The future looks bright for AGRO

Greenhouse gases, agricultural package, agricultural measures, environmental footprints, integrated pest management, organic production ... with the topics that AGRO carries out research in we have placed ourselves smack dab in the centre of society’s hot and current issues. This is reflected in the fact that things are going quite well for the department. 

I am pleased to be able to start the year with several positive news items and to look back on a year that has produced results. The first piece of good news regards research in drainage measures and mini-wetlands with filter. As previously described in AGRO Biweekly (read We made it!), we delivered a project description on time despite the pressure of time and the extent of the task. 

Expectations throughout the summer and autumn were that we would need to establish 5-10 mini-wetlands with filter and that we would need to find about four mill. kroner in our 2017 budget to carry out this public service task. In our description of the project we documented that it is pretty expensive to establish such mini-wetlands – actually quite a deal more than SVANA had originally thought.

It is therefore additionally pleasing that we have received a grant of 15 m. DKK for the project. Another positive aspect is that we already have three mini-wetlands with filter so that we only need to establish three new ones. This past Friday we held a meeting with the key staff in the project where, among other things, it was announced that senior researcher Finn Plauborg, KLIMA, has been appointed as project leader.

I would like to praise the cooperation and unity that the management and staff in DCA and ST have demonstrated during the process. The smooth collaboration contributed to the success of the process despite hurdles and challenges along the way. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark and the staff in AGRO for their good input. 

Focus on climate

Research in agricultural measures, including mini-wetlands, is important for both AGRO’s finances, agriculture and the aquatic environment. Another important area for society is the climate, including knowledge about what we can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, understanding the effects of climate change, and knowledge about what we can do to adapt to climate change. AGRO is also at the forefront in that respect. 

This picture is clearly illustrated on DCA’s theme site regarding climate and agriculture. This site includes a wide range of articles sorted by topic, a list of selected research projects, DCA reports, answers to the authorities, and contact details for experts. In December 2016 DCA published a thematic newsletter about climate and agriculture with five articles – all of which had their basis in AGRO – and which have been used by the press. Yet another article from AGRO was made into a feature article in the daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten (read Er græsdyrkning løsningen på en umulig opgave? (in Danish)).

It was an impressive effort that has helped make AGRO more visible to the outside world. Climate change is an important agenda and one that we will continue to pursue in 2017. 

In this regard, we must also get up close and comfortable with a new concept: paludiculture. This is a type of production that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture significantly. (Read the article ”Våde lavbundsarealer kan gøres produktive og klimavenlige” (in Danish)). As mentioned in the article we only need to develop the technology. AGRO is up for the challenge if only we can acquire the necessary funding. 

In Denmark we can change 20 percent of our carbon-rich land to paludiculture, but the system is not only interesting for Denmark. Paludiculture also has great potential in Europe. In my capacity as Danish representative in the Horizon 2020 programme committee I will bring the idea up on the European level. 

Millions of euros for IPM

Although research in climate measures such as paludiculture and nitrification inhibitors can contribute to solving an important societal problem, it has been difficult to acquire funding for research in these measures. Søren O. Petersen, KLIMA, has written a very relevant feature article about the problem, which has been published in Altinget.dk (read the article (in Danish) AU-forsker: Dokumentationen af indsatsen for et renere miljø halter). 

Despite frustration over rejected applications, there are good news regarding grants. We have received funding for several EU projects, including a large one that we will be coordinating.   

The large project in question is a Horizon 2020 project that Per Kudsk, CROP, is heading and that deals with integrated weed management. The project has 40 partners and has been granted 6.6 mill. euros. Congratulations with that and also to all the others in AGRO who have received grants from the EU, Innovation Fund Denmark and GUDP, among others. 

New manager in Flakkebjerg

Yet another piece of good news is that we have found a new farm manager in Flakkebjerg. Thomas Jensen will begin in his new job as farm manager with us on January 23, 2017. I think he is very talented and that he will be a good person for taking over after Karen Eberhardt Henriksen. 

I have been very satisfied with the process regarding the job description and hiring and would like to thank CROP and MARK in Flakkebjerg for the many good inputs. I would also like to thank Karen very much for her efforts throughout her employment with us. Thomas Jensen will participate in the extended department management on par with the two other farm managers Jens Bonderup Kjeldsen, Foulum, and Henning Carlo Thomsen, Askov. 

In 2016 we created a good framework for continued good work and collaboration. This bodes well for the future. Happy New Year to all!

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