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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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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Farewell to Sally Westaway
17th Dec 2020
This week we say goodbye to the wonderful Sally Westaway. Sally has worked within the ORC’s agroforestry team on a range of projects since 2013. The last 7 years have been so much fun and…
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Farming the Future 2020: New projects for ORC
17th Dec 2020
ORC is pleased to be partners in two projects funded by Farming the Future's Year 2 Grant-pool. A National Network of Agroforestry Farms and Influencing Policy to Support Farm Woodland and Agroforestry from the Ground-up…
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Effective weed management strategies for UK organic arable crops
16th Dec 2020
Oxfordshire organic farmer Philip Day, is conducting a survey of UK organic arable farmers, as part of his MSc in Organic Farming at SRUC, Aberdeen, to assess how they manage weeds in their crops. The…
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A Christmas message from Lucy MacLennan
15th Dec 2020
https://youtu.be/tuNQK77SROg Our Chief Executive Officer Lucy MacLennan with a Christmas message for our friends and supporters
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Ramial woodchip production and use on farm
15th Dec 2020
Woodchip can increase soil organic matter, water holding capacity and nutrient levels of soils. Senior Agroforestry Researcher Sally Westaway reflects on the conclusions and outputs of the WOOdchip for Fertile Soils (WOOFS) project. Contractor spreading…
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Agroforestry and the Basic Payment Scheme
11th Dec 2020
ORC welcomes the recognition by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) of the benefits of agroforestry with new guidance on how agroforestry can be compatible with the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). This is a major breakthrough…
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Agroforestry: Trees on upland farms webinar
7th Dec 2020
Agroforestry webinar, led by the Soil Association, as part of the WRFFC Conference which was held from 16-19th Nov 2020. Speakers include Tim Pagella (Bangor University), Dr Lindsay Whistance (Organic Research Centre) and Gareth Davies…
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Roadmap to a greener farming future
7th Dec 2020
ORC welcomes Defra's roadmap for a transition to deliver a better, fairer farming system in England. We strongly support the participatory approach and are involved in three of Defra's Environmental Land Management 'Test and Trials'.…
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UK organic Control Bodies recognised by EU but uncertainty remains
4th Dec 2020
The EU Commission has approved a regulation to recognise all six of the UK organic Control Bodies as certifying to an equivalent EU standard until 31 December 2021, for the purpose of trade in organics.…
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We want to hear from you!
30th Nov 2020
Complete our survey and win a bottle of wine! At the ORC, we are always looking at ways to strengthen our communication and make sure you as a reader receive the most interesting and relevant…
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Impact of Flock Health Clubs
30th Nov 2020
New paper published in ‘Livestock Science’ this month. The article assesses how Flock Health Clubs improve farmer-vet relationships and measures of flock health & welfare. The paper's authors include ORC's Marion Johnson and Nicola Noble…
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Organic Research Centre builds on research focus with the appointment of Dr Will Simonson
5th Nov 2020
The Organic Research Centre (ORC) has announced the appointment of Dr Will Simonson as the new Head of Research. Dr Simonson replaces Dr Bruce Pearce, who stepped down from the role last month after 21…
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RABI extends support for farmers with new wellbeing initiative
20th Oct 2020
Charity’s evolving strategy aims to reach more farming people http://www.rabi.org.uk/kooth With 2020 bringing ever greater levels of uncertainty and unexpected changes, pressures on the farming community continue to grow. As part of a new package…
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Farewell to Bruce and Anja
1st Oct 2020
This week we sadly bid farewell to two long-serving members of our team - Bruce Pearce and Anja Vieweger - with more than thirty years of service between them! Dr Bruce Pearce joined Elm Farm…
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One year in, one year to go: Assessing Public Good delivery on farm
30th Sep 2020
ORC researchers and advisors are now at the halfway point of one of their Environmental Land Management scheme: Test &Trials (ELMs T&T). Led by the Soil Association, this project is looking at the capacity of…
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Calling all organic producers - write to your MP on mutual equivalence
25th Sep 2020
The NFU is calling all organic farmers and growers to write to their MP to express their concerns about securing mutual equivalence between UK and EU organic standards. This is following a letter written to…
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First open source detection test for a gene-edited GM crop
7th Sep 2020
Greenpeace, together with other non-governmental organisations, non-GMO food associations and a food retailer, announced that the first-ever public detection method for a gene-edited crop has been successfully developed and published. The new research refutes claims…
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