Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
elements are graded according to CFEAT grading system. After the grading an analysis
of the farm as a whole is carried out, and the strengths and development targets are
identified. The assessment is compiled into the computer programme development by
ProAgria ARAC, where the grading and summing up of the points takes place
automatically. The programme also shows the distribution of the points of the farm as a
whole, and of the different sub-sections.
The objective of the measurement is to proceed step by step to finally set the targets
that are the most sensible for each farm and to which the farmer can commit. To reach the
highest category the farm must take voluntary measures to enhance the environment and
animal welfare. The result of the assessment can be compared with the result of the
previous measurement, which shows the trend in the different elements and makes it
possible to follow the realisation of the objectives in a reliable way. If the farmers wish to
do so, they can also compare the results of their farm with the other farms in the reference
data.
Plant production
Plant production is the most extensive and important of the three main sections. It
comprises the planning of arable farming and implementation of cultivation measures,
storage and handling of animal manure, storage of silage, and flow and utilisation of
nutrients on the whole farm, i.e. on arable lands and in cattle. The functioning of the farm
machinery and quality of the work are also assessed.
In CFEAT the ability of the different plant and animal production processes to utilise
the available nutrients is assessed through the nutrient balances. Nutrient balance
calculation is a central element in the environmental assessment. It is based on the
assessment of the utilisation of nutrients on the farm. In the farm-gate balance the kilos of
nutrients purchased for the farm are summed up, and the kilos of nutrients sold are
deducted from this. Nutrients are purchased mainly in feedingstuffs and fertilisers, as well
as in seed and live animals. Nutrients exit the farm along with the crop and animal
products, as well as to some extent in manure. CFEAT includes the calculation of the
farm-gate balance indicating the utilisation of nutrients on the whole farm, field balance
showing the nutrient flow in the cultivation, and cattle balance showing the utilisation of
nutrients in cattle production.
Further issues to be taken into account are the so-called manure balance and use of
animal manure. Manure balance is the difference between the nutrients excreted in
manure and those spread on the field. The calculation monitors nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium, and they are calculated as kilos of nutrients per farm, hectare of arable land,
livestock unit of litre of milk produced. The balance shows the amount of nutrients which
has not been utilised in the nutrient flow on the farm, i.e. which has evaporated, leached,
or accumulated in the soil or plants.
Water and waste management and landscape management
Water and waste management and landscape management are divided into the
treatment of waste and wastewater, tidiness of the farmyard and landscape management.
This section is concerned with the quality of the household water and organisation of
waste management, as well as the assessment of landscape management and
environmental diversity on the farm. Special emphasis is on the waste treatment methods,
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