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Cretan Organic Olive Oil Orchards Produce Similar Quality and YieldsOrganic olives and their oil have a reputation for being healthier and more nutritious, and their demand has grown over the last 40 years in Mediterranean countries. Despite growing evidence that organic practices can increase the quality and nutrition of food crops in general, a study published in Agronomy is one of the first to provide evidence that organic production can improve olive oil quality in Greece.  Researchers from Crete... READ MORE |
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Preliminary study finds organic dairy practices protect cow healthOrganic dairy cows are as healthy as their nonorganic counterparts when it comes to their risk for parasite infections, according to a pilot study from Italy published in Animals. Contrary to nonorganic dairy production, regulations for organic dairy in Europe (and North America) require that cows receive access to pasture and restrict antimicrobial use, increasing their risk for parasites. The pilot study found that organic dairy... READ MORE |
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Replacing some beef consumption with meat alternatives could halve global CO2 emissions by 2050When modeling the benefits of replacing beef consumption with fermented plant protein, a study found that just replacing 20% of global meat consumption with microbial protein alternatives could offset CO2 emissions and deforestation by more than half by 2050. The study’s findings were published in Nature last month. Population growth and dietary shifts toward animal-based products from middle-income countries are projected to increase livestock production in the coming decades. ... READ MORE |
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Can organic wheat farms support more bees than flower patches in nonorganic wheat?As written in Eurasia Review: How effective environmental measures in agriculture are for biodiversity and wild bee populations depends on various factors and your perspective. This is shown by agroecologists from the University of Göttingen, Germany and the Centre for Ecological Research in Vácrátót, Hungary. The research team found that when assessing the effectiveness of different measures, whether in the field (organic farming) or next to the field (flower strips in conventional farming), biodiversity... READ MORE |
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Agriculture at forest edges in Sebitoli alters chimpanzee behavior After learning that hungry chimpanzees feeding on maize fields bordering forests in Uganda benefit from the nutrition of the crops, the same study also points to exposure from pesticides as a drawback. Exposure to pesticides in crops and water can threaten chimp health with deformities and fertility problems. Previous studies in the study’s region link organophosphate, pyrethroid and other pesticide use like carbofuran, an insecticide that was canceled for use by the U.S. EPA in 2009, with negative health effects on... READ MORE |
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Organic practices enhance the flavor of lemons from SpainOne way to highlight the benefits of organic foods is through comparisons of the nutritional and flavor qualities to nonorganic foods. Some argue singular comparisons about something as complex as agriculture hinders discussion on how to overcome its challenges and improve. In light of this, it is useful to know when a farming practice invokes a different outcome, especially with organic interest and acreage accelerating in Europe. This is what researchers in Spain did with a regional variety of lemon called “Fino 49.” A study published in Agronomy this month revealed that lemons... READ MORE |
