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The Current State and Future Directions of Organic No-Till Farming with Cover Crops in Canada, with Case Study Support

Author

Listed:
  • Heather M. Beach

    (Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Ken W. Laing

    (Orchard Hill Farm, 45415 Fruit Ridge Line, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3S9, Canada)

  • Morris Van De Walle

    (Vandeholm Farms Ltd., 560 Emily St. R.R.#1, St. Marys, ON N4X 1C4, Canada)

  • Ralph C. Martin

    (Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

Abstract

Eliminating regular tillage practices in agriculture has numerous ecological benefits that correspond to the intentions of organic agriculture; yet, more tillage is conducted in organic agriculture than in conventional agriculture. Organic systems face more management challenges to avoid tillage. This paper identifies factors to consider when implementing no-till practices particularly in organic agronomic and vegetable crop agriculture and describes techniques to address these factors. In some cases, future research is recommended to effectively address the current limitations. The format includes a literature review of organic no-till (OrgNT) research and two case studies of Ontario organic farmers that highlight no-till challenges and practices to overcome these challenges. Cover crops require significant consideration because they are the alternative to herbicides and fertilizers to manage weeds and provide nutrients in the OrgNT system. Equipment requirements have also proven to be unique in OrgNT systems. In the future, it is recommended that researchers involve organic farmers closely in studies on no-till implementation, so that the farmers’ concerns are effectively addressed, and research is guided by possibilities recognized by the practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather M. Beach & Ken W. Laing & Morris Van De Walle & Ralph C. Martin, 2018. "The Current State and Future Directions of Organic No-Till Farming with Cover Crops in Canada, with Case Study Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:2:p:373-:d:129634
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caroline Halde & Samuel Gagné & Anaïs Charles & Yvonne Lawley, 2017. "Organic No-Till Systems in Eastern Canada: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-15, April.
    2. John M. Wallace & Alwyn Williams & Jeffrey A. Liebert & Victoria J. Ackroyd & Rachel A. Vann & William S. Curran & Clair L. Keene & Mark J. VanGessel & Matthew R. Ryan & Steven B. Mirsky, 2017. "Cover Crop-Based, Organic Rotational No-Till Corn and Soybean Production Systems in the Mid-Atlantic United States," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Anthony Trewavas, 2001. "Urban myths of organic farming," Nature, Nature, vol. 410(6827), pages 409-410, March.
    4. Erin M. Silva & Kathleen Delate, 2017. "A Decade of Progress in Organic Cover Crop-Based Reduced Tillage Practices in the Upper Midwestern USA," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Jonas F. Weber & Christoph Kunz & Gerassimos G. Peteinatos & Sabine Zikeli & Roland Gerhards, 2017. "Weed Control Using Conventional Tillage, Reduced Tillage, No-Tillage, and Cover Crops in Organic Soybean," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-13, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Somasundaram Jayaraman & Yash P. Dang & Anandkumar Naorem & Kathryn L. Page & Ram C. Dalal, 2021. "Conservation Agriculture as a System to Enhance Ecosystem Services," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Caroline Brock & Douglas Jackson-Smith & Subbu Kumarappan & Steve Culman & Cathy Herms & Douglas Doohan, 2021. "Organic Corn Production Practices and Profitability in the Eastern U.S. Corn Belt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.

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