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COG Organic Field Crop Handbook

 

3. Field Crops

Field crops are discussed in this section. The points that have been highlighted are those where organic farming practices differ from conventional farming practices. We do not consider this section to be a complete field guide to these crops, and we strongly recommend that management practices suggested by your provincial agriculture ministry be used to supplement the information presented here.

The crops in alfabetical order are:

3.1 Alfalfa, Clovers and Forage Mixtures

3.2 Buckwheat

3.3 Barley

3.4 Corn

3.5 Flax

3.6 Oats

3.7 Oil radish

3.8 Rye

3.9 Soybeans

3.10 Spelt

3.11 Wheat

 

The crops are discussed under the following headings where appropriate

1. Reasons for crop selection

2. Crop requirements

3. Planting method

4. Crop management

5. As a green manure

6. Harvesting

7. Storage

8. Suitable following crops

Information on recommended varieties has not been included.

Varieites recommended for use under conventional systems may not do as well under organic mangement, because they were selected under a different conditions.and bred to perform using high fertility inputs. In some situations older cultivars have been found to do better than the newer ones. Find out what varieties other organic farmers in your area are growing successfully. If they are different from the ones you usually use it would be worthwhile comparing performance on your own farm.

Much of the information in this section came from farmers in central Canada and therefore it may not always be applicable to farmers in other regions of the country where growing conditions are very different.

 

Copyright © 1992 Canadian Organic Growers. Inc

Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

 

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