Farm Diversification - piecemeal or significant?

Once seen as a diversion from 'real farming', increasingly, farmers are opting for one or more of the many diversification opportunities out there.

There are powerful drivers for this.

Off-farm employment has been a vital part of the rural economy in recent years. It accounted for 81% of household income on part-time farms and 38% on full-time farms according to the National Farm Survey 2009.

(pic: an apiary)

However, there has been a decline in the availability of off farm jobs since 2007 especially.

In 2009 �35% of farms, the main farm operator had off-farm jobs while on 51% of farms the farmer and/or the spouse had off-farm employment�. That's according to Teagasc economic geographer David Meredith, who also stated at a recent Jobs' conference:

�The level of off-farm employment dropped substantially from the peak in 2007 where on 41% of farms the main farm operator had off-farm employment, and the proportion of farms where the farmer and/or spouse had off-farm employment had reached 58%.�

While employment potential is still relatively high in some professional sectors, such as Science and ICT (Internet and Communications Technology), construction-related work and other manual and semi-skilled sectors have been are reducing their workforces.

Fast Forward to 2011, and the agricultural colleges are full of young potential farmers - a group to whom diversification appeals. With time on their side, better ICT skills, and sometimes a 3rd level education and some travel behind them, young farmers can be full of ideas for opportunities to generate novel sources of income.

Another significant driver of diversification is the new, central place agri-food takes up in plans for National Recovery. Harvest 2020 roadmaps growth in the agri-food sector from E8 billion to E12 billion by 2020, and diversified farm enterprises will be part of this drive.

According to preliminary findings from Teagasc's economic geographer David Meredith, 45% of farmers are interested in diversification. That his research was drawn from mainly larger dairy and drystock enterprises located in the Meath, Kildare and Wicklow area (with the remainder from Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo) makes this all the more significant: large, east coast farmers have not always been this interested in diversification.

He also points out that the rates of diversification in Ireland, though rising, are still very low. Less than 5%, or 5000 Irish farmers diversify, whereas in the UK, the figure is 51%.

However, in the UK, leasing space to businesses is a primary farm diversification, a factor which stems from the UK's dense population, and the proximity of most farmland to urban and industrial centres. So it is unlikely that anything like this level of diversification could happen in Ireland.

That said, farmers have certain advantages when it comes to diversification.

According to David Meredith, these include the fact that farmers, in general, have good business acumen; think long-term and strategically; are multi-skilled (from animal husbandry to administration); have access to personal supports -(i.e. family members' labour and skills); have access to community supports; understand regulatory frameworks; have valuable assets (for collateral, for storage, as workshop space) and low borrowings.

He cites the following as challenges: Raising capital to develop new businesses; raising sufficient capital to meet matched funding requirements; overcoming the risk attached to a new venture, particularly, the impact it could have on the continued viability of the farm enterprise; lack of information on available financial and other supports; uncertainty concerning impact of regulations; a lack of time to develop new enterprises.

There are other negatives too: its not just access to information on funding � the funding itself is under threat. The current LEADER embargo on on-farm food production, processing or preparation came as a bolt out of the blue for many applicants, and has seriously delayed many diversification plans. There is no guarantee it will be resolved in a way conducive to current applications.

Some of the first cuts of the recent recession were in agri-food, to REPS (Rural Environment Protection Scheme) and FEPS (Forest Environment Protection Scheme). Considering the length of the commitment and long term planning involved in forestry, the 8% FEPS premium cut in 2009 was especially severe. The scheme is also difficult to join now.

Likewise, the supports available under the AEOS scheme are nowhere near the REPS supports levels.

On the individual level, ICT skills are increasingly important, and this is not an area all farmers are comfortable with, though upskilling is available, and family members can be drawn on.

