vision & mission
vision
We envision a world where we can produce high quality food while protecting the natural environment through farming in respect with nature.
We believe that we can achieve such a sustainable farming system through organic agriculture.
mission
Improving organic agriculture with research, advisory, dissemination and support activities, thus making agriculture more performant and resilient.
This will empower farmers to implement sustainable farming practices in Luxembourg.
aims & objectives
aims & objectives
IBLA sees the purpose and aims of its efforts in research, consultancy, education and communication on topics of organic agriculture.
These objectives are achieved by:
- Research and development of practical methods for organic and biodynamic agriculture; Taking into account nutritional, ecological and socio-economic aspects.
- Research of aspects of agriculture that are socially relevant;
- The establishment of an extension service for agricultural holdings and public bodies, with the aim to provide organic and biodynamic agriculture with the importance it deserves.
- Education of producers and consumers on organic and biodynamic agriculture as well as promotion of cooperation between producers, trade and consumers.
- Promotion of training in organic and biodynamic agriculture at the training and education centres in Luxembourg.
Since 2015, the IBLA has been a registered non-profit organization and has also been recognized as an official research institute in Luxembourg.
board
the board (status 11.04.2017)
President – FELTEN Claude (agricultural engineer)
Vice president – COLLING-VON ROESGEN
Jean-Louis (farmer)
Treasurerer – CONTER Gérard (agricultural engineer)
JACOBS Francis (farmer)
KOEUNE Marco (farmer)
KRIER-BISENIUS Jean-Paul (vintner)
MAJERUS Roland (merchant)
SCHANCK Aender (businessman)
SCHANCK Jos (farmer)
Cash auditors – DORMANS Pierre (farmer)
SIEBENALER Fräns (pensioner)
team
Stéphanie ZimmerDr. Agr. | Director IBLA
+352 621 302 523
Hanna HeidtDr. Agr. | Research and Development
+352 26 15 13-82
Evelyne StollMRes. Env. Analysis and Assessment | Research and Development
+352 26 15 13-87
Laura LeimbrockMSc. Env. Sciences | Research and Development
+352 26 15 13-77
Sabine KeßlerDr. rer. nat. / Dipl. Env. Sciences | Research and Development
+352 26 15 13-82
Kerstin StruweMSc. Env. Sciences | Research and Development
+352 621 512 451
Rudolf LeifertState certified farmer | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 302 522
Gilles AltmannMSc. crop sciences | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 494 485
Sonja KanthakVintner, BSc. org. agri. | Extension Service Viticulture
+352 621 677 351
Mathieu WolterBSc. Agronomy | Research and Development, Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 678 467
David RichardMScEng Agriculture | Research and Development
+352 621 629 217
Jhang FeltenSekretariat
+352 26 15 13-88
Jean-Paul WeisMSc. Animal husbandry | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 392 748
Svenja ZelderMSc. Animal husbandry | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 751 875
extension services offer agriculture
agriculture
The IBLA extension service for your agricultural holding presents itself
- You are a farmer and want to explore the production and business management possibilities a conversion to organic agriculture can offer your farm?
- You have decided to convert your farm to organic agriculture and need competent advice and support during the conversion phase?
- You are already an organic farmer and need help with a specific problem?
- You want to get first insights into the methods of organic farming?
- You want to profit from the benefits of leguminous crops in your crop rotation and need help in variety selection, production technology and the design of your crop rotation?
If one of these situations applies to you, the IBLA agricultural extension service has just the right offers for you. Our advisers have knowledge in all fields of organic agriculture due to their education and many years of practical experience. We combine research and practice and offer a wide range of extension services suited to fit your professional and personal needs. Our advisers are active both on a regional and Europe-wide level to provide you with the best service.
They offer a wide range of advice, from arable land and grassland to animal husbandry and feeding. They are your contact before and during the conversion. Their consulting services include crop rotation, fertilization and soil cultivation in field fodder and crop production with the aim of increasing natural soil fertility and yield potential.
You can profit from their long-standing experience and their knowledge regarding animal health and performance. This includes questions related to breeding, keeping, feeding and ration calculation, as well as grassland-management and improvement.
Variety recommendations are based on the results of our variety trials. Another focus of IBLA is the cultivation of legumes. Here you can benefit from our experience gained through field experiments on cultivation techniques and variety trials. Business analyses and individual support in the implementation of the guidelines for organic agriculture complete our offers in the agricultural extension service.
extension services and further education offers
Take advantage of IBLA's extension service and further education offers and benefit from years of experience in consulting and research. Arrange a personal consultation on your farm or choose from the IBLA modules the one best suited for your farm:
- Module 15.1: Organic agriculture – Pre-transitional initial consultation (for conventional holdings)
- Module 15.2: Organic agriculture – Pre-transition, intensive (for conventional holdings)
- Module 16: Organic agriculture – Transition (for holdings under conversion)
- Module 17a: Organic agriculture (for certified organic holdings)
- Module 17b: Methods of organic agriculture (for conventional holdings)
- Module 8: Legume cultivation (for all holdings)
- Module 9: Group consultation on crop production (for all holdings)
contact extension services agriculture
Rudolf Leifert
Office +352 26 15 13 - 83
Mobile +352 621 30 25 22
Gilles Altmann
Office +352 26 15 13 - 78
Mobile +352 621 49 44 85
Jean-Paul Weis
Office +352 26 15 13 - 93
Mobile +352 621 39 27 48
Svenja Zelder
Office +352 26 15 13 - 94
Mobile +352 621 75 18 75
Mathieu Wolter
Office +352 26 15 13 - 89
Mobile +352 621 67 84 67
extension services offer viticulture
viticulture
The IBLA extension service for organic viticulture presents itself
- You already make use of the natural biological processes in many areas of production and want to explore the production and business management possibilities a conversion to organic viticulture can offer your winery?
