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Introduction in organic farming systems
E in biologische Landbausysteme
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:28:19
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 Introduction text
Content
PART I: Introduction in Organic Farming Systems Introduction 1. Historical Development of farming systems and agropolicies in Switzerland Lecturers: P. Fried O. Schmid 2. Basic princples and requirements organic farming and critrical analyis of roots of organic farming and other farming systems. Lecturers: O. Schmid, U. Niggli PLANT PRODUCTION 3. Sustainable rotations, fertilisation concepts and plant nutrition Lecturers: P. Fried, O. Schmid 4. Strategies for breeding and choice of varieties without Genetic Engineering Lecturers: P. Fried Ch. Arncken 5. Soil fertility – Results from long-term trials Lecturer: P. Mäder 6. Careful soil tillage and non-chemical weed control Lecturer: O. Schmid 7. Plant protection and habitat management Lecturers:P. Fried/D. Dubois ANIMAL PRODUCTION 8. Animal friendly animal husbandry, breeding and feeding in the practise Lecturer: E. Meili 9. Animal health and complementary veterinary medicine Lecturer: P. Klocke ECONOMY, MARKET 10. Economic aspects of the conversion to organic farming: micro and macro-economic aspects Lectuers: O. Schmid, U. Niggli 11. Excursion Organic farm S. Spahn, Dietlikon Lecturers: O. Schmid / P. Fried 12. Marketdevelopment of label production IP and Organic Lecturers: Date: F. Rothen, IP Suisse/ Toralf Richter (angefragt) 13. Conversion excercice Lecturer: O. Schmid/P.Fried
Resources
Lecture Notes
Written manuskcripts from lecturersScripts can be downloaded from the web with an access code fromwww.elbanet.ethz.ch/wikifarm/fried
Literature
Recommended: Otto Schmid Otto and Robert Obrist Robert (2001): Biologischer Landbau. Landwirtschaftliche Lehrmittelzentrale, Zollikofen, 267 pp (in German) Nic Lampkin Nic, Measures Mark and Padel Susanne (2006): Organic Farm Management Handbook. University of Wales, Aberystwyth. 240pp
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | E in biologische Landbausysteme |
|
2 h weekly |