It is also the case that with cuts pending in the next sequence of budgets, and with the overall effect of the recession, there are demand problems too - potential customers have less money. Add to this what are considered especially strict interpretations of EU rules and regulations in Ireland when compared to elsewhere in the EU, for one of the key areas of diversification � artisan food processing (cheese, ice cream etc).

Farmers also have options other than diversification coming downstream, in particular upscaling and intensifying, with the end of dairy quota in 2015.

There are positives too. Certain areas in diversification are genuine growth areas. Sales of organic food on the mainland of the EU, where the recession has not been as difficult, are stable and rising. Indeed the organic market in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland continued to grow even in 2009-2010. All have increased growth rates for 2011.

In organics and elsewhere, it is also the case that forming a group - producer group, co-op or limited company - can pool resources and allow for economies of scale to develop, as the success the Leitrim Organic Co-op has in finding premiums for its members suggests.

Thinking more as a business person than just as a farmer can be beneficial too: Utilizing ICT is affordable in set-up terms. Selling on ebay or other similar sites has become more and more popular, whilst web-based sales are a real growth area in general.

In the UK, on-line sales in January 2011 were at the highest level for any January. There, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, online retailers accrued �5.1bn sales for January this year, a massive 21% increase on last January.

According to Paul McCarthy of Teagasc, many areas in the green economy offer up significant potential. He lists �renewables, biomass, crops or services on the green side, wood chip, anaerobic digestion, wind, retrofitting houses even, miscanthus or willow�. McCarthy points out that there are also options to scale these up to a national level � as an example, a wood chip or a retro fit/insulation company can move from being a single farm nixer into a regional and then nationwide industry.

And while he is hopeful that supports in this area will grow, Ireland has stiff competition from elsewhere in terms or supports and returns. �For energy, to take one example, the odds are stacked against farmers here, compared to Northern Ireland. They have better paybacks from the National Grid, and their incentives are lined up� says McCarthy.

Innovation and planning are vital. Before you start, you may want to consider availing of background household budgeting supports.

Teagasc's Options programme is one such support. David Meredith: �Options works with farm households to assess their current status and evaluates what steps might be undertaken to sustain the farm business into the future. The programme takes a realistic look at the household's financial situation by first establishing the level of income generated from farm activities and off-farm employment�.

He continues: �the costs of running the farm enterprise and household living expenses are then assessed with regard to, firstly, the income situation and, secondly, future income needs which might revolve around making allowance for pension savings or sending children to college�.

Teagasc have developed a �Household Budget Calculator� which is available through their website. This calculator lets farm households track where the money goes every month, which is the first step in assessing their current status.

Interested in Organic Farming? Then do one of these courses

A new round of Teagasc Organic Training courses have been announced.

These courses are compulsory for operators (i.e. farmers and food businesses) who want to apply to join the Organic Farming Scheme.

Accredited to FETAC level 5, they run over 25 hours, and are held one day per week for five consecutive weeks.

While technically compulsory, these Teagasc courses are also very useful for any farmer thinking of converting a holding to organic. All the basics of converting are outlined.

These include the organic standards, principles of organic production, economic viability and market opportunities, all of which will be covered to the required detail.

So participants will learn about costs, planning, returns, markets, nutrient and manure management, crop and animal husbandry, rotations, grass and forage management.

They also learn background information on organic farming and food, as well as available supports and reputable sources of information.

All of these Teagasc Organic Farming courses are tailored to suit the class, and involve guest experts and farm visits. Participants also work on their conversion plans, filling in the necessary application forms and writing a business plan � all very worthwhile tasks in themselves.

The locations and dates are as follows: 25 January Macroom; 26 January Ballinasloe; 26 January Tullamore; 27 January Clonmel; 27 January Mohill; 27 January Swinford; 28 January Ballyhaise; 28 January Tinahely.

I spoke to Teagasc organic advisors about the locations and the courses more generally.

Some of the above locations have not had Teagasc Organic Training Courses previously.

