Organic Corn and Soybean Farming Use 30% Less Energy

[Guest guest]

Organic Corn and Soybean Farming Use 30% Less Energy

 

Organic farming produces same corn and soybean yields as conventional farms, but

consumes less energy and uses no pesticides, study finds.

By Susan S. Lang

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Organic farming produces the same yields of corn and soybeans as

does conventional farming, but uses 30 percent less energy, less water and no

pesticides, a review of a 22-year farming trial study concludes.

David Pimentel, a Cornell University professor of ecology and agriculture,

concludes, " Organic farming offers real advantages for such crops as corn and

soybeans. " Pimentel is the lead author of a study that is published in the July

issue of Bioscience (Vol. 55:7) analyzing the environmental, energy and economic

costs and benefits of growing soybeans and corn organically versus

conventionally. The study is a review of the Rodale Institute Farming Systems

Trial, the longest running comparison of organic vs. conventional farming in the

United States.

" Organic farming approaches for these crops not only use an average of 30

percent less fossil energy but also conserve more water in the soil, induce less

erosion, maintain soil quality and conserve more biological resources than

conventional farming does, " Pimentel added.

The study compared a conventional farm that used recommended fertilizer and

pesticide applications with an organic animal-based farm (where manure was

applied) and an organic legume-based farm (that used a three-year rotation of

hairy vetch/corn and rye/soybeans and wheat). The two organic systems received

no chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/July05/organic.farm.vs.other.ssl.html

 

 

 

Caroline Collard

 

World's first fully certified organic skin, body, oral and health care products

www.happyandhealthy.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Play Santa's Celebrity Xmas Party, an exclusive game from