News

UK Farmers Assembly on New GM
22nd Feb 2021
The UK Government wants to deregulate genetically modified (GM) crops and animals. Genetic modification (originally known as genetic engineering and now rebranded as ‘gene editing’) is being promoted as an essential tool in the farmer’s…
Posted in Events, News and events
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Showcasing farmer-led research
22nd Feb 2021
Are you interested in alternatives to on-farm plastic, drought resilient pastures, or techniques to boost deeper burrowing earthworms? Innovative Farmers has created a series of interactive pages to showcase some of the latest farmer-led research.…
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Intercropping to boost agroecology in European Agriculture
19th Feb 2021
This event is a joint effort of the ReMIX and DIVERSify projects to boost the adoption of intercropping and delivery of its ecosystem services in Europe. The event is a perfect opportunity to discuss how…
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We call on supermarkets to show leadership on GMOs
10th Feb 2021
A joint letter signed by ORC asks retailers to refuse to stock products made from untested and unregulated genetically engineered plants and animals produced using a new technique called ‘gene editing’. Leaders from food, farming,…
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Why organic – contributing productively to future farming and food policy
10th Feb 2021
New English Organic Forum (EOF) report presents a clear, consolidated and compelling case for organic farming. Produced as an organic industry-wide blueprint, Why organic – contributing productively to future farming and food policy sets out…
Posted in News, News and events, Policy
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New ration planning tool for poultry and swine - Training
8th Feb 2021
Formulating feed using calculation software in organic is a challenge. This new tool improves the feed database to meet the needs of organic farmers! Within the scope of the OK-Net EcoFeed project, the Ration Planning…
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Soil Analysis and Management for Organic Dairy Systems
4th Feb 2021
Online meeting to discuss the results of the EIP-Agri soils project Organic farming is fundamentally based on management of soil life and ecology to optimise forage and crop productivity. This dependence on soil life distinguishes…
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ORC welcomes Colin, Pip and Rowan
25th Jan 2021
We are very pleased to welcome three new members to our team Colin Tosh joins us as Senior Agroforestry Researcher from the Centre for Behaviour and Evolution at Newcastle University where he was a lecturer…
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Growing Beyond Monoculture
25th Jan 2021
Final episode in the DIVERSify web series goes live https://vimeo.com/491073274 As part of the EU Horizon 2020 research project DIVERSify, researchers have been working on investigating the viability of species mixture cropping as an alternative…
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This Good Earth released
21st Jan 2021
Eco-film-maker calls for prosecution of corporate polluters for crimes against humanity. Corporate chiefs whose companies knowingly poison the planet in pursuit of profit should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity says the award-winning director of…
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Diverse cereal

It's Seed Week!
21st Jan 2021
Celebrate Seed Week with us Einkorn population We’re delighted that throughout this week, from 18th to 22nd of January, we celebrate The Gaia Foundation’s Seed Sovereignty Programme's fourth Seed Week. Through story, articles, videos and podcasts, Seed Week highlights the…
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GMOs and gene editing in agriculture: the benefits of regulation
20th Jan 2021
How does organic & non-organic food and farming avoid contamination with GMOs? Why is it so relevant for food production that GMOs are regulated? Which disruptions can be expected from gene editing and new genetic engineering in general?  These…
Posted in Events
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BIOFACH / VIVANESS eSPECIAL
19th Jan 2021
The eSPECIAL version of the BIOFACH/Vivaness trade fair pairing will carry over key aspects of the familiar in-person event and the accompanying Congress into the digital world. Industry representatives can look forward to three full…
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Breeding and Seed sector innovations for organic food Systems
19th Jan 2021
Online conference of EUCARPIA Organic and low input section jointly with LIVESEED, BRESOV, ECOBREED and FLPP projects. This is the 5th conference of the EUCARPIA Organic and Low Input Section since its establishment in 2007, which…
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Troubleshooting the practical challenges of intercropping
19th Jan 2021
Intercropping offers promising opportunities to improve sustainability, reduce pest and disease burden, and enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to stresses such as climate change and market pressures. There are practical challenges, however, in growing,…
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Lindsay with a couple of free range pigs

Veganuary
18th Jan 2021
Our Senior Livestock Researcher Lindsay Whistance wrestles with the arguments for and against Veganuary in this blog On Boxing Day evening, at the slowing down of festive indulgences, I began to speculate about what should…
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DiverIMPACTS Crop diversification, workload and quality of life
18th Jan 2021
A new survey led by ORC hopes that through improving understanding of the impact of crop diversification on workload and quality of life we can provide recommendations for policy makers, training and education providers and…
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ORFC Global highlights
15th Jan 2021
As the dust settles on the huge global phenomenon that was the 12th Oxford Real Farming Conference we highlight on some of the sessions ORC were involved with (directly or indirectly). All sessions were recorded…
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Organisations unite against neonicotinoids decision
12th Jan 2021
On the 8th January a request by British Sugar and the NFU to get an emergency derogation to use neonicotinoids in sugar beet was approved. Given the evidence of unacceptable harm to wildlife (especially bees)…
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HRH Prince Charles launches the Terra Carta (Earth Charter)
12th Jan 2021
ORC welcomes the launch of the Terra Carta from HRH The Prince of Wales’ Sustainable Markets Initiative. The Terra Carta provides a roadmap to 2030 for businesses to move towards an ambitious and sustainable future;…
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What do you think about growing pulses in UK agriculture post-BREXIT??
11th Jan 2021
Is it a realistic option? We are interested in your views If we want to develop more sustainable agricultural systems for the UK then we need to focus on their sustainability, their impact on the…
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‘The Big Farming Survey’ – RABI to deliver insight into impacts on farming people
11th Jan 2021
Today (January 11th 2021), RABI launches the largest ever research project relating to wellbeing of farming people. This wide-ranging survey will consider for the first time the relationship between physical health, mental wellbeing and health…
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Diagram of a piece of DNA being removed by tweezers.

Consultation on future of gene editing launched by Environment Secretary at Oxford Farming Conference
7th Jan 2021
Plans to consult on gene editing, which according to Defra 'could unlock substantial benefits to nature, the environment and help farmers with crops resistant to pests, disease or extreme weather and to produce healthier, more…
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Preparing the Evidence Base for Post-Brexit agriculture in Scotland - Case studies on alternative payments
7th Jan 2021
This report led by the Organic Policy, Business and Research Consultancy, with ORC, SRUC and IEEP on the future public good agricultural policy options for Scotland including organic farming, agroforestry and rewilding has now been…
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