RAMIRAN 2025​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

15-Oct-2025 - 17-Oct-2025

Wageningen, hotel WICC

Managing organic resources in agriculture: opportunities and challenges

We warmly invite you to the 19th international RAMIRAN conference in the university city of Wageningen, NL, from 15-17 October 2025. Recycling of Agricultural, Municipal and Industrial Residues in Agriculture Network (RAMIRAN) is a research and expertise network that was set up more than 25 years ago to improve nutrient utilization and minimize the environmental impact of livestock manure and other organic material used in agricultural systems (www.ramiran.eu). This conference was last held in 2023 and attracted up to 350 delegates from across Europe and beyond. RAMIRAN 2025 will be organized by Wageningen University & Research.

Abstract submission will open in December 2024. Registration will open in April 2025. For more information you can check this website, sign up for the newsletter, or contact ramiran2025@wur.nl.

What is it about?

The conference will focus on the management of organic residues and manures in agriculture. In the context of climate change and environmental pressure, safe and sustainable utilisation of existing and emerging organic resources becomes increasingly important, as is taking into account potential trade-offs or synergies. The conference will address the many facets of their application in agriculture, using the following seven sessions:

> Agronomic value:

The use of organic resources from food processing, sewage sludge, and municipal bio-wastes as fertilizer or soil conditioner is expected to increase over the coming decade, because of the ambitious targets of recycling of wastes. The amount and plant-availability of nutrients and the stability of organic matter in these new resources are often unknown. In addition, treatment and measures to reduce emissions from livestock manures affect their composition and agronomic value. In this session, the agronomic value of manure and organic resources and the management of these products in different agro-ecosystems are discussed.

> GHG emissions:

Ambitious goals are set to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. During the production, storage, and use of organic resources, emissions of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) may occur. Organic resources are also a source of carbon, and their use can aid in its sequestration in soil. This session focuses on the quantification of GHG emissions from the production, storage and use of organic resources and the development and scientific underpinning of mitigation strategies.

> Air quality:

Emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) from agriculture to the atmosphere contribute to nitrogen deposition on ecosystems, which may cause loss of biodiversity and soil acidification. In addition, elevated atmospheric concentrations of NH3, NOₓ, but also of particulate matter, and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) can negatively impact human health. In this session, studies on emissions of NH3, NOₓ and other pollutants from organic resources are presented, including novel measurement techniques.

> Water quality:

The application of organic resources to agricultural soils may lead to leaching and surface runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus to ground and surface waters. In many regions in the EU, the water quality does not meet the nitrate limits of the Nitrates Directive and the ecological and chemical standards of the Water Framework Directive. The use of organic resources also results in poor water quality in other regions in the world due to nutrient losses. Additionally, it may result in water pollution with contaminants, such as heavy metals, hormones and organic contaminants. This session addresses topics related to the use of organic resources and water quality.

> Soil quality:

Application of organic residues to soils is challenging while preventing soil contamination, especially with ‘emerging contaminants’, such as microplastics, nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, organic resources can improve soil quality and carbon sequestration by adding organic matter and nutrients. They may improve soil structure, soil biodiversity, and soil fertility. In this session, insights on the positive and negative effects of organic resource use on soil quality are discussed, with specific attention to the impacts of new products new.

> Integral analysis:

A combination of measures needs to be taken to increase nutrient use efficiency, improve soil quality and reduce gaseous emissions and leaching from organic resources to meet the targets of different environmental policies. Combinations of measures may have synergies and thereby strengthen their effects; however, there is also a risk of trade-offs or pollution swapping. Various types of pollution swapping between measures may take place. This session addresses integral studies on management of organic resources and emissions of different compounds at scales from farm to continent.

> Policy and regulation:

Many policies and regulations at local, national, continental, and global scale deal with the use of organic resources, but contain a different focus. They aim e.g. to reduce the emission of atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases, reduce nutrient leaching to groundwater or lower the concentration of contaminants in soil and water bodies at different scales. In this session, the effectivity of policies and regulations related to the use of organic resources are discussed. What is needed to increase the effectivity of these policies?

Check this website for updates on the conference, or sign up for the newsletter here.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Wageningen in 2025!

Programme

RAMIRAN 2025 is hosted by Wageningen University & Research

Key Dates RAMIRAN 2025