According to the advisors, they are responding to demand, and there is significant demand in these new locations. This is no bad sign for the growth in the numbers of farmers who may be farming organically in the coming years.

Already, 80 have participated in the courses that ran before Christmas, and about 500 have done the courses over the last 12 months. Of these about 50% have joined or applied to join the Organic Farming Scheme.

There are some distinct groups doing these courses. Farmers coming to the end of their REPS Three are interested. Returnees to farming are also interested.

There are a few types in this latter category. Many farmers had moved into construction during the Celtic Tiger years. They are now moving back to farming, and some of these are moving in to organic farming.

While there were some obvious transferable skills from farming to construction, there have also been returnees to farming from the financial and IT sectors. One I spoke with recently, Conor McDonagh, moved back from a business and athletics background in Australia to a completely changed Ireland in 2008.

He now is farming organically on his family land in Cavan, and is restocking an island his father once had cattle on, with organic goats and pigs. (see the current edition of the magazine Organic Matters for a full feature on this farmer)

Inevitably, some of these returnees have new ideas and skills about how and what should be produced from the home farm. This in turn has led to an increase in the number of farmers interested in value adding, rather than the more standard commodity production, according to the advisors.

In other words, more farmers are interested in retaining more of the ownership of both the product and the profits from the enterprise.

They also tell me that the organic farm walks have demystified organic farming, and helped with a process of myth-busting. The fact that the AEOS scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme can both be run simultaneously is also no doubt attractive to farmers considering their options.

(Note: At time of going to press, the next round of the Organic Farming Scheme has not formally been announced. However, as there were no budget cuts announced to either the Grant Aid or the Farming Scheme itself, stakeholders I have spoken to are hopeful that the overall Organic Farming Scheme will be available again for 2011.)

For more information, see www.teagasc.ie or contact: Pat Barry, Moorepark 087 2138331; Dan Clavin, Athenry 087 9368506; Elaine Leavy, Grange 087 9853285; James McDonnell, Oak Park 087 3293820.

REALLY - WHERE'S THE (ORGANIC) BEEF JOHN?

Part two of my beef interview session with John Brennan. This one discusses the beef grade, and also features a different perspective to John's, that of Teagasc Organic Farming Advisor James McDonnell.

How should quality be defined in organic beef? There are two schools of thought.

(Pic: some of Joe Condon's galloway cattle)

One school suggests that organic cattle should be graded along the same lines as conventional, using the EU R O P system.

For non-farmer readers: This grid or grade system scores cattle carcass shape and muscle development from the top (E) to the bottom (P). Numbers 1 to 5 denote degree of fat on the carcass, with 1 having the least and 5 the most. Thus, in conventional farming, top price achieving animals are up at the U or (rarely) E levels, with a fat score of 1 or 2.

In organic farming in Ireland, a flat price is used instead of this grade system. However, it, or a modified version, is used in other EU countries for organic beef animals.

It could be argued that organic farming does not reward the highest achievers, producing, in conventional terms, the best animals. According to James McDonnell, organic advisor with Teagasc:

�The flat price doesn't do anything for the (organic) sector: in conventional, its all about quality. Good quality cattle and good carcass with better overall cuts are not being rewarded.�

�A Belgian Blue has more fillets, round roast and so on; but it could be argued that, in organic, poor animals are overpaid for, and visa versa. The factories would also prefer quality as they make more.�

He continues: �When factories were paying flat, there were beef blockages in the conventional sector�, pointing out that the flat price may also be mitigating against finishers in organic.

Indeed, top organic producers can sell into the conventional sector for the higher grade prices.

However, both the Good Herdsman and the Leitrim Co-op prefer to pay a flat rate.

For John Brennan of the Leitrim Co-op � we want to improve quality and confirmation, but this factory system isn't the answer�.

