Grassland Management for Organic Farmers

The grass/clover ley plays a central role in most organic farms, since clover is the foundation stone for the whole farm system through its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. As well as providing an essential forage resource for farm livestock, grass/clover swards also form the basis of sustainable organic arable rotations. This comprehensive book is a practical manual on all aspects of organic grassland management and presents down-to-earth advice backed up by scientific explanation. It is aimed primarily at organic farmers, agricultural students, and organic advisers and consultants. However, it will also be useful to the ever-increasing number of non-organic farmers wishing to move towards a low-carbon, clover-based grassland system. The author discusses making the most of clover and soil nitrogen mineralization, the role of herbs and the efficient recycling of manures. He also covers reducing weed invasion, clean grazing systems for worm control, efficient grazing and conservation, and minimizing the environmental impact of grassland. AUTHOR: David Younie is a graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen and Reading and has been involved in organic farming research, teaching and consultancy since the mid-1980s. He was the Scottish Agricultural College's senior consultant in organic farming, providing advice to farmers, industry and governments in Scotland, the UK and in Europe, until he retired in 2008. David still teaches on the SAC Postgradueat Diploma in Organic Farming. ILLUSTRATIONS: 46 colour photographs, diagrams