Agricultural areas provide habitat for a wide range of species with many species also depending on this agro-ecosystem. At the same time, agriculture depends on ecosystem services provided by species in the system, such as pollinators and natural pest controllers. Other organisms contribute to disease or weed suppression or to nutrient cycling and water management. The groups of organisms that provide these ecosystem services are known as "functional groups".
This report provides an overview of how to promote beneficial organisms for pest control and pollination in open crops. Read More
Fodder beet is back in the spotlight more and more. In five years, the acreage in Flanders has increased by some 20%. In the Netherlands, the area has even increased sixfold in that period! Due to their value in crop rotation, variety trials for fodder beet were conducted as part of FABulous Farmers. In this article, these were bundled with the results of other variety trials from Flanders. That way, you can choose the variety that best suits your farm! Read More
ZLTO (Zuidelijk Landbouw en Tuin Organisatie, NL) presented their policy paper to the agricultural deputies of Zeeland and Brabant during a visit to the farm of arable farmer Pieter Maris. Maris is one of the three West-Brabant demo farms in the FABulous Farmers project. He applies several FAB measures, such as non-inversion tillage and cover crops. You can find the article here (Dutch only). Read More
Wico Dieleman from ZLTO (Zuidelijk Landbouw en Tuin Organisatie, NL) was interviewed by the magazine 'Proef'. He explains what the FABulous Farmers in Brabant and Zeeland do. He also explains how ZLTO monitors the results of the taken FAB measures, for example by counting insects and butterflies. You can find the article here (Dutch only). Read More
Two researchers from ILVO (BE) and Hooibeekhoeve (BE) wrote an article about the FABulous Farmers project. This article was published in 'Bodem', a magazine about sustainable soil management.
Within this article they explain the different FAB measures and show how the project aims to build a (international) farmers netwerk and wants to raise awareness about FAB in the larger society.
You can read the full article here (Dutch only). Read More
