Pancyprian TS Organic Ag (Pract.) cheat sheet

Organic production rests on four IFOAM principles: health, ecology, fairness and care; these underpin all technical decisions, not just input substitution.

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 is the governing EU legal framework for organic production and labelling; it replaced Regulation (EC) 834/2007 from 1 January 2022.

The precautionary principle applies: where a practice's long-term impact is uncertain, the option that preserves soil, biodiversity and animal welfare is chosen.

Organic systems rely on ecological processes (legume nitrogen fixation, crop rotation, predation, composting) rather than soluble mineral fertilisers or synthetic pesticides.

The 'principle of equivalence' allows imported products to be sold as organic if produced under equivalent standards and control arrangements.

GMO use, ionising radiation and synthetic inputs are prohibited; the closed-loop ideal favours on-farm fertility sources (manure, compost, green manure) over purchased inputs.

Conversion period logic: annual crops usually 2 years before sowing, perennials 3 years before first harvest; the land must be under a certified control body during this time.

Organic integrity depends on physical separation of organic and non-organic units, documented traceability from field to packhouse, and annual inspection.

Operators must notify the competent authority and contract a control body before marketing any product as organic; inspection occurs at least once a year.

A certificate of conformity states operator name, address, product categories, area (ha) and validity; buyers should verify it on the control body's public register.

Labelling rules: the EU organic logo requires at least 95% of ingredients by weight to be organic; the code of the control body must appear near the logo.

Non-organic ingredients are permitted only if listed in the annexes and only up to 5% of agricultural ingredients; the percentage must be stated where the logo is used.

In-conversion labelling is permitted for products harvested after at least 12 months of conversion (annual crops) and 24 months (perennials).

Records required: field register (crop, variety, inputs, dates), input invoices, harvest and sales records, livestock registers, veterinary treatments, seed derogation documents.

Derogations (e.g. non-organic seed use, parallel production) must be requested in writing and approved in advance by the control body; unauthorised use is a non-compliance.

Non-compliances are graded minor/major/critical; critical non-compliances can lead to decertification and withdrawal of the certificate for the affected products.

Target soil pH for most organic field crops is 6.0-7.0; below 5.5, phosphorus and molybdenum availability drops and aluminium toxicity rises.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is maintained above roughly 2-3%; each 1% SOM in the top 20 cm holds about 20-30 t C/ha and improves water-holding capacity.

C:N ratio above ~25:1 slows mineralisation and causes temporary N immobilisation; below ~15:1 releases N quickly, so compost is usually matured to 10-15:1.

Legume green manures fix roughly 50-200 kg N/ha per season depending on species, biomass and soil conditions; vetch and clover are typical Mediterranean choices.

Base saturation and cation exchange capacity guide liming: calcium carbonate for acid soils, and gypsum only where calcium is needed without raising pH.

Soil structure assessment in the field: slake test, spade test for compaction layers, earthworm counts and infiltration rate are practical monitoring tools.

Nutrient budgets (inputs minus outputs) are the accepted planning tool: manure, compost, fixation and deposition are inputs; harvest, leaching and erosion are outputs.

Cover crops and mulches reduce erosion, nitrate leaching and weed germination while feeding soil biology; bare soil overwinter is avoided.

Thermophilic composting reaches 55-65 °C for at least 3 consecutive days (windrow) or 5 days (static pile) to sanitise pathogens and weed seeds.

Moisture target 50-60% (squeeze test: a few drops emerge); aeration is provided by turning or forced ventilation, with 3-5 turns typical for windrows.

Carbon-to-nitrogen blend: aim for an initial 25-35:1 by mixing carbon-rich straw/prunings with nitrogen-rich manure or green residues.

Maturity indicators: dark colour, earthy smell, C:N near 10-15:1, stable temperature after turning, and no recognisable feedstock (except woody fragments).

Compost must be stored covered on impermeable or firm ground away from watercourses to prevent leachate and nutrient loss.