- You have decided to change your winery to organic viticulture and you need competent advice and support during the conversion phase?
- You already are an organic winegrower and want the latest information in plant protection during the vegetative phase? You want competent expertise and want to be part of a strong network?
- You want to get insight into organic cultivation methods?
If one of these situations applies to you, the IBLA viticulture extension service has just the right offers for you. Our adviser has knowledge in all fields of organic viticulture due to their education and many years of practical experience. Our adviser is active both on a regional and Europe-wide level to provide you with the best service. The IBLA viticulture extension services combine research and practice and offer a wide range of offers suited to fit your professional and personal needs.
Sonja Kanthak is a government certified winegrower and a communication host, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in organic agriculture and marketing. She is ready to assist you with all questions concerning organic viticulture. She offers individual consulting in organic cultivation in the vineyard and plant protection, as well as organic wine production. Vineyards are carefully managed before, during and after the conversion to organic viticulture with a focus on individual and weather-related conditions. Regular on-site inspection tours in the vineyards, as well as newsletters during the vegetative period, provide you with the most important and up-to-date information. Become part of a growing community that offers exchange with practice and research.
extension services and further education offers
Take advantage of IBLA's extension service and further education offers and benefit from years of experience in consulting and research. Arrange a personal consultation on your winery or choose from the IBLA modules the one that best suited for you:
- Module 23.1: Organic viticulture – Pre-transitional initial consultation (for conventional holdings)
- Module 23.2: Organic viticulture – Pre-transition, intensive (for conventional holdings)
- Module 24: Organic viticulture – Transition (for holdings under conversion)
- Module 25a.1: Organic viticulture – soil fertility (for certified organic holdings (
- Module 25b.2: Methods used in organic viticulture – plant health (for conventional, partially converted and certified organic holdings (>0,1 ha))
contact extension services viticulture
Sonja Kanthak
Office +352 26 15 13 - 85
Mobile +352 621 67 73 51
communication
network of demonstration farms
organic agriculture Luxembourg
Our goal is to provide consumers and conventional farmers, processors and merchants with an insight into organic agriculture and through farm visits, festivals and practice days to our 9 demonstration farms. These visits offer a practice oriented insight into the everyday life on an organic farm and winery, as well as the special quality, the opportunities and challenges of organic agriculture.
In addition, the demonstration farms provide information on their production focus and marketing forms, as well as regional growing conditions. For this reason, organic farms from different regions and with different main branches have been selected to show the variety of organic agriculture in Luxembourg.
If you want to visit one of these demonstration farms, contact us or the farms directly to make an appointment for your visit. The project “demonstration farms organic agriculture” is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer protection/ASTA financed within the framework of the organic action plan in Luxembourg.
A Mechels
The farm is located in the reservoir region of Luxembourg and has been family-owned for generations. The conversion to organic agriculture took place in 1988 (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). The main motivation for the conversion was the protection of the drinking water resources as well as the general protection of other natural resources. The main focus of the farm is the dairy production. The produced organic milk is delivered to the BIOG dairy. Veal and potatoes can also be bought on the farm.
Marco Koeune
18, rue Laach, L-9655 Harlange
621 314 761
26 91 70 72
mechel@pt.lu
An Dudel
The farm has been farmed according to the guideline of organic farming since 2000 (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). The main production branch is broilers; the chicken are from the French Sasso breed and are the result of a crossbreeding of different slow growing meat breeds. The farm both rears male and female animals. A big portion of the chicken feed is grown on the farms itself. Meat marketing is carried out privately and by the BIOG. In addition, pumpkins and apples are also marketed via the BIOG and on the farm.
Marc Emering
Rue de la croix, L-4998 Sprinkange
37 08 86 / 691 370 886
37 05 92
andudel@pt.lu
A Schiewesch
The farm has been an rganic farm since 2001 (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). The driving force for this transition was the environmental consciousness of Myriam Baltes, as she wanted the farm from early on to be farmed as close to nature as possible. The main branches of the farm are goat dairy production and suckler cow husbandry. The produced meat is partly sold through the Luxemburgish label “Bio-Maufel”, a marketing initiative from Luxembourgish organic farmers. The produced goat milk is processed into cream cheese and hard and soft cheeses at the farm dairy. The marketing of the final products is arranged by the farm itself, and sold in various shops in Luxembourg. However, there is still much more to discover on the farm: The family rents holiday homes, keeps a donkey and Shetlandponys and wants to start again with the pork husbandry.
Daniel & Myriam Baltes
Um Suewel, L-9186 Stegen
80 74 62 / 691 711 507
mimidan@pt.lu
Domaine Sunnen-Hoffmann
Since 2001 the traditional vineyard “Caves Sunnen-Hoffmann” follows the guidelines of organic viticulture (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). It was the first vineyard that fully converted to organic in Luxembourg. The motivation behind this conversion was a logical consequence of the family traditions: producing wine in its typical and soil-borne character, whilst simultaneously respecting and protecting nature. The main focus of the conversion was the care and cultivation of the soil. The high-quality wines, which are influenced by the characteristics of their specific origin, can be bought directly at the vineyard or at selected organic food shops and other retailers. The vineyard also offers organic wines from other origin in their own on site wine store and supports thus organic wine pioneers from abroad.
