During the last year the Baltic Sea project BERAS was completed and the EU approved the final report. The daughter project LOF (Local Organic Food) was completed in April 2007 and its final report has been sent away. We now wait for the approval of the final payment of balance of the EU-financed part. We presented a wide information of the BERAS results during the beginning of 2007, with seminars at the ministries of agriculture or/and environment in Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland (Appendix 1).

The field experiments with the long-term stable manure experiments on all parcels of the five- year crop rotation have been carried through according to plan. Because of lack of financial means material with last year’s samples are still not analysed. Thanks to a special grant from Adda Svennedahls Lantbruksfond of 150 000 SEK, a comparing analysis of mineral substances (macro-nutrient substances and micro-element substances) in bread grain from different growing systems has been carried through. These showed clear results with high contents of most analysed mineral substances for farms with ecological recycling agriculture compared to conventional agriculture with specialised grain growing. Analyses were made of winter wheat on the field experiments of 2006. The analyses showed higher values for most mineral substances in the fully biodynamic experimental treatments. Corresponding analyses are now made during the on-going year.

 

During the year soil analyses were also started of the long-term field experiments and the results have been compared to previous long-term field experiments in Järna concerning soil fertility characteristics like humus contents (total-carbon and total-nitrogen) in top soil and subsoil, accessible amount of plant nutrient elements, earthworm activity and micro-life activity. Like in previous experiments it is shown here that the humus content increases annually when biodynamic farming with both crop rotation with ley  and recycling of stable manure are carried through consequently. The soil works here as an important “carbon sink” corresponding the amount of 2 tons carbon dioxide per ha and year. During the year these results have been presented at a number of conferences and in a number of publications and international scientific publication is to be expected during this on-going year.

Thanks to the subvention from Adda Svennedahls Lantbruksfond (basic subvention 300 000 SEK and specially levelled subvention 150 000), FORMAS according to a letter of settlement from the department of agriculture (basic subvention 500 000 SEK), Ekhagastiftelsen (spreading the results of the BERAS-project 200 000 SEK), Lars Kjellenberg (postgraduate project on the impact of different growing methods on the quality of nutrition and health in carrots, 300 000 SEK), Stockholms county council (subvention to the national self-financing of the LOF-project, 160 000 SEK) , the Energy authority (subvention for the improvement of  the biogas plant of the Institute, 290 000 SEK, Stiftelsen Olle engquist Byggare ( the evaluation of the long-term field experiments, 260 000 SEK) and La Bruyère Blanche ( spreading the results of the BERAS-project within the Baltic Sea area, 93 000 SEK).

 

During the year Artur Granstedt received a price from the Baltic Sea Fund at Åland, 100 000 SEK, for his work for the Baltic Sea environment during many years and BERAS project. To be able to carry the work through, individual gifts from the institute’s circle of friends and the specially instituted Baltic Sea Fund for the continuation of the Baltic Sea work, have been of crucial importance.

 

Besides smaller presentations at conferences and field walks, Artur Granstedt has given 18 lectures totally, written 19 articles, 9 of which for international scientific papers (2 are still being scientifically reviewed). There have been two more publications as co-writer and scientific supervisor. The popular science articles partly have a debate character. These articles have mainly been in connection to the BERAS-project, but also to the long-term fertility experiments at Skilleby experimental farm (attachment 2).

 

Agronomist MS Lars Kjellenberg continues his postgraduate studies of quality in carrots at SLU in Alnarp in co-operation with growers in different places in the country and as a part of the long-term field experiment at Skilleby (attachment 3). One of the two existing reports on this subject during 2006 are available at the web side of the institute: http://www.jdb.se/sbfi/files/Pa jakt efter den perfekta moroten 2006.pdf.  Even the English version of the results of the 32 years of the long-term K-experiment has been published at Organic Prints, which is an Internet based library for ecological research. The link is: http://orgprints.org/10765/.

