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 april 2020)
President – FELTEN Claude (agricultural engineer)
Vice president – COLLING-VON ROESGEN
Jean-Louis (farmer)
Treasurerer – CONTER Gérard (agricultural engineer)
JACOBS Francis (farmer)
KOEUNE Marco (farmer)
MAJERUS Roland (merchant)
SCHANCK Aender (businessman)
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 26 15 13-91
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
Jean-Paul WeisMSc. Animal husbandry | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 392 748
Svenja ZelderMSc. Animal husbandry | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 751 875
Kerstin ThielenBack office
+352 26 15 13-88
Thorsten RufDr. rer. nat. | MSc. Env. Sciences | Research and Development
+352 621 734 005
Ben MangenB.Sc. Agronomy | Extension Service Agriculture
+352 621 494 009
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
Mobile +352 621 30 25 22
Gilles Altmann
Mobile +352 621 49 44 85
Jean-Paul Weis
Mobile +352 621 39 27 48
Svenja Zelder
Mobile +352 621 75 18 75
Mathieu Wolter
Mobile +352 621 67 84 67
Ben Mangen
Mobile +352 621 49 40 09
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
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
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
soya made in luxembourg
Optimization of the value chain from the soybean to the egg in Luxembourg and further development of soybean cultivation in Luxembourg
IBLA advisors have been assisting farmers in Luxembourg with soybean cultivation since 2018. After the first cultivation experiences, the joint project "Soya made in Luxembourg" was set up, which contributes to the implementation strategy of the national soybean cultivation. Initiated by the organic egg marketer BIO-OVO S.A., it aims to support farmers in cultivation and subsequent marketing and processing, and to use the processed soya in return as domestic laying hen feed on the farm. The key factor is the high annual import numbers in Luxembourg for livestock with currently 27,500 t of soybean extraction meal (Zimmer, et al. 2020). Luxembourg is 100% dependent on soybean imports, most of which originate from North and South America and thus come with social and environmental problems. Soya is difficult to substitute in the feeding of monogastrics such as pigs or poultry due to its high biological value, a.G. the high protein content and the essential sulfur-containing amino acids. In ruminant feeding (dairy cattle and suckler cows), a demand-oriented feeding without soybean, instead with optimal grassland and field fodder use, is quite possible. Possibilities to reduce the soya import are therefore on the one hand the minimization in feeding, mainly in cattle husbandry, and on the other hand the national cultivation of soybeans. This nationally produced soy should be used exclusively for the feeding of monogastric animals.
The support of the soybean growers by IBLA includes the site selection, the soil preparation, the accompaniment before and during the sowing, the mechanical weed control as well as the harvest and the organization of the delivery to the feed producer SCAR scrl in Belgium, which takes over the further processing in the feed rations for the BIO-OVO laying hens. For the mechanical weed control, the agricultural machinery dealer Wolff-Weyland S.A. supports the farmers by providing the necessary sowing and hoeing equipment.
The aim of the project is to further develop and economically optimize soybean cultivation and the soybean value chain by providing cost-effective but competent advice for the farmer from sowing to harvesting, which will bear fruit in independent cultivation in the long term. In addition, the process of further processing of soybeans is optimized logistically and economically to promote national soybean production and increase protein self-sufficiency.
The support of the soybean growers by IBLA includes the site selection, the soil preparation, the accompaniment before and during the sowing, the mechanical weed control as well as the harvest and the organization of the delivery to the feed producer SCAR scrl in Belgium, which takes over the further processing in the feed rations for the BIO-OVO laying hens. For the mechanical weed control, the agricultural machinery dealer Wolff-Weyland S.A. supports the farmers by providing the necessary sowing and hoeing equipment.
The aim of the project is to further develop and economically optimize soybean cultivation and the soybean value chain by providing cost-effective but competent advice for the farmer from sowing to harvesting, which will bear fruit in independent cultivation in the long term. In addition, the process of further processing of soybeans is optimized logistically and economically to promote national soybean production and increase protein self-sufficiency.