Corinne Kox-Sunnen & Yves Sunnen
6, rue des Prés, L-5441 Remerschen
23 66 40 07
23 66 43 56
info@caves-sunnen.lu
Jeekel’s Haff
After his studies, Guy Arend took over his family farm and made the conversion to organic agriculture in 1987 (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). The main sector of the farm is the Aberdeen-Angus suckler cow husbandry and the production of organic seeds; both sectors Guy Arend himself helped to establish in Luxembourg. The meat products are sold on the local farm, through COBOLOUX and through a private butcher from Pétange. The farm also offers their own products in their own farm shop.
Guy Arend-Stemper
11, an de Jenken, L-4745 Pétange
50 35 72
23 65 14 20
biobujek@pt.lu
Karelshaff
Since 2002 the family farm of Jean-Louis and Alice Colling-von Roesgen has been run according to the guidelines of organic agriculture (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). The motivation behind this conversion was that the family could hardly imagine how an authentic taste and high food quality could be achieved with any other type of farming. The main branches are the Limousin suckler cow husbandry, broilers, and the production of organic seeds. The fair and appropriate treatment of the animals is very important to the family. The meat products are sold to private customers.
Jean-Louis & Alice Colling-von Roesgen
Carelshof, L-7730 Colmar-Berg
88 81 63
88 82 95
jeanlou@pt.lu
Naturhaff
Seit 2006 wird der Betrieb nach den Regeln des biologischen Landbaus bewirtschaftet (Mitglied bei Bio-Lëtzebuerg). Grund für die Umstellung war der Wunsch nach einer nachhaltigen Bewirtschaftungsweise in Bezug auf Natur- und Umweltschutz, sowie eine artgerechte Tierhaltung. Seither legt der Betrieb Wert auf eine extensive Bewirtschaftungsweise für die Produktion hochwertiger Lebensmittel. Demzufolge etablierten sich mit den Jahren artenreiche Grünlandflächen, was dem Betrieb 2010 den Bio-Agrar-Preis für seinen Einsatz in Bezug auf Biodiversität einbrachte. Umweltschutz ist ein wichtiger Impulsgeber auf dem Naturhaff: Fast alle Grünlandflächen unterliegen einem Biodiversitätsprogramm und sämtliche Ackerflächen werden pfluglos bewirtschaftet im Hinblick auf Natur- und Bodenschutz. Auf dem Hof werden robuste Schafrassen und Angus-Rinder für die Fleischproduktion, sowie Legehennen für die Eierproduktion gehalten. Die erzeugten Produkte werden über BIO-OVO, Bio-Maufel und Selbstvermarktung vermarktet.
The farm has been farmed organically since 2006 (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). The reason for the conversion was the desire for a sustainable management method with regard to nature and environmental protection, as well as a fair animal husbandry. Since then, the farm values an extensive agriculture with the goal of producing high-quality food products. To achieve this, the farm created biodiverse grassland areas for which the farm was awarded the Bio-Agrar-Price in 2010; this in recognition of its commitment to the protection and restoration of biodiversity. Environmental protection is the main focus on the Naturhaff farm: nearly all grassland areas are subject to a biodiversity program and all arable land is cultivated without the use of a plough. The farm is keeping robust sheep breeds and Angus-cattle for their meat production, as well as laying hens for egg production. The final products are sold by BIO-OVO, Bio-Maufel and trough their own local farm shop.
Christian Mathieu
Maison 95, L-9645 Derenbach
99 40 76 / 691 861 652
99 40 76
info@naturhaff.lu
Schanck Haff
The Schank Haff farm follows the guidelines of bio-dynamic (Demeter) agriculture since 1980 (member of Bio-Lëtzebuerg). From the start, the care of nature and environmental protection was a concern and a focus of the Schanck Hafff. The main sector of the farm is dairy production, cereal production and cultivation of specialty crops (potatoes and carrots). The variety on their farm is further complemented by the processing of various products directly on the farm, in their own farm bakery and the BIOG farm dairy. They also sell their own products in the Naturata farm shop situated on their farm.
Jos Schanck
Duerfstroos Nr. 10, L-9755 Hupperdange
99 75 08
97 94 44
josschanck@gmail.com
information brochures
In collaboration with several European partners such as the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FIBL), technical information brochures are being prepared, which are made available to organic farmers and other interested parties in Luxembourg. This will give farmers access to the extensive know-how of the research institutes in the field of organic agriculture and the latest national and international research results.
This project is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer protection/ASTA financed within the framework of the organic action plan in Luxembourg.
Information brochuresprojects
braugerste
Braugeescht - vum Kär zum Béier
Braugerste ist eine interessante Kultur für Luxemburger Bio-Betriebe, die jedoch aufgrund von Vermarktungsschwierigkeiten kaum noch angebaut wird. In einem gemeinsamen Projekt von IBLA, Brasserie Nationale und ASTA soll Luxemburger Bio-Braugerste für das Bio-Bier Funck-Bricher angebaut und somit ein Absatz für die Landwirte geschaffen werden.