 

The Biodynamic Research Institute (SBFI) has as a part of the Rudolf Steiner College explored the possibility of starting a Masters education in Biodynamic Agriculture. Cooperation with the Plymouth University has been applied for and an answer is to be expected this year. Lars Kjellenberg is responsible here.

 

Members of staff at the institute have been Associate professor  PhD Artur Granstedt (director), Agronomist MS Lars Kjellenberg (food quality, carrot-project),  Joan Mulder (secretary), Agronomist MS Hans von Essen (economic account, LOF-project and BERAS),  Per Henriksen (field experiment and analysis), Lars Evers (biogas), Thomas Geiger (biogas) and externally PhD Thomas Schneider (studies of nutrient leaching), Markus Larsson (MS economist, postgraduate student BERAS), PhD Olof Thomsson (environment consequence analysis BERAS) and Magnus Granstedt (responsible for accounts).

 

During the on-going year a continuing application of the Baltic Sea Project BERAS is in preparation. Its direction will be the conversion of conventional farms in the Baltic Sea Area, based on the already built up experience and knowledge, which have been reported in the seven reports from the BERAS-project. After the results of the work, an extended conversion to an agriculture based on effective recycling of plant nutrients will be necessary in order to handle the serious environmental situation of the Baltic Sea and we need studies on how such a conversion can be made. Basic recourses are needed both to draw up a renewed EU-application and for the part, that has to be financed by own national financial means.

 

 

Järna, December 17, 2007.

 

 

 

 

Compilation of on-going activities on BERAS dissemination and implementation during March an April 2007

 

4 Helsinki Finland. Consultation with The Biodynamic Association in Finland

5-6 Helsinki University Nordic seminar for postgraduate students.

9-10 Folkhol, Norway Human soil. Seminar with lecture: Agricultural- and food

productions contribution to climate change

15 Malmö Doctors for environment. Seminar with lecture

18 Riga, Latvia Coalition Clean Baltic. Consultation conference with representatives for environment organisations around the Baltic Sea (coordinator Gunnar Norén, CCB).

19 Riga, Latvia Meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Lubova Tralmana and represent of environment and General Secretey of the organic farmers associatio n in Latvia Dzidra Kraismani and CCB Elita

Kalringa)

20 Kaunas, Lithuania Seminar for agricultural students, planet Earth day

21 Vilnius, Lithuania Meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Gediminas Almantas, head of the Division of Agro-environment and Organic Farming and Kristina Kibildyte, Environment Protection Agency.

22 Tallin, Estonia (the Baltic Sea day). Meeting and seminar at the Ministry of Agriculture (Eiri

Lipmets) with represents from environment, Estonia Agriculture

Research Centre, Estonia Organic Farming Foundation (Airi Vetamaa) and CCB (Maret Merisaar)

28-29 Helsinki, Finland Meeting at the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of

Agriculture and Forestry (State secretary Pekka Pesonen and

director Mariatta Kempainen-Mäkelä. Follow-up meeting of the

BERAS-project at the Biodynamic Association

30 Stockholm Algore meeting and short communication with the Swedish

Member of the EU-Commission Margot Wallström

 

1 Hamburg, Germany Introduction conference about sea-environment, organized by the

Green Party in Germany, lecture about BERAS

2 Berlin Meeting with persons responsible for environment and agriculture in Germany

3 Poland Meeting on Environmental Ministry Warschau with chief inspector Dr Marek Haliniak, head of the department of Water Management professor Marek Gromiec.

 

Denmark Not yet

 

St. Petersburg, Russia Speak with Mikhail Demitriev Program Coordinator

16 University of Stockholm Lecture department of Biological-Geological Science, BERASresults

19-20 Stockholm Minister conference in Saltsjöbaden, attending outside meeting

with information material according agreements.

23-24 Turko, Finland EU INTERREG –conference, Poster presentation BERAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

08.08. Outdoor lecture through the fields of Skilleby

14.08. Lecture at the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, BSPC, August 14-15, Mariehamn, Åland

31.08. Visit from FORMAS

5-6.09. INES Council Meeting in Espoo, Finland

08.09. Lecture. Doctors for environment. Elit Hotel, Malmö. You become what you eat.

16.09. Participating at Ultuna Kunskapsgård. The tasteful food nearby.

21.09. Lecture.Senior level Örjanskolan.

04-05.10. Participating . Norrtälje, Campus Roslagen. Growing Society.

