Re: sanet-mg-digest V1 #1018

E. Ann Clark, Associate Professor (ACLARK@plant.uoguelph.ca)
Fri, 14 May 1999 00:57:16 EST

Phil: I'd refer you to Stanhill's authoritative article comparing
organic and conventional yields in 205 published comparisons,
spanning more than 20 crop and several animal commodities. The ratio
of organic:conventional yield averaged, if memory serves, 0.9 - e.g.
organic was 90% of conventional. Something like one-third of the
ratios were greater than 1, indicating higher organic yields than
conventional yields, and I think most of these were in animal
products as milk and eggs. In crops, the ratios were quite crop-
specific, with some crops yielding very much lower under organic
management and others approaching conventional yields.

If you want the reference, get back to me.

The point is not that organic yields less, but if it does, why? And
could it yield as well or better - and most certainly more
sustainably - if given a fighting chance. Ann
ACLARK@plant.uoguelph.ca
Dr. E. Ann Clark
Associate Professor
Crop Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 2508
FAX: 519 763-8933
http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/www/CRSC/faculty/eac.htm

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