2009 teagasc organic demonstration farms announced

From 400 cow dairy farms in north Donegal to clay ovens in Kildare and carrots in Cork, the 2009 Teagasc organic demonstration farms have been announced.

The organic sector can consider itself blessed that the number of organic demonstration farms has remained stable, when all around, the scythe of agri-cutbacks has been swung.

In 2005, when the first of the series began, just three farmers were involved: James Mulhall (milk, beef, lamb in Laois), the Colchesters (Turkey, chicken, lamb, beef in Kilkenny) and Fintan Rice (Dairy in Tipperary). All three are having walks again.

I know and have been to the farms of a reasonable number of these farmers, so perusing the list, I immediately noticed a positive: all are relatively happy with their farming and food business lot. Many are also diversifying to keep ahead of the game. A significant number are growing and expanding their enterprises.

There are also newcomers which reflects that fact that the organic sector is growing, albeit from a low base.

One of the most interesting of the newcomers is quite a distance away from almost everywhere: north Donegal. Its a long trip but it just might be worth getting up to Ian Witherow's leased holding.

There are less than 20 organic dairy holdings in Ireland, but when this one becomes fully certified in March of next year, 400 dairy cows will be supplying organic milk into the system

Witherow will be supplying Donegal Creameries all year round, which will involve both Spring and Autumn calving. According to a recent report by Pat Barry, who has helped with the conversion process: �In 2008, the herd consisted of 50% first calvers and averaged 5650 litres at 4% butterfat and 3.35% protein using 400 kg concentrates�.

The holding, having previously been in cereals, was reseeded with a sward including red and white clover.

As housing modifications had to be made, Dairy farmers interested in the organic option may learn from Witherow's shed conversion experience. This has been cited as one of the main changes needed in converting a holding to organic.

What's perhaps most interesting about this holding is that the diary unit Witherow is leasing is just one part of a 2500 acre organic farm, an Grainin, which will become one of Europe's biggest organic farms when fully certified next year.

That in itself could well make for a worthwhile visit on Thursday 2nd July.

Another newcomer to the series includes Colm O Regan (Kinsale, Cork) on Thursday 18th June for horticulture and poultry. The other and previous organic horticultural walks tended to be more northerly (mid Clare, east Galway and Offaly), so this is an opportunity for those interested in this option in the south west.

Peter and Jenny Young (Kildare) have held walks before. However, this time they are holding two, including one which specifically includes farm diversifications. This latter area has been historically underrepresented on the walks, so this makes for a welcome change.

And if any holding in Ireland could be seen as a model of diversification, then surely its the Young's Castlefarm.

There are many innovative examples of their diversification. They have diversified into different food enterprises, along with their mainstay of dairying, including poultry, cheese and chutneys.

Along with production -specific diversifications, they have developed numerous other uses for their land and skills.

They currently offer 32 6x5mt allotments, and bring in experts to offer classes once a month for budding gardeners. More than this, they offer courses for farmers, landowners and community groups to learn how to offer allotments to the public.

They also offer courses in a range of food and sustainability-related areas such as outdoor clay oven building, willow weaving and many aspects of farming and growing. They even take school tours.

This second of the Young's walks, which will also feature horticulture and their farm shop, is on Friday August 28th .

Overall, both the geographical spread of the organic demonstration farms, as well as the range and number of farming and growing options on offer is to be commended.

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will this become the biggest organic farm in Europe?

In what will surely be a major boon for the organic sector in Ireland, one of the countries� largest farms has decided to begin the process of converting to organic. When conversion is complete, it will also be one of the biggest organic farms in Europe.

An Grianan, is a farm in a region of Donegal with the same name. Along with being massive, at almost 3,000 acres, it is also one of the most northerly farms in Ireland. It is nestled on the Inishowen peninsula�s coastline in Donegal, between the townlands of Burt, Bridgend and Burntfoot.

Unlike much of the county�s farmland, the farm, which is owned by Donegal Creameries, is relatively flat: 1800 acres of it was reclaimed from the sea.

This also makes it quite fertile, limey and sandy � �if you walk through, after it�s been ploughed, you can see the seashells� according to Gareth Whitmore of Donegal Creameries, who is managing this ambitious project.

500 acres of the farm is an important wildlife freshwater called Inch lake: it is the first landing spot for some migrating bird species.

The rest is farmed by a varying number of farmers who rent sections, mostly on a short-term lease - at present there are 20.

First up, I asked Gareth about his reasons for taking on such a large project: �farming is much the same as any other business: you need to have a point of difference. Grianan is a very special place, and the farm is too - it is very naturally fertile. We looked at various things, including oil seed rape and willow. But we thought that going organic was the best way to complement the farm. We�d feel that there is a growing need and desire out there amongst consumers�

According to Gareth, a combination of some research and a more general recognition of the fact that consumers are becoming ever more aware of what they are eating: �consumers know more and more about where their food comes from. We reckon that organic consumption will continue to rise over the next five to six years�.

Compared to conventional farming, Gareth feels that organic farming has a lot of growth potential at the moment: �organic production is coming up in demand. There seems to be less competition, as supply is coming from outside the country�.

He continues: Irish conventional produce compares favourably to our competitors� conventional produce, so home grown organic produce should be better quality than much of the available imported produce�

The plan is to convert the farm in phases, over the next five to six years. At the moment, 698 acres is in conversion, growing white and red clover to build up fertility.
At present, they are setting up an organic dairy with a local farmer on the farm.

Beef, sheep, root vegetables, barley and wheat are all possible for the future � �we�re not ruling anything in or out�.

The soil may make at least part of the enterprise particularly suitable for vegetables in general and root crops in particular.

They took advice from the relevant state players, who they found to be very helpful: �We talked to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Teagasc to start the process. �They have been very supportive from day one. Pat Barry, the national organic advisor from Teagasc was always there with info when I needed it. All of the advisors in all of the sectors vegetables, grains, cereal crops, dairy, were all very helpful�.

As this massive and productive farm goes through the process of conversion, the organic sector will surely feel the ripples reverberate down from the tip of the north west of the island. Literally any sector they choose to go into, indeed any related sector, will feel the effects.

Will an Grianan help sort out the organic tillage shortfall? Will it reduce the proportion of imported organic vegetables on sale in Ireland? Only time will tell.

But whatever it does, being an operation on the scale it�s on, we�ll notice it.