Balancing sheep, beef and tillage – Brian Nicholson’s route to partial organic conversion

Having claimed the Sheep Enterprise Award at the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024, Dr Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, and Terry Carroll, Drystock Advisor in Kilkenny, detail Brian Nicholson’s journey to partial organic conversion.

Farming in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, Brian operates a mixed farm, primarily sheep with some beef cattle and tillage, on 98ha of agricultural land, with an additional 20ha of forestry.

70ha of the holding is in organic agriculture, with the rest under conventional. Importantly, Brian was able to convert part of the farm to organics. He has the option of converting the remainder down the line once he has gotten used to the system and depending on the market for organic meat. 

He currently has 550-600 ewes and 100 head of cattle. He grows tillage on the farm for two reasons: 1). It provides a high protein, high energy winter feed (combi crop of wheat and peas); and 2). It breaks up the sod before reseeding and so works well in the rotation.

Watch the video below, for more information on Brian's farming system

Soil fertility focus

There has been a significant emphasis on optimising soil fertility on the farm.  Soil analysis and the use of a Nutrient Management Plan has allowed Brian to focus on where to target lime to raise soil pH, and where to target slurry and compound fertilisers for optimising phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) indices. There are 41% of his soils optimum for pH, P and K, with 77%, 74% and 77% optimum for pH, P and K, respectively. This has been a great foundation for Brian to successfully incorporate clover into the swards and reduce reliance on chemical nitrogen.

Converting to organics

Brian started the conversion to organic production in the last 12 months. Brian chose to convert 70% of the agricultural land to organic farming. Partial conversion of the farm to organic farming is allowed, subject to the following conditions:

• If both organic and conventional crops are to be produced, different species of plant, or different varieties that can be easily differentiated at all stages of growth and production, must be used.
• If both organic and conventional livestock are to be produced, different species must be involved.

He converted for a number of reasons:

1. The value of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) payment to the farm (details of which are presented in table 1 below)
   • Participation Payment: An annual participation payment will be paid to all OFS participants to cover administrative costs which is in addition to the per hectare payment. Both payments will be incorporated into the annual OFS payment. An amount of €2,000 will be paid to OFS participants in the first year of conversion and €1,400 for every subsequent year of the contract.
2. The potential markets for organic lamb.  Brian is hopeful of premium markets for organic lamb. 
3. Brian was operating a 1,000 ewe unit. Sourcing labour was becoming a major issue on the farm.  It made sense to reduce ewe numbers to reduce labour requirement and operate at a more sustainable level and to improve work-life balance. 
4. Switching to organic production also helps Brian meet his emissions targets.

Table 1: Drystock (beef and sheep) - applicants with 3ha or more of utilisable organic area are eligible for the following payments: 

Brian's considerations before switching to organics

1). Incorporating clover into grassland to reduce reliance on chemical N

Brian has been using clover for the last few years to reduce his reliance on chemical nitrogen. He has also made progress to increase soil fertility to ensure productivity is maintained.

2). Sourcing farmyard manure

Brian has 100 head of cattle which are housed for five months of the year. These provide Brian with a source of farmyard manure for targeting low P and K fields.

3). Stocking rate below 2.0 livestock units per ha?

Brian had 1,000 ewes and 300 ewe lamb replacements before conversion.  He has reduced ewe numbers to 550-600.  This was a choice that suited him from a labour perspective.

4). Can animal housing be modified to incorporate a bedded lying area?

All sheds are straw bedded for the sheep enterprise. Cattle sheds have a slatted feeding area with straw laying area so if in the future he decided to convert the cattle to organic there's no major financial requirements. 

5). Other environmental schemes that may not be eligible for Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) payment.

Brian is also in ACRES and the options chosen for ACRES means his Organic payment is not affected.  Brian is maximising payments for ACRES and organics.

6). Routine prevention of health problems in animals

Brian has operated with a robust flock health plan, which has helped to reduce animal health risks.  He also regularly uses faecal egg sampling to identify fluke and worm challenges rather than using routine preventative treatment. 

7). Will it be profitable?

This farm is already operating at a high level of output coupled with low production costs.  Brian has also been an early adopter of key technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs and maximise profitability.  Brian is optimistic that the organic payments coupled with premium markets as well as other diversification strategies on the farm will maintain or increase profitability on the farm.  It is important to say that Brian is also diversifying into other areas including the incorporation of agroforestry on the farm. More about this in another article. 

Brian is one year into conversion and doesn’t find a huge change in the switch to organics.  There is additional paperwork but otherwise little change.  His system had moved more towards organic farming in recent years, making the change easier. 

To learn more about the Organic Farming Scheme, visit here.

Read more on the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024 and meet the other finalists in the competition here.

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