Since 2018
As part of the Organic Action Plan, the project has received financial support from the Ministère de l'Agriculture, de la Viticulture et du Développement rural since 2020.
fabulous farmers
The European INTERREG project supports farmers in the practical implementation of agro-ecological farming methods to reduce their dependence on external inputs such as mineral fertilizers and pesticides. To this end, farmers are encouraged to implement methods and measures on their farms that improve Functional Agro-Biodiversity (FAB) and promote, among other things, pollination, optimise the natural regulation of harmful organisms by promoting natural counterparts and improve soil and water quality on agricultural land. A network of pilot farms with a "lighthouse effect" serves to disseminate knowledge in the context of "FAB-Farming" within agriculture and also in society and politics. For this purpose, in 12 pilot regions and five countries (BE, NL, LUX, FR and UK), there is a cooperation with other stakeholders such as landowners and municipalities, with the aim of creating an integrated FAB landscape integration plan. In addition, local society is involved through both practical and entertaining activities and the use of "citizen-science tools".
2019 - 2023
méi weed
Pasture optimization by adapting pasture management to pedoclimatic conditions
Grazing is economically profitable for the farmer if the use of the pasture grass is high. However, to achieve this goal, it is necessary to correctly estimate the amount of grass available on the pasture plots in order to prevent overstory pasture grass and thus pasture grass losses.
In this project, a prediction model of daily grass increment is adapted to Luxembourg pedoclimatic conditions. The forecasts will allow for predictive pasture planning and will help in the future with regular adjustments of grazing areas, feeding of roughage and/or concentrates to grazing animals, etc.
Five pasture-based dairy farms are participating in the project. These pilot farms are located in different pedoclimatic zones throughout Luxembourg. The pilot farms will be intensively accompanied in their pasture management for the whole duration of the project. In this way, the practical benefits of the grass growth model will be implemented on the farms.
In parallel, a survey of consumers will be conducted to determine their added value in pasture management and its influence on their purchasing behavior. Furthermore, a sustainability analysis with the SMART (Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine)- Farm Tool will be carried out on the pilot farms at the beginning and end of the project in order to develop farm-specific improvement approaches and recommendations and to monitor the development of the farms.
In this project, a prediction model of daily grass increment is adapted to Luxembourg pedoclimatic conditions. The forecasts will allow for predictive pasture planning and will help in the future with regular adjustments of grazing areas, feeding of roughage and/or concentrates to grazing animals, etc.
Five pasture-based dairy farms are participating in the project. These pilot farms are located in different pedoclimatic zones throughout Luxembourg. The pilot farms will be intensively accompanied in their pasture management for the whole duration of the project. In this way, the practical benefits of the grass growth model will be implemented on the farms.
In parallel, a survey of consumers will be conducted to determine their added value in pasture management and its influence on their purchasing behavior. Furthermore, a sustainability analysis with the SMART (Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine)- Farm Tool will be carried out on the pilot farms at the beginning and end of the project in order to develop farm-specific improvement approaches and recommendations and to monitor the development of the farms.
2020 - 2023
Pilot farms: Thielen, Stockem; Thiry, Schouweiler, Weirich, Gostingen; Elsen, Boeuvange-sur-Attert; Vassen, Weiler
simba
Simulating economic and environmental impacts of dairy cattle management using Agent Based Models
The management of a dairy farm decides significantly on its economic success and ecological impact. The simulation of the impact of management decisions was identified as an important challenge when modeling agricultural systems; so-called agent-based models (ABM) are used. The project aims to develop a decision support system (DSS) based on an LCA (life cycle assessment)-ABM-coupled simulator. This way, the economic and environmental effects of different herd management strategies can be tested. For the design and validation of LCA-ABM, phenotypes are collected in more than 320 dairy farms in Wallonia and Luxembourg (e.g. animal characteristics, milk composition and yield, feeding and farm-specific economic data) or on an individual animal basis using milk spectra in the mid-infrared range (body weight, methane emissions). Further phenotypes are predicted in this project from easily collected parameters using machine learning algorithms. These relate both to the behavior of the farmers and to the pasture methodology. Phenotypes, in connection with standard literature equations from the field of life cycle assessments, enable to calculate the environmental impact of individual cows with a higher temporal resolution than with the existing life cycle assessments. Finally, the robustness of the assumptions behind the LCA-ABM-based decision tool is assessed on the basis of detailed economic, feed and production data, which are collected from ten pilot farms in Luxembourg.