He points to a breed renowned for its eating quality: �Take the Aberdeen Angus � that is often graded as an O. It has a natural genetic merit in its confirmation, and for many consumers, the breed produces a superior meat. The grading system does not take organoleptic factors into account - so its about efficiency, not quality of meat. I won't accept anything but a flat rate.�

He continues �You need minimum of a 2 for fat cover � in Scotland R4 is ideal for organic. They have a lot of work done there on the Angus, where they are fed mostly on grass and silage, and finishing at 300 to 320 kg deadweight. Some oats and peas produced on the farm are also used as feed � really its a great system. Plus, they have managed to get PGI status for Scotch beef�.

Levels of grass feeding is another issue again: native breeds are more suited to a grass-based diet. Research suggests that increasing the grass content of the animal's diet increases the levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is thought to help protect against cancer, diabetes and heart disease, without using external inputs (e.g. imported oils) to achieve this.

�If we had the conventional grading system in organic, it would penalise the native breeds�, breeds that, in a nutshell are more suited to the terrain and climate in Ireland, can finish off grass and have tasty marbling.

There is another element to this: �increasingly, supermarket buyers, especially abroad, don't want continental animals from Ireland�. In other words, they want breeds traditionally associated with Ireland and Britain.

�We need to look at low input animals, animals that are carbon footprint friendly. There should be a good conversion of feed into meat, from silage and grass, with just a a small amount of supplements�.

Increasingly, science, through the use of stable isotope tests, can test the meat itself to differentiate beef based on diet.

Research in Ireland by Professor Frank Monaghan and others has now clearly demarked grass fed from other meat, and organic from conventional.

So, in the final analysis, is it about the consumer or the factory?

GETTING YOUR (ORGANIC) OATS: HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE

1800 tonnes of Irish organic oats are now used by Flahavans in their products, up from just 100 tonnes in 2008.

This is quite a jump, as in 2008 the majority of the oats in Flahavans organic products were sourced from abroad, including from far flung territories like Argentina and Canada.

Now between 60% and 75% of their organic oats are sourced in Ireland.

I met John Noonan, sales and marketing director with Flahavans at the National Organic Awards at Bord Bia's offices in Dublin.

Their jumbo porridge oats were commended at the awards in the sustainability category, because of some of the environmental innovations they have recently carried out.

(pic from bibliocook - great site!)

Along with the recyclable packaging, the processing plants themselves are now more sustainable: The burning of the outer shell of the oat powers the boiler, which generates steam for the cooking process.

They also generate electricity from the original millstream alongside their mill, which will soon be the only mill left in Ireland.

Their recent upscaling and upgrading of their processing facilities involved an investment of E1.7 million on drying, grain handling and storage equipment: they can now store 4000 tonnes of organic oats.

Vital for Ireland Incorporated, Flahavans have been leading the charge on exports, with 20% of their sales now going to foreign markets. This is primarily to the UK, where over 200 Tescos and a slightly smaller number of Waitrose stores carry their products, along with Wholefoods and Tree of Life.

More recently the Spanish market has opened up for them, whilst they are also initiating sales to the US.

Of the four Teagasc's organic advisors, James McDonald covers the south east. He thus has his ear to the ground when it comes to the organic tillage sector.

Growth in the sector he puts down to the efforts made by Flahavans to build Irish production of oats: �Flahavans have attended numerous farm walks and conferences over the last two years. They have been very publicly looking to increase the number of farmers who supply them.�

He continues: �The price has been reasonably good for oats for the last couple of years too. 2 years ago they were paying E400 per tonne. Last year, it was still strong but back to E340 a tonne.�

These reasonable prices encouraged farmers into organic, and also encouraged farmers who did not previously have tillage to to take on some oats as part of their mixed enterprise.

However, according to McDonald: �Tillage now is as valuable as a feed crop� as the price paid for feed is almost if not actually the equal of the processor price:

Indications are that organic oats will fetch just E300 per tonne this year.

In effect, the organic beef and sheep sectors are defining the price of the oats as much as Flahavans. This may have the effect of putting a floor beneath any further price drops, as growers can simply turn to the feed market.