Die Brauerei Funck-Bricher wird 1764 im Grund in der Stadt Luxemburg gegründet und wird im Laufe der Zeit zu einem wichtigen Teil des Brauwesens in Luxemburg und gilt als „Fournisseur de la Cour“ bis 1975 als modernste Brauerei Luxemburgs. ernannt. 2018, mehr als 250 Jahre nach der Gründung, kehrt die Marke Funck-Bricher zurück, um ein Bier auf Basis von Gerstenmalz und Hopfen aus biologischem Anbau zu brauen.
Das Malz für die Herstellung des Funck-Bricher Bieres entsteht derzeit auf Basis von Braugerste aus dem nahen Ausland und sogar aus England. Um ein Bier anbieten zu können, welches nicht nur in Bio-Qualität, sondern auch noch auf Basis von möglichst lokalen Zutaten aus biologischem Anbau gebraut wird, wurde daher im Herbst 2018 das Projekt ins Leben gerufen.
Das IBLA hat den Kontakt zu den Luxemburger Bio-Landwirten für den Anbau der ersten Bio-Braugerste für das Funck-Bricher Bier geknüpft. Basierend auf regionalen Sortenempfehlungen und den Empfehlungen des Berliner Programms der Braugersten-Gemeinschaft e.V. in Absprache mit der Brasserie Nationale und der Mouterij Dingemans NV hat das IBLA eine passende Sorte ausgewählt und die Landwirte bei Standortwahl, Aussaat und Bestandspflege beraten. Das IBLA wird die Landwirte bis zur Ernte weiter begleiten. Vor und nach der Ernte werden die Berater des IBLA gemeinsam mit den Landwirten die Pflanzenbestände und die Qualität des Erntegutes beurteilen und die Säuberung und Kalibrierung der Braugerste organisieren. In Zusammenarbeit mit der ASTA werden Proben aller Erntepartien auf die von der Mälzerei geforderten Qualitätsparameter untersucht. Anschließend werden auch Proben durch die Landwirte unter der Begleitung der IBLA an die Mälzerei geschickt, um dort die Qualität und die Eignung als Braugerste für die weitere Verarbeitung beurteilen zu lassen. Die Vermarktung der Braugerste an die Mälzerei verläuft dann zwischen den Landwirten und der Mälzerei. Nach der Vermälzung kauft die Brasserie Nationale das Bio Gersten-Malz wieder bei der Mouterij Dingemans ein und braut daraus das Funck-Bricher Bio-Bier.
Bei passender Qualität wird im Frühling 2018 ein Teil des Funck-Bricher Bieres auf Basis von Luxemburger Bio-Braugerste hergestellt. Dieser Anteil soll dann stetig erhöht werden, mit dem Ziel, ein Bier aus rein Luxemburger Bio-Braugerste anbieten zu können.
Die Brauerei Funck-Bricher wird 1764 im Grund in der Stadt Luxemburg gegründet und wird im Laufe der Zeit zu einem wichtigen Teil des Brauwesens in Luxemburg und gilt als „Fournisseur de la Cour“ bis 1975 als modernste Brauerei Luxemburgs. ernannt. 2018, mehr als 250 Jahre nach der Gründung, kehrt die Marke Funck-Bricher zurück, um ein Bier auf Basis von Gerstenmalz und Hopfen aus biologischem Anbau zu brauen.
Das Malz für die Herstellung des Funck-Bricher Bieres entsteht derzeit auf Basis von Braugerste aus dem nahen Ausland und sogar aus England. Um ein Bier anbieten zu können, welches nicht nur in Bio-Qualität, sondern auch noch auf Basis von möglichst lokalen Zutaten aus biologischem Anbau gebraut wird, wurde daher im Herbst 2018 das Projekt ins Leben gerufen.
Das IBLA hat den Kontakt zu den Luxemburger Bio-Landwirten für den Anbau der ersten Bio-Braugerste für das Funck-Bricher Bier geknüpft. Basierend auf regionalen Sortenempfehlungen und den Empfehlungen des Berliner Programms der Braugersten-Gemeinschaft e.V. in Absprache mit der Brasserie Nationale und der Mouterij Dingemans NV hat das IBLA eine passende Sorte ausgewählt und die Landwirte bei Standortwahl, Aussaat und Bestandspflege beraten. Das IBLA wird die Landwirte bis zur Ernte weiter begleiten. Vor und nach der Ernte werden die Berater des IBLA gemeinsam mit den Landwirten die Pflanzenbestände und die Qualität des Erntegutes beurteilen und die Säuberung und Kalibrierung der Braugerste organisieren. In Zusammenarbeit mit der ASTA werden Proben aller Erntepartien auf die von der Mälzerei geforderten Qualitätsparameter untersucht. Anschließend werden auch Proben durch die Landwirte unter der Begleitung der IBLA an die Mälzerei geschickt, um dort die Qualität und die Eignung als Braugerste für die weitere Verarbeitung beurteilen zu lassen. Die Vermarktung der Braugerste an die Mälzerei verläuft dann zwischen den Landwirten und der Mälzerei. Nach der Vermälzung kauft die Brasserie Nationale das Bio Gersten-Malz wieder bei der Mouterij Dingemans ein und braut daraus das Funck-Bricher Bio-Bier.
Bei passender Qualität wird im Frühling 2018 ein Teil des Funck-Bricher Bieres auf Basis von Luxemburger Bio-Braugerste hergestellt. Dieser Anteil soll dann stetig erhöht werden, mit dem Ziel, ein Bier aus rein Luxemburger Bio-Braugerste anbieten zu können.
i2connect
Connecting advisors to boost interactive innovation in agriculture & forestry
To strengthen the skills, competencies and attitudes of advisors to support interactive innovation, by: identifying and sharing best practices, developing tools and methods, training, and organizing peer to peer learning & networking.
