• Livestock and animal welfare

Animal welfare in the context of organic farming means giving livestock the freedom to unfold as much as possible their natural behavior and designing the environment where they grow to provide positive experiences for the animals. All conceived in the appropriate framework for the benefit of the farmers as well. A flagship of DKOOF is the development of the cow-calf contact systems in Danish organic dairy farms. Dairy farmers, advisors, scientist dairy cooperatives have been working closely for developing strategies to prolong the time cow and calf spend together. This is especially relevant for improving health and welfare of cows and calves. You can see the relevant information on the development of the topic here:  Ko med kalv (icoel.dk). Other relevant projects in relation to the topic of cow-calf contact systems and to other initiatives in relation to animal welfare are GrazyDaiS, GroBeat, ENTRANCE and PATHWAYS living lab.

• Soil fertility building

Activities and living lab sites set up around the need to expand the organic area by raising economic and environmental benefits, yields and robustness of organic crop production. Soil fertility is the basis for the organic farmer´s production and economy and for a secure and climate-friendly food supply for current and future generations. DKOOF co-develop measures, optimize and document methods for building robust soils through diversification of plant growth and the addition of organic matter, to supply crops with sufficient nutrients and act as a buffer in both dry and wet weather conditions. The efforts are focused on reduced tillage, composting, use of effective cover crops and regenerative agriculture messures. A flagships in this relation is CarbonFarm (icoel.dk) which developes agronomic, economic, environmental (e.g., biodiversity and climate) attributes, and to document the effects of implementing sustainable and resilient cropping systems.

• Resilient and effective cropping systems

Improving organic yields is a key challenge of the organic sector and DKOOF focuses on sustainable and low emission farming practices to adapt to organic principles and climate change, which means identifying, using and breeding resilient crops in systems with a conservation agriculture focus. We collaborate towards: (1) testing, adapting and scaling organic agricultural practices to increase productivity and quality; (2) developing cropping systems that are resilient to climate change, pests and diseases. The biggest initiatives in this context is the Danish national organic field trial scheme which is a unique collaboration between national experts, local advisors and farmers on field trials and demonstrations. These trials cover a vast scheme within crops, varieties, fertilizers use, nutrient management, crop rotation, weed control, among other aspects. They are carried out at farm sites under normal field conditions and in close collaboration with the farmers. You can find more information about this initiative here: Økologiske Landsforsøg (icoel.dk).

DKOOF sites promoting functional biodiversity in and around the fields, which is the part of nature and biodiversity that influences and creates value in organic production. We work at all levels from field to landscape with the aim of developing robust farming systems in balance with the environment. This is based on the ecological cycle principle of growing food in systems that protect and benefit the shared environment, landscapes, climate, habitats, biodiversity, air and water. With focus on Mixed crops and integrated systems, agroforestry as a climate and biodiversity tool, the value of functional biodiversity for agricultural production.