Organic Farming – An Update
Organic Specialist Adviser, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork
The Irish organic sector continues to receive ongoing positive publicity. Organically produced food is being endorsed by celebrity chef’s and food writers on a daily basis. (Burke, 2008) estimates that the organic retail food market in Ireland is now worth over €104 million annually. Much of this organic produce is imported with home based production accounting for € 40 million of total consumption.
In mid 2008, 1,445 organic operators were registered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food including 1,230 producers with an average farm size of 36 hectares. Over 1 percent of the utilizable land area of Ireland is now farmed organically. This compares with a 4 percent average across the European Union. (FIBL , 2007). The Programme for Government has set a target of 5 percent of the utilizable land area of Ireland to have organic status by 2012.
Large numbers of farmers continue to attend Teagasc & Department of Agriculture Demonstration Farm Open Days and events. Many farmers consider themselves to be “almost organic” i.e. using little or no artificial fertilisers. The reality is that there is no such production system as “almost organic”. However when a farmer is using little or no fertiliser, the transition to organic farming systems is made a little easier – but no artificial fertiliser inputs is only one of the components required to satisfy organic standards.
What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming means farming to a defined set of standards to ensure that the integrity of the organic brand is maintained. These standards form the basis of the conversion plan outlined later and is policed by the organic certification body chosen by the producer. The main objective of the organic standards is to establish a management system for agriculture that:
- Respects natures systems & cycles, sustains and enhances health of the soil, water, plants & animals
- Contributes to high level of biological diversity
- Makes responsible use of energy & natural resources
- Respects high animal welfare standards
- Aims at producing high quality products
- Aims at producing variety of foods/agricultural products that respond to consumer demands using processes not harmful to environment, human, plant or animal health.
The principles of organic farming are based on:
- Maintenance and enhancement of natural soil fertility and soil biodiversity, nourishing the plants through the soil ecosystem
- Minimum use of non-renewable resources and off-farm inputs
- Recycling plant/animal wastes for plant/animal production
- Maintenance of animal health by encouraging natural defences, also selection of appropriate breeds and practices
- Observance of a high level of livestock welfare.
- Maintenance of plant health by preventative measures, e.g. choice of species and varieties resistant to pests/diseases.
There is a perception that organic farming is difficult, contains a lot of red tape, demanding on labour and only returns low levels of productivity. The reality is different. The best organic farmers using good husbandry and management skills can achieve stocking rates up to 1.8L.U./ha. (Teagasc, 1999) In terms of paperwork, detailed records must be kept but most farmers in REPS are already familiar with this type of record keeping.
Profitable Organic Farming
Farmers who are converting to organic production are doing so not for ideological reasons, but for sound economic reasons. On many farms there is the potential to increase profitability by converting to organic production (Moran & Connolly, 2007) The main components of achieving high margins from organic production are as follows:
- High levels of productivity. In order to increase profitability per hectare high levels of output
are required. Stocking rates below 1.6LU/ha should be sustainable on white clover
/ryegrass swards alone but above that red clover swards for silage production are needed.
Tillage farmers can achieve yields of up 5 tonnes per hectare but this needs good rotation
structure, seedbed preparation, farmyard manure application and soil fertility.
- Premium price for produce. It is essential to produce products that are in demand and that
return a premium price. Most farmers use meat factories or merchants to sell their produce
but good outlets for organic produce are more scarce and therefore more planning is
needed to identify market outlets. A number of well established processing outlets exist for
organic beef, milk and cereals. Contact should be made with processors and retailers to
ascertain what is the best product mix from an individual farm.
- REPS and Organic Farming Scheme/Investment Schemes. The Organic farming scheme
(OFS1) now operates independently of REPS but the majority of applicants will be in both
schemes. The payment rates are outlined below. There is also an on farm investment
grant scheme which grant aids items up to an investment of €150,000 at a rate of 40
percent vat exclusive for the purchase of new equipment and facilities for the production,
preparation, grading, packing, storage, distribution and sale of organic products. In addition
there is an off farm investment scheme which grant aids up to €2 million at a rate of 40
percent for new equipment.
- Reduced inputs: There will be no artificial fertiliser or spray bills but it is still important to
keep other variable and fixed costs to a minimum.
Payments
Although the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) is independent of REPS4, a farmer in REPS 3 must transform to REPS4 to be eligible to join the Organic Farming Scheme. The new scheme offers greater flexibility and allows small scale horticultural holdings benefit from the OFS scheme. It also allows organic lands to be cropped by another organic operator. It is now possible for an organic crop farmer to grow a crop on another organic livestock farmers land provided that both are participants of the OFS scheme.
Table 1 sets out the payments available under the Organic Farming Scheme.
| OFS1 payment rates | Horticulture Holdings ≤6ha |
Holdings > 3ha and <= 55 ha |
Area > 55ha (less than 55ha other rates apply) |
|---|---|---|---|
| In conversion | €283/ha | €212/ha | €30/ha |
| Full organic status | €142/ha | €106/ha | €15/ha |
Source: DAFF 2007
The above payment is in addition to the REPS4 payments, for example a 40 hectare farm will receive a REPS4 payment of €8,780 per year and an OFS payment of €8,480 per year for the first two years and in subsequent years a REPS4 payment of €8,780 per year and an OFS payment of €4,240 per year.