To enhance and profile the role of advisors in interactive innovation processes, at different scales: by a better understanding of the AKIS at country level, by identifying providers of advisory services across Europe, by creating an enabling environment within advisory services, by better connecting and embedding advisory services within the AKIS and by appropriate public policies.
To create a social support network and a networking culture among advisors facilitating innovative innovation processes. In particular emphasis will be given to ensure that advisors in Central and Eastern European countries make use of the opportunities being created in the project.
To enhance and profile the role of advisors in interactive innovation processes, at different scales: by a better understanding of the AKIS at country level, by identifying providers of advisory services across Europe, by creating an enabling environment within advisory services, by better connecting and embedding advisory services within the AKIS and by appropriate public policies.
To create a social support network and a networking culture among advisors facilitating innovative innovation processes. In particular emphasis will be given to ensure that advisors in Central and Eastern European countries make use of the opportunities being created in the project.
2019-2024
This project has received funding from the European union horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
ecological footprint – reloaded
The ecological footprint of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is being recalculated.
Ecological Footprint – Reloaded
Within the "Ecological Footprint - Reloaded" project, the ecological footprint of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is being recalculated in cooperation with the Global Footprint Network (GFN).
The GFN calculates the ecological footprint of individual countries and worldwide using a kind of accounting for natural resources on the basis of global hectares (e.g. taking into account emitted CO2 and the CO2 equivalents) and compares them with the available capacities on global hectares (including for the absorption of CO2 equivalents), called biocapacity. This is used to calculate the number of planets that are required to provide the resource consumption of the inhabitants of a country if all people worldwide lived like this population. The calculation of the ecological footprint is based on all resources that the population or the process needs as well as the disposal of the generated waste. With the Ecological Footprint, the GFN wants to raise awareness for the need for sustainable development and to promote political decisions.
The IBLA's task is to calculate Luxembourg's Ecological Footprint for 2018 using the data published by the various national authorities. The Centre de Rechereche Public - Henri Tudor and Centre de Ressources de Technologies pour l'Environnement carried out a calculation for 2008. The additional aim is to calculate the resource consumption by fuel tourism separately in order to get a more realistic picture of consumption for the Luxembourg population. Amongst others, fuel tourism, as well as the export of predominantly services that are not traded and numbered as goods, lead to a very high consumption of resources by the Luxembourgish population with 7.92 planets. On the basis of these elaborations, trends are to be shown and critical areas of consumption and areas with high savings potential are identified and communicated.
The project is being carried out on behalf of the Luxembourg Sustainability Council.
Within the "Ecological Footprint - Reloaded" project, the ecological footprint of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is being recalculated in cooperation with the Global Footprint Network (GFN).
The GFN calculates the ecological footprint of individual countries and worldwide using a kind of accounting for natural resources on the basis of global hectares (e.g. taking into account emitted CO2 and the CO2 equivalents) and compares them with the available capacities on global hectares (including for the absorption of CO2 equivalents), called biocapacity. This is used to calculate the number of planets that are required to provide the resource consumption of the inhabitants of a country if all people worldwide lived like this population. The calculation of the ecological footprint is based on all resources that the population or the process needs as well as the disposal of the generated waste. With the Ecological Footprint, the GFN wants to raise awareness for the need for sustainable development and to promote political decisions.
The IBLA's task is to calculate Luxembourg's Ecological Footprint for 2018 using the data published by the various national authorities. The Centre de Rechereche Public - Henri Tudor and Centre de Ressources de Technologies pour l'Environnement carried out a calculation for 2008. The additional aim is to calculate the resource consumption by fuel tourism separately in order to get a more realistic picture of consumption for the Luxembourg population. Amongst others, fuel tourism, as well as the export of predominantly services that are not traded and numbered as goods, lead to a very high consumption of resources by the Luxembourgish population with 7.92 planets. On the basis of these elaborations, trends are to be shown and critical areas of consumption and areas with high savings potential are identified and communicated.
The project is being carried out on behalf of the Luxembourg Sustainability Council.
2019-2020
monesca
towards an operational very high resolution monitoring of die-off phenomena including the esca complex
Esca is a trunk disease, which is not new, but its recent spreading is devastating. Probably climate change led to this tremendous spreading in Luxembourg as well as on the whole globe. Esca-related phenomena include wood decay, grapevine leaf stripe disease and vascular dysfunction. Esca is still poorly understood and no treatment to prevent or minimise the infections of the plants exists. Winegrowers are facing this problem without having a sustainable solution. Remote sensing techniques provide spatial and spectral information that allow for the detection of symptomatic or missing plants within a vineyard.
Drone based very high-resolution images can help monitoring long term and small scale patterns of diseases. Recently, innovative hyperspectral sensors, which are very light and can be installed on drones, came on the market. This allows for new insights into diseases reactions and developments in vegetation canopies which haven’t been possible before. Esca, in contrast to many other diseases is not spreading continuously within the vineyard but occurs on single plants. Furthermore, symptoms may occur in one year and disappear the following year on infected plants. Thus, very high resolution is necessary to detect the symptoms. In combination with thermal sensors, innovative methods will be developed which may help to detect and understand the disease.
