Organic Farming and Pest Management

By Rose Swartz June 11, 2023 15 mins read 97 Views

Organic farming is a system that relies on natural processes and resources -- no chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used.

It protects the soil, plants, animals and environment by preventing the spread of pests and diseases.

The primary control measures in organic farming include crop rotation, mulching and fungicides. In addition, organic farmers also avoid the use of synthetic pesticides that disrupt natural control.

How does organic farming approach pest management?

Organic farmers manage pests and diseases by using techniques to improve soil quality, water availability and nutrient cycling. These techniques are usually based on crop rotation, cover crops and compost.

In addition to these techniques, farmers can use biological methods that target insect populations like caterpillars, beetles and bollworms. This helps to reduce pest populations to a level where they can be controlled without the use of synthetic pesticides.

In addition to biological control, organic farmers also employ preventative strategies such as crop diversification and resistant varieties. This helps to increase the resilience of their farming systems to extreme weather conditions and pest pressure.

Natural enemies of pests

There are several types of natural enemies that can be used to control pests on farms. Some are predators, while others are parasitoids or pathogens.

Predators, such as lacewings and ladybird beetles, feed on caterpillars, aphids, and other pests. Some nematodes and protozoans also attack these insects, causing disease or death.

These natural enemies can be introduced to an area where they don’t occur naturally, which is called classical biological control. This involves collecting a variety of native natural enemies from the pest’s natural environment and releasing them in a controlled manner.

Another approach is to augment existing natural enemies by releasing them in high densities at certain times in the season. Unlike traditional spray programs, these releases can be made at lower pest densities and have been shown to produce better results.

Killer spices

Spices like cinnamon, clove and pepper have a scent that bugs find unappetizing. These spices can be used as insecticides to repel pests from organic fruit and vegetable crops.

In fact, killer spices are becoming organic agriculture’s main weapon against insect pests because they’re safe for human and animal health. A decade of research in Canada has shown that these essential oils from plant spices, such as clove, thyme and mint, can kill or repel insects at levels similar to chemicals commonly used in pesticides, according to researcher Murray Isman, Ph.D.

In addition to killing or preventing pests, organic farming practices may reduce dietary exposure to harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and some types of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. This improves biodiversity, soil health, water quality and climate change mitigation.

Chemical sprays

Organic farmers avoid synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, but some pesticides are allowed for use in organic production. They help control mold, mildew, fungi, weeds, bacteria, and insects that can damage crops or carry plant diseases.

When spraying, it’s important to adhere to label recommendations on both the amount of chemical and how much is deposited onto target areas. If sprayers aren’t calibrated or if they’re improperly angled, it can lead to uneven deposition that results in untreated areas and streaks.

Insecticides can be used to help manage a variety of pests, including whiteflies and cabbageworms. However, approved insecticides have specific modes of action and toxicity requirements, so they should be used as a last resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is organic produce healthy?

There are two types. One is those that we grow ourselves, and the other is those that we buy from someone else. There are exceptions, but the majority of the time, both options will be available. Organic food is healthier as it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals or pesticides, herbicides and preservatives.

There are many supermarkets that sell organic food across North America and Europe. Organic food can now be found in many grocery stores making it easier for shoppers to choose organic products.

Organic food has higher levels vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which makes it more delicious and nutritious. Organics can be grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This ensures that organics do not pollute our soil or water supply.

The USDA regulates organic agriculture practices. This means that farmers must adhere to strict guidelines to make sure organic produce is safe to consume. There are currently over 30 million acres of US farmland certified as organic.

Organic food is often cheaper than traditional food. Customers pay less for the same amount in calories, protein and nutrients. Organic farms are able to charge lower prices for their crops because they don't have to purchase expensive chemical inputs like insecticides and fungicides.

According to Environmental Working Group, organic food can be 10 percent cheaper per pound when compared to conventionally produced food. If you care about the health of yourself and your family, consider switching to organic food.

Organic food is becoming a popular option to the standard American diet. It is often believed that organic food is exclusive to specialty markets and gourmet restaurants. Organic food can easily be found in any regular grocery store across the United States.

Recent years have seen a significant increase in organic food sales. Organic food market value in the US increased from $21 billion to $43 billion in 2007 to reach $43 billion in 2012.

What are organic products good for skin?

Organic skincare products are free from synthetic chemicals, such as parabens and phthalates, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, sodium laurylsulphate. Talc, triclosan. titanium dioxide. triethanolamine. Vitamin A palmitate.