05-07.10. Lecture at the sixth Baltic Sea NGO Forum, Saltsjöbaden

26-29.10. Participant of the Vertreterkreis. Madrid, Cercedolla, Sierrra Guardarama, Spain.

09-10.11. Lecture. Archipilago Sea 2006. Research Conference, University nof Turku, Finland

21.11. Lecture at Vårdinge By.

22.11. Participating at a live sent TV4 debate, at 22.30-23.30

24.11. SLU. Lecture about BERAS

05.12. Participating at the LOF-conference, Dorset, England

07.12. Lecture about BERAS at Emerson College, England

 

08.01. Visit to Jerker Engborg. Lecture at Ekologiska Odlarföreningen, Föllinge

25.01. Lecture. Mat, makt och möjligheter. Threefold Society seminar, Folkkulturcentrum, Stockholm

07-10.02. Agricultural Conference. Goetheanum, Dornach, Switserland. Carbon and Climate Change. Lecture, seminries

23-24-02. Seminar at Herta, Denmark

04.03- 24.04. BERAS presentations, see attachment 1

16.03. Lecture at the Stockholm University

27-29.04. Contributian at meeting at Goetheanum, Dornach, Switserland

10-15.05. Contribution at Baltic Sea Region Program conference, Hamburg, Germany

28-29.06. Conference “Agronomical factors in current farming”; Department of Farming Systems of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.

 

1. Granstedt, A., 2007. Biodynamisch: Humus fördern – Klima schützen. Lebendige

Erde 5/2007.

2. Granstedt, A., 2007. Carbon in the soil and in interchange with the environment.

Landwirtschaftliche Tagung 7.-10.2.2007 am Goetheanum. Freie Hochschule für

Geisteswissenschaft. Sektion für Landwirtschaft.

3. Granstedt, A., 2007. Baltic Sea eutrofication and nutrient Balances. Fragmenta

Agronomica 3/2007. Institute of soil Science and plant cultivation. State research Institute Pulawy. Polish Society for agronomy. Pulawy, Poland.

4. Granstedt, A. 2007 Farming systems in Sweden. In Proc. Scientific conference organized by Faculty of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Department of

5 Farming Systems of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, in co-operation with Committee of Crop Cultivation of Polish Academy of Sciences. Not yet published.

5. Granstedt, A., Tyburskij, J., Stalenga J. 2007. Nutrient Balances in Organic Farms.

Baltic Sea project BERAS (Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society), results from Poland. In: Scientific Agricultural conference Poznan August, 2007.

6. Nykänen, A.1, Granstedt, A.2, Jauhiainen, L.3 & Laine, A.4 Preceding crop effect of clover rich leys and soil nitrogen. Submitted to Biological Agriculture and

Horticulture.

7. Granstedt, A., Seuri, P., Thomsson O. Ecological Recycling Agriculture to Reduce Nutrient Pollution to the Baltic Sea. Submitted

 

8. Granstedt, A. 2007. Kretslopp är jordbrukets framtid. Land Lantbruk, 12 October,

9. Granstedt, A., 2007. Visst skiter bönder ner. Aftonbladet. 6. August 2007.

10. Granstedt, A., Kahiluoto, H., Seuri, P., Thomsson, O., 2007. Östersjön star inför en

ekologisk kollaps. SVT Forum. June 21, 2007.

11. Granstedt, A., 2007. Vom Denken zum Handeln. Das Goetheanum Nr. 12, 23. March

2007.

12. Granstedt, A., 2007. Nu möts makthavarna och avgör Östersjöns öde. Länstidningen.

19. April 2007.

13. Granstedt, A., 2007. Tar Sverige ledningen I arbetet med Östersjön? Länstidningen.

20. April 2007.

14. Granstedt, A., 2007. Ökologisches Recycling in der Landschaft und dessen

Bedeutung für die gesellschaftliche Entwicklung und geringere Verluste an Stickstoff,und Phosphor in der Ostseeregion. Lecture Rathaus Hamburg, Kaisersaal. Die Grüne.