Manure application limits under EU organic rules: max 170 kg N/ha/year from livestock manure, equivalent to about 340 kg N/ha for cattle slurry at typical densities.

Raw manure is incorporated or composted before planting leafy crops; composted material is preferred where harvest and application are close.

Vermicompost and compost teas are used as biological inoculants; compost tea must be produced hygienically and used fresh to avoid pathogen risk.

Rotation rule: never grow the same family in the same bed in consecutive years; a minimum 3-4 year return interval reduces soil-borne disease and nematode build-up.

Rotation sequence: follow a nitrogen-demanding crop (cabbage, cereals) with a legume, then a root or bulb crop, then a fertility-building green manure.

Intercropping and undersowing (e.g. clover under cereals) suppress weeds, fix nitrogen and cover soil between main crops.

Transplanting gives a competitive head start against weeds and allows precise spacing; direct sowing suits fast-germinating, dense-canopy crops.

Variety choice favours locally adapted, disease-resistant open-pollinated or organic-certified seed; seed derogations must be documented.

Mechanical weed control timing: blind harrowing before emergence, tine weeding at the white-thread stage, ridging for potatoes and root crops.

Mulching with straw, prunings or biodegradable film conserves moisture, buffers temperature and reduces weeding in Mediterranean summer crops.

Crop planning records include sowing/planting date, preceding crop, green manure species, expected yield and pest history to justify rotation decisions.

IPM hierarchy: prevention (rotation, resistant varieties, sanitation) → monitoring (traps, thresholds) → biological control → authorised plant protection products as a last resort.

Under EU organic rules, only substances listed in Annex I of Reg. 2021/1165 may be used; copper compounds are capped at 28 kg/ha over 7 years (max 6 kg/ha/year).

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) targets lepidopteran larvae; it must be ingested, so it is applied to foliage in the evening to reduce UV degradation.

Sulphur and potassium bicarbonate are used against powdery mildew; sulphur is ineffective below about 18-20 °C and can cause phytotoxicity above 30 °C.

Pheromone mating disruption and mass trapping reduce codling moth and other pests; yellow/blue sticky traps are used for monitoring whitefly and thrips.

Conservation biocontrol: flower strips, hedgerows and beetle banks support predators (lacewings, hoverflies, ground beetles) that suppress aphids.

Weed management integrates stale seedbed, solarisation (clear film, 4-6 weeks in hot months), mechanical cultivation and competitive canopy cover.

Sanitation: remove and destroy diseased plant debris, disinfect tools and rotate greenhouse beds; avoid overhead irrigation where foliar disease is a risk.

Ruminants must have access to pasture or roughage area whenever weather and ground conditions allow; permanent housing is not permitted for cattle, sheep and goats.

Stocking density limit: 170 kg N/ha/year from manure, which constrains animal numbers per hectare according to species and age.

Minimum weaning ages: calves 3 months, lambs and kids 45 days, piglets 40 days; early weaning is a welfare non-compliance.

Space allowances (indoor, per head): dairy cow ~6 m², calf ~1.5 m², breeding ewe ~1.5 m², sow ~2.5 m² plus farrowing area; poultry have specific per-bird limits.

Prophylactic use of chemically synthesised allopathic medicines is prohibited; vaccination and hygiene management are allowed.

Withdrawal rule: after allopathic treatment, at least double the legal withdrawal period applies; a maximum of 3 courses per animal per year (1 for animals with a lifespan under 1 year).

Tail docking, beak trimming and similar mutilations are restricted; only permitted where necessary for welfare or hygiene, with anaesthesia for older animals.

Housing requires natural light, ventilation, bedding (straw or suitable material) and group housing for social species; isolation pens only for short-term veterinary reasons.

Reference evapotranspiration (ET0) × crop coefficient (Kc) gives crop water use; irrigation replaces ETc minus effective rainfall (ETc = ET0 × Kc).

Drip irrigation delivers water to the root zone with efficiency around 90%, versus 70-80% for sprinklers and 50-60% for furrow; drip also reduces foliar disease.

