Study of the relationships between forage productivity, quality, legume fixed nitrogen and soil fertility on organic dairy farms and approaches to overcome edaphic limitations.

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The main purpose of this study is to investigate the link between productivity and quality of forage on long term organic and transitional dairy farms and how it relates to the fertility of soils on these farms.   Soil fertility is important to support legumes that will supply nitrogen back into the soil while providing for high quality feed. We also want to show that improving soil phosphorus availability and legume biological nitrogen fixation can be achieved without the use of synthetic mineral phosphorus fertilizers. The project is designed to document the sustainability of forage management and soil nutrients under organic management and to provide management strategies for organic producers to maintain their forage and therefore livestock productivity. The specific research objectives are to determine the relationship between forage productivity, quality, botanical composition and legume fixed N and soil fertility status, on organic and transitional farms. In addition, we aim to evaluate and develop strategies to overcome any soil biological or chemical limitations to maintaining forage legume nitrogen fixation. No studies to date in Canada have characterized forage quality and botanical composition under organic dairying and the relationship to farm management and P status of farm components. It is hoped that we will identify options for producers to remain sustainable in this critical aspect of their production system. Our overall goal is to develop innovative strategies for improving forage quality and productivity on organic dairy farms.