Drone based very high-resolution images can help monitoring long term and small scale patterns of diseases. Recently, innovative hyperspectral sensors, which are very light and can be installed on drones, came on the market. This allows for new insights into diseases reactions and developments in vegetation canopies which haven’t been possible before. Esca, in contrast to many other diseases is not spreading continuously within the vineyard but occurs on single plants. Furthermore, symptoms may occur in one year and disappear the following year on infected plants. Thus, very high resolution is necessary to detect the symptoms. In combination with thermal sensors, innovative methods will be developed which may help to detect and understand the disease.
2019-2021
2000 m2 for our food
Project to promote a sustainable agricultural and food culture
Worldwide each of us has an average of 2000 m2 available for our sustenance; this also corresponds to the amount of arable land and permanent meadows and pastures available to every citizen in Luxemburg. Our dietary habits do not only affect our health, but also our natural resources such as air, water and soil. However on a global scale this is lopsided; our demand for agricultural land is significantly higher, due to the cultivation of plants for energy production and imports of products from abroad like soy, coffee, cocoa or tobacco.
Using 2000 m2 at the “Haus vun der Natur” in Kockelscheuer, we will show the relationships between our dietary habits, agriculture and environmental protection in a very practical, hands-on manner. The 2000 m2 field will show that a sustainable food supply, on the basis of our natural resources, is possible. At the moment, agricultural production plays a minor role in the direct food supply in Luxemburg. Accordingly, the “2000 m2 for our food” project aims to highlight the value of fruit, vegetable and field crop cultivation, because a diverse range of seasonal delights is possible using regionally produced fruits and vegetables. This means: apples and pears instead of mangoes and kiwi. Lentils, peas and regionally produced soybean instead of chick peas from sub-tropical regions.. Being a region with a high proportion of permanent grassland, animal husbandry is very important for Luxemburg and builds an important link to the arable land and crop production, since the organic fertilizers produced by the animals especially enhance soil fertility. Chicken, pig and cow manure play an important role in keeping nitrogen and other important nutrients in the agricultural cycle, maintaining a natural soil fertility and making the use of mineral fertilizers redundant.
The aim of the project partners “Institut fir biologësch Landwirtschaft an Agrakultur Luxemburg” a.s.b.l. (IBLA), “natur & ëmwelt” a.s.b.l. and Co-Labor, is to use this project, financed by the Ministère de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable, to promote awareness of the arable land that is available for crop production, to encourage reflection about our own dietary habits and consumption patterns as well as to inform about regional and sustainable agriculture.
Using 2000 m2 at the “Haus vun der Natur” in Kockelscheuer, we will show the relationships between our dietary habits, agriculture and environmental protection in a very practical, hands-on manner. The 2000 m2 field will show that a sustainable food supply, on the basis of our natural resources, is possible. At the moment, agricultural production plays a minor role in the direct food supply in Luxemburg. Accordingly, the “2000 m2 for our food” project aims to highlight the value of fruit, vegetable and field crop cultivation, because a diverse range of seasonal delights is possible using regionally produced fruits and vegetables. This means: apples and pears instead of mangoes and kiwi. Lentils, peas and regionally produced soybean instead of chick peas from sub-tropical regions.. Being a region with a high proportion of permanent grassland, animal husbandry is very important for Luxemburg and builds an important link to the arable land and crop production, since the organic fertilizers produced by the animals especially enhance soil fertility. Chicken, pig and cow manure play an important role in keeping nitrogen and other important nutrients in the agricultural cycle, maintaining a natural soil fertility and making the use of mineral fertilizers redundant.
The aim of the project partners “Institut fir biologësch Landwirtschaft an Agrakultur Luxemburg” a.s.b.l. (IBLA), “natur & ëmwelt” a.s.b.l. and Co-Labor, is to use this project, financed by the Ministère de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable, to promote awareness of the arable land that is available for crop production, to encourage reflection about our own dietary habits and consumption patterns as well as to inform about regional and sustainable agriculture.
2018-2022
susteatable
Integrated analysis of dietary patterns and agricultural practices for sustainable food systems in Luxembourg
Luxembourg is currently facing many environmental problems. The agriculture sector is as much a victim as also a driver of these problems, and changes in the farming practices are needed in order to face them and ensure food security for future generations. Apart from production practices, the sustainability of the food and agriculture sector is also influenced by consumers’ food choices. The aim of this project is therefore a) to assess holistically the current sustainability level of the Luxembourgish agriculture sector, b) to identify necessary changes to dietary patterns and production practices, and c) to develop differentiated strategies for the development of sustainable food systems in Luxembourg. The project will assess the sustainability of the Luxembourgish food system on two levels: the farm-level and the food system-level. For the farm-level sustainability assessment, the project analyses farming practices and their respective sustainability implications according to the FAO SAFA Guidelines (Guidelines for the Sustainability Assessment of the Food and Agriculture Systems) using the SMART (Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine)-Farm Tool. Through this assessment, aspects of the agriculture sector (farm type, practices, etc.) can be identified that have positive or negative impacts on the sustainability of the farm. These identified trade-offs and synergies can then be used in the food system-level sustainability assessment for Luxembourg. Here, the mass-flow model of the agriculture and food sector (SOL), developed by FiBL and the FAO, will be employed to analyse the environmental implications of dietary patterns and food production systems. The food system-level sustainability assessment will allow the development of scenarios of sustainable food systems for Luxembourg. Together, the results from these two levels of sustainability assessments will be synthesised and used to formulate target-group specific recommendations for the development of sustainable food systems.