Soil moisture monitoring with tensiometers or capacitance probes: irrigate when available water drops to about 50-60% of total available water for most vegetables.

Irrigation scheduling avoids leaching of nitrate below the root zone; split applications and deficit irrigation at tolerant growth stages save water.

Buffer strips (5-10 m) of grass or shrubs along watercourses intercept sediment, nutrients and pesticides; riparian zones are kept uncultivated.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones restrict manure application timing and total N; never apply manure or compost to waterlogged, frozen or snow-covered ground.

Water sources for organic production must be documented and protected from contamination; drip lines and wells are checked for backflow and leaks.

Mulch and organic matter raise infiltration and water-holding capacity; contour planting and terracing reduce runoff and erosion on slopes.

Tractor stability: keep the centre of gravity low, widen the wheel track on slopes, and use four-wheel drive and differential lock only as conditions require.

Three-point linkage categories I-IV are matched to implement size; check PTO speed (540 or 1000 rpm) and guard condition before connecting.

Pre-operation checks: engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, tyre pressure, brake function, lights, and PTO master shield.

Implement calibration example: to apply 200 kg/ha with a 4 m spreader, the required output per metre travelled is 0.08 kg/m; adjust the metering gate against a measured tray test.

Hitching and unhitching: lower implements to the ground, switch off engine, apply parking brake and block wheels before working underneath.

Hand tools are matched to the task: oscillating hoe for between-row weeding, tine weeder for blind harrowing, ridger for earthing-up potatoes.

Machinery hygiene: clean soil and plant debris from implements between fields to prevent movement of soil-borne pathogens and weed seeds.

Maintenance schedule: grease nipples and check hydraulic hoses for cracking; replace damaged PTO shafts; store fuel in bunded tanks away from watercourses.

Harvest at the correct maturity: tomatoes at breaker-to-pink for distant markets, full colour for local sale; leafy greens in the cool of the morning.

Field heat removal is critical: pre-cool produce to about 0-2 °C for leafy crops within hours of harvest; hydrocooling suits leafy vegetables and root crops.

Storage conditions: potatoes 4-8 °C in the dark (light causes greening and solanine), onions 0-2 °C and dry, apples 0-4 °C with controlled atmosphere where available.

Ethylene management: separate ethylene producers (apples, tomatoes, ripening bananas) from sensitive crops (leafy greens, cucumbers, carrots).

Post-harvest handling must avoid bruising and maintain the cold chain; packing areas are cleaned and pest-monitored to prevent contamination.

Labelling for retail: EU organic logo, control body code, place of production and the organic ingredient statement; record lot numbers for traceability.

Marketing channels for small organic farms include farm-gate sales, farmers' markets, box schemes, restaurants and short supply chains; each has different volume and packaging needs.

Traceability requires one-up, one-down records: lot number links harvest date, field, buyer and delivery note, enabling recall if needed.

Pesticide handling (including authorised organic products): read the label, wear gloves, coveralls and eye protection, and observe the pre-harvest interval and re-entry period.

Sprayer operators must be trained and certified; store products in a locked, ventilated, labelled cabinet away from feed and water sources.

Tractor rollover is the leading cause of farm fatalities; use ROPS with a seatbelt, and never carry passengers unless a proper seat is fitted.

Manual handling: lift with bent knees, keep loads close to the body, and use wheelbarrows or trolleys for loads above about 25 kg.

Heat stress prevention in Mediterranean summers: work early, drink water frequently, take shade breaks; watch for confusion and cessation of sweating (heat stroke signs).

Noise above 85 dB(A) requires hearing protection; check machinery guards, PTO shields and that all drives are covered before operation.

First aid kit, fire extinguisher, mobile phone and emergency numbers must be available on site; report incidents and near-misses in a farm log.

Hand tool safety: keep blades sharp (dull blades slip), carry tools with edges down, and store them with guards in a dedicated, locked store.