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Cropping
This is the Overview
What do the standards list as specific soil management objectives?
Maintaining optimum soil structure, biological activity and fertility is a major objective of the standards.
Are there any products approved for weed control?
No, the use of chemical and hormone herbicides, within the crop, at the edge of fields, within or below hedgerows, headlands and pathways is prohibited.
Are there any products approved for pest and disease control?
Yes there have been a number of products approved for pest and disease control, although as for weed control, the primary line of defence must be based on cultural and management strategies (e.g.
What are the four main requirements in the design of organic crop rotations?
The 4 main requirements in the design of organic crop rotations are:
Are seed dressings allowed?
Seed dressings which are based on mercury or organo-chlorine compounds are not allowed.
Is continuous arable crop production permitted?
No, continuous arable cropping is not permitted, nor indeed desirable, from the point of view of avoiding a build up of weeds, and soil-borne pests and diseases.
Is it necessary to use organically-grown seed?
Organically grown seed should be used when available.
Is propcorn storage of grain permitted?
No, but crimping is allowed with propionic, lactic, acetic and formic acids for grains and pulses.
Which types of farming systems fit the organic rotation guidelines best?
Farming systems that include livestock fit organic rotations the best.
What materials are permitted for use as silage additives?
The use of bacterial, molasses and enzyme silage additives is permitted.
Can organic and non-organic crop products be stored together?
It is possible to store organically produced products in the same building as conventional products, so long as there is a physical barrier between the two (e.g.