Assessing the production impacts of a large-scale conversion to organic farming in England and Wales.

Published online
17 Oct 2018
Content type
Bulletin article; Conference paper
URL
https://www.thuenen.de/media/publikationen/thuenen-report/Thuenen-Report_54_Vol2.pdf

Author(s)
Smith, L. & Jones, P. & Williams, A. & Kirk, G.
Contact email(s)
laurence.s@organicresearchcentre.com & adrian.williams@cranfield.ac.uk & p.j.jones@reading.ac.uk

Publication language
English
Location
UK & England & Wales

Abstract

This paper explores the implications for food production and land use of a 100% conversion to organic farming in England and Wales. The analysis uses a large-scale Linear Programming model of England and Wales agriculture, incorporating estimates of yield differentiated by soil and rainfall class, plus nitrogen supply/offtake and livestock feed demands. Results revealed a major reduction in arable crop outputs, milk and monogastric livestock under all organic scenarios. The results suggest that innovative approaches to nitrogen management on organic farms and changes in farm structure could help to improve the performance of organic agriculture at a national level, although this would require a major shift in current practices.

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