Innovative Technology and Sustainable Development of Organic - 1.

EES issues was based on a comprehensive literature survey (Oudshoorn and de Boer, 2005) in
combination with focus group interviews.
Quantify identified sustainability indicators
In chapter three, indicators which were identified and selected to measure relevant sustainability issues,
were quantified. The literature survey (Oudshoorn and De Boer, 2005) and participatory research
(chapter two) concerning technology implementation on organic dairy farms concentrating on AMS,
highlighted several sustainability issues. There was concern regarding the economic consequences of
introducing AMS and also concern regarding the grazing possibilities connected to animal welfare and
milk quality. Therefore EES indicators on 9 organic dairy farms with AMS and 9 organic farms with a
conventional milking system were quantified.
Investigate technical aspects of grazing; eutrophication, animal behaviour, and milk quality
In chapter four, technical aspects of eutrophication in relation to grazing time were investigated.
Results of participative research (chapter two) and parallel studies on grazing practice on organic dairy
farms using AMS (Kramer, 2006) revealed that many farmers had problems with satisfactory grazing.
For the organic AMS farm wanting to maintain milk yield level and comply with the standards of
grazing, the question was: how much grass can a cow eat in a short time span, without compromising
animal welfare or milk quality? These questions were addressed in a grazing experiment, where
grazing time was varied between 4, 6.5, and 9 hours. Grass uptake was registered, together with cow
behaviour, urination, and defecation frequency.
Scenario analysis; three alternative futures for organic dairy in DK
In chapter five, a scenario analysis on three alternative futures for organic dairy farming in Denmark is
described. The assessment of use of innovative technologies, described in the previous chapters,
comprises sustainable development, meaning not only the present status is considered but also where
the future is heading for. This scenario analysis presents three alternative futures based on visions and
goals derived from stakeholder opinions and expert estimates, and were determined at farm level.
Extrapolated data from the quantification research (chapter three) were integrated together with
historical data and expert knowledge.
Thesis Frank W. Oudshoorn 15