April 1, 2007.

15. Granstedt, A., 2006. Övergödning bakom näringsbrist. Svenska Dagbladet. August 3,

2006.

16. Granstedt, A. 2006. Världen och vi blir vad vi äter. Hufvudstadsbladet Helsingfors.

September 8, 2006.

17. Granstedt, A., 2006. Hur ser statsministern på Östersjöns framtid? Länstidningen

Södertälje, Juli 12, 2006.

18. Granstedt, A., 2006. Vad är partierna beredda att göra för att rädda Östersjöns miljö?

Gotlands Tidningen, Juli 6, 2006.

19. Granstedt, A., 2006. Felaktigt om kväveläckage. Miljöaktuellt. 2006.

 

 

Lars Kjellenberg 06/07

 

During the year different sides of the issue of quality have been taken up. First of all efforts have been made to describe the connection between sensorial and chemical methods in a better way. The ambition is to have worked out routines, which can contribute to securing the taste in biodynamic products within a few years. The main part of the work will be within the frame of post-graduate studies at the University of Agriculture. The studies consist of carrots only today, but hopefully the experiences can be extended to other crops. Samples are collected from 6 biodynamic farms, the field experiment at Skilleby and from a wide circle of organic carrot growers in Bergslagen. The last-mentioned is done in cooperation with Elisabet Ögren of the county administrative board in Västerås and Åsa Röhlin, agricultural society in Värmland.

A first field experiment has been carried out to study the taste varieties in different kinds of biodynamically processed carrots.

This work resulted in a slight change of methods concerning the production analysis and complemented with an analysis of C-vitamin content.

During the year a co-operation has been developed between biodynamic researchers in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The aim is to start a project on Demeter quality and health during 2008. The group has been meeting 4 times during this period.

 

From the project the following publications are at hand:

Sweet and bitter taste in carrots.

Introduction report at the LTJ-faculty at SLU. Can be found at lank: http://pubepsilon.slu.se/perl/search/simple?meta=kjellenberg&_order=bytitle&basic_srchtype=ALL&_satisfyall=ALL

På jakt efter den perfekta moroten. Anual 2006. On SBFI’s webb side: http://www.jdb.se/sbfi/files/Pa jakt efter den perfekta moroten 2006.pdf.  

During the year even the English version of the results of the 32 years of the long-term K-experiment has been published at Organic Prints, which is an Internet based library for ecological research. The link is: http://orgprints.org/10765/.

 

A number of seminars and taste samplings have been held about the question of taste of biodynamic carrots, among others at Skillebyholm in November 2006, in co-operation with Initiativ Närodlat, at Alnarp in february 2007 and Holma gård in May 2007. A half-time seminar for the post-graduate project is planned on January 16 2008. A meeting concerning quality questions is being planned for January or February 2008.

Meetings with the growers in Bergslagen have been held in November 2006, March 2007 and June 2007.

 

 

 

They are available at: http://www.jdb.se/beras/

 

Executive Summary (not in printed version)

BERAS executive summary final.pdf

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk nr 40. Sepännen, L (ed.). Juli 2004.

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk nr 41. Granstedt, A., Seuri, P. and Thomsson, O.. December 2004.

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk nr 43. Sumelius, J. Possibilities for and Economic Consequences of Switching to Local Ecological Recycling Agriculture

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk nr 44. Kakriainen, S., von Essen H. (ed.). Augusti 2005.

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk nr 46. Granstedt, A., Thomsson, O. and Schneider, T. January 2006.

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk nr 47. Sumelius, J. & Vesala, K.M. (eds.). December 2005.

 

Ekologiskt lantbruk Eds: Kahiluoto, H., Berg, P.G. , Granstedt, A., Fisher, H. & Thomsson, O June

2006