2018 - 2021
Apart from financial support from the "Ministère du Déveleoppement Durable et des Infrastructures" and from the "Oeuvre National de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte" and sponsoring from BIOGROS S.A. and OIKOPOLIS S.A., this project is also supported through private donations.
lighthouse project: optimization of organic materials cycles of viticulture in luxembourg
Grape marc - from underrated waste product to regionally produced premium fertilizer
The residue grape marc is transformed into a regional, high-quality fertiliser by optimizing the composting process. Ways are shown that improve the organic materials cycles in Luxembourg's viticulture in order to in turn minimize the need for mineral nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and pesticides. The use of the composting process in agricultural and the use of compost products are one way to increase sustainability and counteract climate change.
Locally produced compost products help to promote humus formation and thus help to protect the climate. The aim of the project is to promote wide support for compost products. There will be demonstration windrows and demonstration plots that can be used for composting courses and workshops. The courses are aimed at farmers, winegrowers and private individuals. In addition, information events and communication activities are carried out that appeal to all social groups.
Locally produced compost products help to promote humus formation and thus help to protect the climate. The aim of the project is to promote wide support for compost products. There will be demonstration windrows and demonstration plots that can be used for composting courses and workshops. The courses are aimed at farmers, winegrowers and private individuals. In addition, information events and communication activities are carried out that appeal to all social groups.
2018-2021
Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte Luxembourg
“schlassbierg” pilot project
Since 2016, IBLA has been collaborating with the Syndicat des Eaux Sud (SES) and the Chamber of Agriculture in the context of the "Schlassbierg" pilot project. Continuing in the vein of previous projects for improving the quality of drinking water (the proposed measures of which mainly focused on reducing fertilisation and the amounts of used pesticides), the current project is intended to go even further. The aim is to forego all mineral fertilisers and chemical-synthetic pesticides on the "Schlassbierg" plateau. The project offers the unique opportunity to examine the impact that a complete refusal to use mineral fertilisers and chemical-synthetic pesticides has on the water quality. The entire plateau is the private property of a single owner, all surfaces are cultivated by a single farmer and five springs are fed from this plateau alone. Hence, the effect that a change in the management of the fields has on the quality of the drinking water can be recorded and analysed on the basis of two reinforced springs (sources of drinking water) and three wild springs (natural sources); in fact, the activities on the plateau are reflected directly in the springs. Both the composition of the drinking water and the overall water quality will thus be considered in the evaluation of the "Schlassbierg" project.
The aim of the project is to abandon the use of all mineral fertilisers and chemical-synthetic pesticides in order to analyse the impact that this agricultural practices have on the drinking water quality of the springs. The following questions are addressed in this context:
• What implications does the described procedural change have for the quality of the drinking water springing from the two reinforced sources as well as for the quality of the water springing from the three wild sources, respectively?
• What changes are necessary in order to achieve stable yields despite not using pesticides and mineral fertilisers?
• What levels will crop shortfalls reach?
The aim of the project is to abandon the use of all mineral fertilisers and chemical-synthetic pesticides in order to analyse the impact that this agricultural practices have on the drinking water quality of the springs. The following questions are addressed in this context:
• What implications does the described procedural change have for the quality of the drinking water springing from the two reinforced sources as well as for the quality of the water springing from the three wild sources, respectively?
• What changes are necessary in order to achieve stable yields despite not using pesticides and mineral fertilisers?
• What levels will crop shortfalls reach?
2016-2023
legutec
Sustainable and resource-efficient protein production using various mechanical weed control methods in grain legume cultivation; using soybean as an example
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), a member of the family Leguminosae, has a protein content of around 40 % and a very high biological value due to an optimal amino acid composition, making it one of the most important feed protein sources in animal nutrition. Being one of the EU-member states that signed the European Soya Declaration (2017), Luxembourg aims to promote the regional cultivation of soybeans and other protein crops. The decisive factor is the current dependency on imports from mainly North and South America. Far more than 60 % of the required amount of soybean is imported, which causes various environmental and social problems. Thanks to advances in variety breeding with very early maturity, soybean cultivation is nowadays possible under low temperature conditions - an opportunity to introduce soybean production in Luxembourg and thus increase its protein autarky. However, the organic cultivation of soybean is demanding and in addition to the currently not yet guaranteed further processing in Luxembourg (e.g. toasting as one heat treatment possibility) there are above all knowledge gaps in efficient and sustainable mechanical weed control techniques.
From spring 2018 onwards, five mechanical weed control methods in soybean cultivation are tested and compared under real conditions on three organic farms spread over Luxembourg (Organic farm Mehlen in Manternach, organic farm Emering in Sprinkange und organic farm François in Hostert): 1) harrow, 2) interrow cultivator with duck foot shares, 3) interrow cultivator with duck foot shares and finger weeder, 4) a flexible system, a combination of treatment 1 and 3, while the decision is made according to the actual site and weather conditions and 5) mixed cropping of soybean and camelina in combination with harrow. A negative control, where no weed control is administered, and a positive control, where all weed control is done manually, are considered as well. The trials are implemented each as a one-factorial-exact-trial with 4 replicates. Additionally, an on-farm trial is conducted at the experimental site of the Lycée Technique Agricole in Bettendorf. Weed and soybean biomass and cover, weed species and number of plants/species as well as number of soybean plants are taken before and after each weed treatment as well as at flowering and at harvest to assess the efficiency of the used technique and potential plant damages. The company Geocoptix GmbH complements the assessments with the help of drone-supported aerial photographs using different true colour and multispectral images of the treatments.