There is an additional option for Non-REPS stockless farmers growing green manure during conversion - €240/ha up to a maximum of 40 ha for the 2 years of conversion.
Making an Application
Participants who are applying for the Organic Farming Scheme only, i.e. those not already participating in REPS or not now applying to participate in REPS, should forward their application (Form OFS1) directly to the Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Wexford.
All other applicants should forward their application to the local Department of Agriculture Office. This will include those making an application for REPS and the Organic Farming Scheme and also existing REPS participants now applying for the Organic Farming Scheme, both of whom will complete Form OFS1.
All applications must include the following documentation:
- Completed OFS1 form, which will include a list land parcels, (LPIS numbers), (or where not available, a copy of the IACS declaration notification), outlining the current organic status of and any other status of all the area farmed
- A farm map(s)
- A copy of the current organic licence from one of the organic certification bodies.
In addition the Annual Declaration of Farming Activity (Form OFS2) and Conversion Plan where applicable i.e. for farmers whose holding is in conversion to Organic Farming must be completed and retained by the applicant at farm level
Completing a conversion plan
This consists of a detailed description of management practices on the farm, changes required on the farm, faecal analysis, soil analysis, livestock housing plan, animal health plan (in consultation with veterinary surgeon) and rotation of land and crop plans. This plan can be drawn up by the farmer or in consultation with a REPS planner or organic farming specialist.
Current Management Practises on the Farm
- Physical Characteristics of Holding Give a detailed description of the holding and its physical characteristics - soil type, drainage and fencing. Describe the exact size of the land area; whether in one or more parcels; whether there are any sites on the land, which are deemed to be of archaeological interest or areas of conservation value, e.g. woodlands, wetlands, archaeological sites etc.
- Current Cropping, Soil Fertility & Weed Control Outline the current cropping plan on the holding and describe current soil fertility levels and attach the most recent soil analyses. Explain how soil fertility has been maintained to date.
- Livestock Enterprises Give details of current stock including breed and system. Describe the current type of animal housing/outdoor shelter in place and estimate the length of overall winter housing period. Describe the current average annual veterinary routine including names of products used. Describe how animal manures are utilized at present
- Conventional Enterprises If there are conventionally managed enterprises on the holding which are to be maintained. There are specific conditions pertaining to the maintenance of conventionally managed enterprises on an organic holding.
Future Management
- General The Plan must demonstrate how a sustainable organic unit will be achieved. Give a brief overall outline of the proposed organic enterprises for the holding. - outline a proposed crop rotation/crop plan for the holding, as appropriate.
- Soil Fertility Maintenance Explain how soil fertility levels will be maintained using organic management methods. Outline a plan for spreading manure together with a full description of areas given over to crop production.
- Grazing rotation & Weed control Outline a clean grazing policy, which is demonstrated by a system of rotating animals to avoid re-infestation of stock. Describe how weed control will be managed on the farm
- Livestock management system Outline the numbers and breed type of animals on the holding and how feed requirements will be met in the absence of artificial inputs. Animal Housing Plan A housing sketch must accompany the application and the changes required to meet organic standards must be outlined. The type of bedding to be used must also be detailed.
- Animal Health Plan The animal health plan produced in consultation with the veterinary surgeon will outline on farm deficiencies and vaccination issues and how these will be treated.
It is essential that this plan is well thought out and covers the changes in management practises as well as the nutrient deficiencies on the farm and how these will be corrected.
There are two certification bodies which operate the organic farming scheme under the auspices of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The farmer makes an initial application to one of the two certification bodies IOFGA or Organic Trust with the conversion plan and pays a fee. This is then reviewed by the Certification Manager and the file is then sent to an Inspector who arranges a visit to the holding. The inspector’s report of the holding is then assessed by the Certification Panel who decides if the holding can be awarded a licence. If there are no outstanding issues an in-conversion licence is issued to the successful applicant.
The conversion period for land based enterprises is normally 2 years – the organic aid payment is front loaded to compensate for the costs incurred for farming to organic standards while receiving conventional prices for produce during the conversion period.
The vast majority of Irish grassland farms – in excess of 85,000 have stocking rates which result in annual organic nitrogen production levels of less than 100kg/ha (Humphries & Lalor, 2007). Artificial fertilizer use on these farms is quite low and therefore there is the potential for many such farmers to consider organic farming. Higher levels of stockmanship and technical ability are required to provide enough fodder, minimise risk of disease and to produce quality saleable produce. A good conventional farmer can make a good organic farmer utilising the support structures available. Farmers considering converting need to be mindful that they are producing for a niche market, a market that is growing but over time the premium for produce currently achievable may be eroded and the farm will still have to be efficiently operated to remain viable.
References
Burke, L. 2008 How modern Irish consumers view organic food. National Organic Conference - Maximising Irelands Potential Waterford 4th September 2008.
DAFF, 2007 Terms and Conditions of the Organic Farming Scheme 2007 – 2013
FIBL, 2007 Survey on organic farming world-wide (FiBL and IFOAM): Homepage www.organicworld.net (FiBL SOEL Survey 2007)
Humphries, J. & Lalor, A. 2007. A guide to management of white clover in grassland Moorepark Dairy Research Update End of Project Report Series 3.
Moran, B. & Connolly, L. 2007. Economics of Organic Farming Teagasc National Organic Conference Tullamore 23rd May 2007.
Teagasc, 1999. Principles of Successful Organic Farming.
