Organic yields show promise

Two seasons of cropping at Lincoln University's organic farm have produced encouraging results.

Kowhai Farm, a 57ha mixed-cropping farm set up by Lincoln and Heinz Wattie Australasia, has produced up to 13 tonnes of green beans a hectare, compared with 10 to 11 tonnes from traditional farming.

Heinz Wattie agricultural systems manager Bruce Snowdon says the results show that the view that organic yields are lower than conventional is incorrect.

However, Mr Snowdon says that despite the results, the uptake of organics by conventional farmers in Canterbury has been "a trickle".

- NZPA