The aim of the project is to show modern possibilities of mechanical weed control in grain legume cultivation in order to stimulate sustainable and resource-efficient protein production in Luxembourg.
From spring 2018 onwards, five mechanical weed control methods in soybean cultivation are tested and compared under real conditions on three organic farms spread over Luxembourg (Organic farm Mehlen in Manternach, organic farm Emering in Sprinkange und organic farm François in Hostert): 1) harrow, 2) interrow cultivator with duck foot shares, 3) interrow cultivator with duck foot shares and finger weeder, 4) a flexible system, a combination of treatment 1 and 3, while the decision is made according to the actual site and weather conditions and 5) mixed cropping of soybean and camelina in combination with harrow. A negative control, where no weed control is administered, and a positive control, where all weed control is done manually, are considered as well. The trials are implemented each as a one-factorial-exact-trial with 4 replicates. Additionally, an on-farm trial is conducted at the experimental site of the Lycée Technique Agricole in Bettendorf. Weed and soybean biomass and cover, weed species and number of plants/species as well as number of soybean plants are taken before and after each weed treatment as well as at flowering and at harvest to assess the efficiency of the used technique and potential plant damages. The company Geocoptix GmbH complements the assessments with the help of drone-supported aerial photographs using different true colour and multispectral images of the treatments.
The aim of the project is to show modern possibilities of mechanical weed control in grain legume cultivation in order to stimulate sustainable and resource-efficient protein production in Luxembourg.
October 2017 – September 2020
The project is funded by the Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Viticulture et de la Protection des consommateurs and is carried out with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation and the National Lottery. It is supported by a sponsorship of Wolff-Weyland S.A. and Piet van Luijk Sàrl.
Farm "An Dudel" Emering, Sprinkange
Farm Mehlen, Manternach
Farm François, Hostert
Farm Mehlen, Manternach
Farm François, Hostert
variety trials
in organic agriculture in Luxembourg
The aim of the variety trialss is to give Luxembourgish organic farmers meaningful recommendations for the variety selection. For this purpose, winter wheat cultivation trials in organic farming were implemented by IBLA under the "Organic Agriculture Action Plan Luxembourg" for the first time in 2009/10, with the financial support of the Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture (ASTA) and the support of the Lycée Technique Agricole (LTA). On the basis of these trials, a list of varieties is issued each year by the National Variety Commission as an aid for the selection of varieties for the farmers.
Variety trials conducted by IBLA for organic agriculture are:
• Winter cereals (winter wheat, winter rye, winter triticale)
• Summer cereals (summer wheat, oats, summer barley
• Soybeans
• Peas and field beans
• Potatoes
Variety trials conducted by IBLA for organic agriculture are:
• Winter cereals (winter wheat, winter rye, winter triticale)
• Summer cereals (summer wheat, oats, summer barley
• Soybeans
• Peas and field beans
• Potatoes
• Winter cereal variety trials since 2009
• Summer cereal variety trials in 2014-2016
• Soybean variety trials in 2014
• Clover grass mixture variety trials in 2013-2015
• Pea and faba bean variety trials since 2016
• Potato variety trials since 2016
• Summer cereal variety trials in 2014-2016
• Soybean variety trials in 2014
• Clover grass mixture variety trials in 2013-2015
• Pea and faba bean variety trials since 2016
• Potato variety trials since 2016
grassland and animal health eifel
The optimization of permanent grassland, the pasture management, the perennial field forage cultivation and the fodder conservation, in order to improve the efficiency, animal health, value and environmental compatibility of the dairy production in the grassland region.
In recent decades, more and more new symptoms have developed on dairy farms which no longer can be attributed to classic diseases. Subclinical acidosis, subclinical ketosis as well as Mortellaro and other diseases have not been known forty years ago. The causes of these diseases are due to several factors and can no longer be clearly analysed and named. These diseases are therefore grouped together as "factor diseases". In both advisory and research, the disciplinary approach is the common method to find a solution. This makes it difficult to analyse causal relations within complex systems such as keeping and feeding of dairy cows. An interdisciplinary approach is therefore indispensable in order to optimize dairy production in a sustainable and economically efficient way. Such an innovative, interdisciplinary approach needs to focus on actors (practice, consultation, research), as well as observations and analyses (soil, grassland, feed conservation, feeding, animal health).
The objectives of the project are:
• Analysing grassland and forage production with regard to their yields while taking into account their fertilization and cutting times.
• Improving the silage process by reducing the pure protein degradation and indicating alternatives to the silage process.
• Analysing the influence of the grassland and forage production, as well as the conservation methods on the basic feed intake and animal health of the dairy cow, thus improving the profitability of dairy cattle as a whole.
The objectives of the project are:
• Analysing grassland and forage production with regard to their yields while taking into account their fertilization and cutting times.
• Improving the silage process by reducing the pure protein degradation and indicating alternatives to the silage process.
• Analysing the influence of the grassland and forage production, as well as the conservation methods on the basic feed intake and animal health of the dairy cow, thus improving the profitability of dairy cattle as a whole.
2016 - 2019
The project is an EIP Agri (European Innovation Partnership "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability") project, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER) within the framework of the Rhineland-Palatinate program EULLE "Environmental Measures, Rural Development, Agriculture, Nutrition" co-funded by the country Rhineland-Palatinate represented by the "Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, Food, Viticulture and Forestry Rhineland-Palatinate".