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The Use of Herbs in Pastures: An Interview Survey Among Bio-Dynamic and Organic Farmers with Dairy Cattle

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Abstract

Lack of knowledge about the effects of herbs in pastures and the frequency of their use by today's organic farmers has limited the development of new methods to improve animal health compatible with organic farming principles. Understanding farmers' agricultural practices is an early step in a participatory research process. With this in mind, we conducted a two-tiered, semi-structured survey of Danish organic farmers with dairy cattle to begin documenting their practices. Out of 350 farmers, 255 completed a mailed questionnaire – a response rate of 73%. Of these participating farmers, 66 (26%) confirmed their use of herbs in pastures. Caraway was sown at an average rate of 500 g of seed per hectare by 60 (91%). Of these, 32 used solely caraway, while 7 used it in combination with parsley. Twenty-one used caraway together with herbs other than parsley. Six used one or more herbs, not including caraway, such as chicory, chervil, dill, fenugreek, great burnet, and salad burnet. Further details concerning cultivation, convictions, observed effects, and information sources were obtained through telephone interviews. The results of this study would indicate that more research in this field is called for.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Laboratory of Toxicology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 9 Ridebanevej, Copenhagen, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Naja W. Smidt & Leon Brimer

Authors
  1. Naja W. Smidt
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  2. Leon Brimer
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Correspondence to Leon Brimer.

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Naja W. Smidt is a M.Sc. student in agricultural sciences at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark.

Leon Brimer is an Associate Professor of chemical food safety at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark. His research focuses on the interface between chemistry and biology with special emphasis on aspects of cultivation, processing, and use of plants with physiologically active components (toxins).

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Smidt, N.W., Brimer, L. The Use of Herbs in Pastures: An Interview Survey Among Bio-Dynamic and Organic Farmers with Dairy Cattle. Agric Hum Values 22, 355–363 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-005-6051-3

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