Comparison of farming systems

Abstract

Aim:The students shall:- be familiar with the basic elements of ecological farming systems,- be able to make comparisons between farming systems (organic, integrated, conventional)Structure:Part I: 14 times 2 weekly lecturesPart II: one study week with excursions, exercices and workshops (end of spring semester)

Objective

see short description

Content

Part II: Comparision of farming systems IP and Organic 1. EVALUATION ECOLOGICAL MEASURES, METHODOLOGICAL TOOLS Date: Monday, 25. 06. 07 Morning: ETH, lecturer room Evaluation of ecological measures in the Swiss Agriculture: - Soil, Water and air - use of inputs - Biodiversity Lecturers: D. Dubois/F. Herzog/E. Spiess P. Fried, Lukas Pfiffner Afternoon: Excursion to Federal Research Station ART Reckenholz-Zürich - wild-flower stripes, - Prognosis systems - Landscape development systems - Sustainability evaluation systems farm Lecturers: ART experts: H.R. Forrer/T. Musa, L. Eggenschwiler 2. SYSTEM-APPROACH ORGANIC FRUIT PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY Date: Tuesday 26. 06. 07 Excursion to FiBL Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Frick Morning: - Systemapproach in Organic Fruit Production Afternoon: - System approach in Animal Husbandry: Herd management, Animal health, Parasite management Lecturers: Franco Weibel, Eric Wyss, P. Klocke, V. Maurer, E. Meili and other FiBL- experts 3. SYSTEM APPROACH CROP PRODUCTION AND SPECIAL CROPS Date: Wednesday 27. 06. 07 Morning: Exkursion to Dällikon/ZH, Bruederhof, Organic farm and farm in Höri - System approach in Intensive Crop Production and field vegetable production, - Biogas production on a farm Afternoon: Exkursion nach Murimoos/AG - Systemansatz in crop production – compost, soil tillage Lecturers/farmers: Kaspar Günthardt, Alois Kohler, u.a. Overnight in the reagion of Entlebuch 4. GRASLAND¬SYSTEME UND REGIONAL-ENTWICKLUNG Date: Thursday 28. 06. 07 Morning: Excursion to Napfmilch-Initiative - Systemapproach in fodder production (farm visit) - Regional milc and herb production and processing (visit) Afternoon: Excursion to Burgrain/LU - Visit Long-term trial IP-Bio Lecturers: Isidor Kunz, Ruedi Tschachtli, David Dubois, regional advisor 5. ZUKUNFTS-PERSPEKTIVEN, ENTWICKLUNGSPOTENTIALE Datum: Friday 29. 06. 07 ETH lecturer room Morning: - Food Quality in comparison – trends, development potentials - Research programms and deficits in Agrarecology and for IP and Organic - Farm-level development potentials - Evaluation reports about the farms visited. Afternoon: - Future scenarios 2020/2030 for food sector and rural space in Switzerland - Presentation of group works (1. Bioland CH, 2. Free trade, 3. Landscape farming) - Final discussion Lecturers: Gabriela Wyss, Urs Niggli, P. Fried, Students.

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