Innovative Technology and Sustainable Development of Organic - 1.

Preface
I owe a very special thanks to Svend Christensen, my former research leader at the department of
Agricultural Engineering, who gave me the possibility and motivated me to start this PhD work on
implementation of innovative technology in organic dairy production in Denmark. Eleven years of
work as an advisor and five years as scientific manager of the organic research farm Rugballegaard in
Horsens ignited my interest in research. However, the odds of accomplishing a promotion to Doctor of
Philosophy were bad for a person whose career had so far focused on practical field work, and the time
when study and education was diurnal passed long ago. I was warned many times, and it took some
time to decide, but eventually it also became the motivation to accomplish the task started. The next
obstacle to overcome was to find scientific supervision for a topic as unusual as multidisciplinary
assessment of technology and organic dairy farming. Here the unique talents of Akke van der Zijpp in
Wageningen were the next inspiration needed to start. She completely understood and accepted my
primary motivation and interests, and guided the obviously much too broad spectrum of ideas, towards
a focused and scientific approach of the topic. Without doubt, the special analytical and systematical
talents of Imke de Boer supplemented this start, and guided the process of this research, from data
analysis to scientific writing of this final result. Turbulence in the location of the research center
Bygholm, and the many months of debate interfered with the continuation of the PhD work, and at
times made it hard to concentrate. Especially when, for a year, I was given the responsibility to
coordinate the research group “Automation and system engineering”. With patience and respect, my
supervisors, colleagues and friends continued to assist and motivate me to proceed. Finally the faculty
of agricultural sciences from Aarhus University agreed upon a new structure of the research center,
with allocation in Foulum in the north of Jutland. Here too, the new staff supported this PhD work and
made it financially possible to complete my degree. Not in the least, I wish to mention also the
stimulating cooperation with Troels Kristensen from the department for Agro-ecology and
Environment at Foulum, who’s quick and clear responses always supported me. In addition the
practical experiments had never been accomplished without the great help of Gorm Veggerby, the daily
manager of the research farm. Farmers and advisors in Denmark and The Netherlands had agreed to
spend time in cooperating with answering detailed questions and to discuss farm management and
economic topics. The sessions were meaningful and met with enthusiasm from their side. Finally the
everlasting faith of Karin in my ability and the necessity to finish the job was unbelievably important
for me.
I am convinced this thesis is interesting for many, and I hope it can contribute to further understanding
and knowledge.
Frank W.Oudshoorn
Foulum, October 2009.