2019 - 2023
Supported by the Fond National de la Recherche Luxembourg“INTER/FNR/18/12987586“
braugeescht – vum kär zum béier
Auf Anfrage der ASTA wurde 2019 auf vier Bio-Betrieben im Norden des Landes auf insgesamt 17 ha die Bio-Sommerbraugerste Avalon mit dem Ziel angebaut, die Brasserie Nationale S.A. dabei zu unterstützen, das Bio-Bier Funck Bricher auch mit Malz aus luxemburgischer Bio-Braugerste brauen zu können. Neben der Ausarbeitung der Informationsbroschüre „Braugeescht: Vum Kär zum Béier“ wurden die Landwirte von den Beratern des IBLA vom Anbau und der Kulturführung bis hin zur Ernte und Lagerung fachlich unterstützt und begleitet. Für die Qualitätssicherung wurden das geerntete Getreide bei de Verband auf die gängigen Qualitätseigenschaften von Braugerste und beim Laboratoire National de la Santé auf mögliche Belastungen mit Pflanzenschutzmitteln und Mykotoxinen untersucht. Im Oktober wurden Proben der Braugerste bei der Mälzerei Mouterij Dingemans N.V. auf wichtige Qualitätsmerkmale untersucht um die Eignung für die Weiterverarbeitung in Malz zu bestimmen. Insgesamt war die luxemburgische Bio-Braugerste für das Funck-Bricher Bio-Bier von guter Qualität. Aus der Ernte 2019 konnten rund 44 Tonnen Braugerste an die Mouterij Dingemans N.V geliefert werden, um nach der dortigen Verarbeitung zu Malz in der Brasserie Nationale in Funck-Bricher Bier zu veredeln. 2020 wird die Bio-Sommerbraugerste Avalon auf etwa 35 ha angebaut.
since 2019
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
As part of the project, the ecological footprint of Luxembourg is being recalculated in cooperation with the Global Footprint Network (GFN). The ecological footprint of individual countries as well as globally is calculated using a kind of accounting for natural resources based on global hectares and is compared with the available capacities on global hectares, called bio-capacity. 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 Ecological Footprint is intended to draw attention to the need for sustainable development and to promote political decisions. IBLA's task is to calculate Luxembourg's Ecological Footprint for 2018. The aim is to also highlight the resource consumption of tank tourism separately in order to get a more realistic picture of consumption for the Luxembourg population. On the basis of these elaborations, trends are to be shown, and critical consumption areas and critical areas with high savings potential are identified and communicated.
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 Luxembourg. 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 Luxembourg. 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 Luxembourg 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 Luxembourg. 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 Luxembourg 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. 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.
co2mpositiv
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
With a protein content of circa 40 % and an optimal amino acid composition, soybean is one of the most important protein sources in animal feed. Due to the current dependency on imports from North and South America, Luxembourg has signed the European Soybean Declaration (2017) in order to promote the regional cultivation of soybean and other protein crops. In addition to the not yet guaranteed further processing in Luxembourg (e.g. toasting), there are above all knowledge gaps in efficient and sustainable mechanical weed control techniques. Five mechanical weed control methods in soybean cultivation are tested and compared under real conditions on three organic farms spread over Luxembourg. An ON-FARM trial is also conducted at the Lycée Technique Agricole for educational purposes. 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 trials 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 in cooperation with the Lycée Technique Agricole (LTA) in the season 2009/10. In recent years, further crops have been added to the variety trials. Since 2020, maize and grass-clover mixture variety trials have also been conducted in collaboration with the Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture (ASTA). 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.
• Winter cereal variety trials since 2009
• Summer cereal variety trials in 2014-2016, and again since 2019
• Soybean variety trials in 2014, and again since 2018
• Clover grass mixture variety trials in 2013-2015 and again since 2020
• Pea and faba bean variety trials since 2016
• Potato variety trials since 2016
• Maize variety trials since 2020
• Summer cereal variety trials in 2014-2016, and again since 2019
• Soybean variety trials in 2014, and again since 2018
• Clover grass mixture variety trials in 2013-2015 and again since 2020
• Pea and faba bean variety trials since 2016
• Potato variety trials since 2016
• Maize variety trials since 2020
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 have increased in recent years. 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". An interdisciplinary approach is therefore indispensable in order to optimize dairy production in a sustainable and economically efficient way.
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 - 2020
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".