Organic skincare products do not contain artificial colours, fragrances or preservatives.

They also help to preserve healthy skin and prevent premature aging.

These are some of the terms that you will see when you shop for organic products

Paraben Free – These chemicals are used to preserve certain cosmetic products, but can cause serious health problems if taken in large amounts.
Fragrance Free - The product is not scented with essential oils.
Cruelty free - No animals were endangered during the manufacturing process.
Natural Ingredients - the ingredient is naturally derived from the plant or animal.
Vegan/Vegetarian: The ingredients can be either vegetarian or vegan.
Gluten-Free means that the formulation was free of gluten.
Non-Toxic-The product doesn't contain any toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and/or other harmful substances that could be harmful to your health.
Biodegradable product - when thrown out, the product will disintegrate into harmless components.
Pesticide-Free - No pesticides have been used in the growing and harvesting process.
GMO-Free is a declaration that the product does not contain genetically modified organisms.
Certified Organic means that all the ingredients have been grown using methods that protect the soil and water as well as wildlife and farmers.

What are organic beauty products?

Organic Beauty Products do not contain synthetic chemicals like petroleum, parabens or phenoxyethanol. They are made from natural ingredients and don't contain artificial preservatives. These ingredients are found in most conventional beauty products, including cosmetics, perfumes, shampoos, etc.

Organic beauty products are not tested on animals and contain no genetically modified organisms.

The USDA defines organic production as "a system of production which fosters the cycle of resources" and it has been used since decades to refer to foods grown without pesticides.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for eco-friendly beauty products because of the harmful effects of chemical substances on our bodies.

These include skin irritations, cancer, hormonal imbalance, premature aging, and allergies.

Organic beauty companies are committed to creating healthy and safe products for consumers while protecting the environment.

Statistics

Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)
Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)

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How To

What you need to know about organic foods

Organic foods are produced from plants and animals that have been grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or other additives. They are not subject to genetic engineering or the use of ionizing radioactive radiation. Food must not contain artificial colours, flavour enhancers or preservatives. It must not contain genetically altered organisms (GMOs).

In 1845, Justus Von Liebig, an aspiring chemist and entrepreneur, created the term "organic" to describe the properties found in manure. Most people associate organic production with food. In this context, organic means that the product contains only naturally occurring substances such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals that occur in nature.

Globally, organic product consumption has increased significantly over the last decade. According to recent statistics, about 50% of the global population consumes at-least one organic product every day. This figure is on the rise and it is predicted to grow to 70%, 88%, and 90% in 2020.

There are many reasons that organic products are chosen by consumers. Organic produce can be preferred for its taste; others prefer them for being healthier. Some people believe organic farming to be more environmentally friendly. But, non-organic products can be a good choice because there are ethical concerns over the treatment and welfare of farm workers.

Organic foods are more expensive than those made from conventional food, though prices may vary by country and region. There are many factors that affect the cost of organic food. One factor is whether there are enough land available for organic farming. Another factor is the cost of inputs, labour and materials required for organic agriculture. Transport costs, marketing costs and taxes are also important. The average European price for organic food is 10% lower than the regular price.

These are the main differences in organic and conventional food.

Organic produce does not contain any chemicals, hormones or antibiotics.
Organic livestock is fed grasses or grains instead of corn and soybean meals.
Organic milk is only produced from cows that are fed all-natural hay and pasture grasses.
All organic raw materials are certified organic.
No pesticides or other harmful chemicals are allowed during organic fruits and vegetables' growth and processing stages.
Organic meat, poultry, and seafood do not undergo radiation.
Pre-soaking is recommended for raw nuts and seed.
Organic cooking is only allowed to use healthy oils.
Organic eggs are laid naturally by hens.
Organic honey is extracted by bees using traditional methods.
Organic chocolate is made with beans and sugar grown organically.
Organic wines are made without chemical additives.
Tea leaves made from organic plants are grown by hand.
Organic cotton can be grown without pesticides or herbicides.
Organic flours and cereals do not contain artificial colours or preservatives.
All-natural shampoos and soaps don't contain harsh chemicals.
All-natural cosmetics are safe for your skin.
All natural cleaning solutions are biodegradable and eco-friendly.
All natural bodycare products are dermatologically tested for hypoallergenicity.
All-natural products for personal hygiene are safe to use with babies as they don't contain any fragrances.
The all-natural baby formulation does not contain bovine serum nor animal rennet.