And with, by a considerable distance, the biggest progress being made in beef and sheep in terms of conversion to organic in recent years, including 2010, this situation is likely to continue.

According to McDonald: �for example, one farmer I was dealing with went in (to the organic farming scheme) on the 15th May with 100 sucklers. He'll need 80 or 90 tonnes to finish. So organic beef growth is driving demand, as is the euro exchange rate.�

The latter effects the price of imports from the UK, where significant increases in organic oat production, for the feed export market, have been noted in recent years.

This all points to a stable and reasonable situation for organic oat growers in Ireland: not as well rewarded as two years ago, but then, very few people in any sector, farming or otherwise, are.

Next, we'll talk to one of the tillage farmers who supplies Flahavans, Richard Galvin of Portlaw in Waterford.

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS (ORGANIC WEEK)

A busy National Organic Week has left the organic sector buzzing. Plenty of well attended events, some new research, promising policy developments and upcoming opportunities have all emerged.

Early on in the week, the Picnic in the Park in Portumna (pictured, left (c) Oliver Moore) was a very positive event indeed. This was certainly an event that attracted many people who were simply out and about in the greater Galway North Tipperary and West Offaly region for the day.

And that's what was so interesting about the day; its straightforwardness. It came across as a cross between an agricultural show and a foodie eat in, with nothing especially alternative about the crowd in attendance.

Slow Food the ICSA and IOFGA were the main organisers, while many local food businesses chipped in.

All the traders were certified organic who attended, and all sold out of their food exceptionally early. The location was stunning, while the activities ranged from informative and inspiring forest walks with Andrew St.Ledger of the Woodland League to detailed discussions on the process of converting to organic with Pat Barry, Mary Lynch and a genuinely interested crowd.

In many ways, attending an event like this, one full of positivity and great food, is as useful an introduction to organic farming and food as a farm walk or a course.

The National Organic Awards were also positive, as awards often are. However it was interesting to be in a room full of businesses and agency workers who seemed quite positive about the future.

Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe's speech pointed to a renewed Green public procurement initiative, which would be incorporating organic produce.

The market's message was mixed: According to Cuffe:

�The Irish organic market is estimated to be worth about �95 million this year compared to �66 million in 2006. Admittedly the figure is down from last year, but the decrease is more in value than in volume and the trend is more or less the same as we see in the conventional sector�.

�Despite this some sectors have bucked the trend. For example, Organic Yoghurt has shown a 24% growth in volume and diary is an area that is largely supplied by domestic production.�

Bord Bia's own research, released to coincide with National Organic Week, found that 33 per cent of Irish grocery shoppers purchased an organic product in the past week, up 2% on the 2008 figure.

It also found the volume of sales steady, and that 30 per cent of these consumers are purchasing more organic food than they were last year. Sixty-two per cent were buying the same amount of organic food.

Another possible policy development is the establishment of an organic horticulture advisor. Flagged at the Teagasc National Organic Conference in Birr last Thursday, if this does come to pass it would indeed be a positive and much needed development: there is significant interest in and need for dedicated organic horticulture advisory services.

However, in a possible sign of the wavering economic times, there was much talk of the fact that efforts were being made to make this happen rather than its certainty.

Good news for cattle and sheep farmers emerged from John Purcell of the Good Herdsman, who also spoke at the Teagasc event. He revealed some areas where he felt there would be a need for animals to service organic markets: �the industry needs an extra 6000 organic cattle to make a strong presence on the European Market� he claimed.

Purcell also pointed out that by introducing a branded organic product abroad - the organic steakhouse range - Good Herdsman was able to secure a premium and avoid a commodity race to the bottom, thus avoiding competition with South American Beef.

Winter finishing off green forage offers lamb producers some opportunities too, according to Purcell. He pointed out that if 4-5000 winter lambs were finished, processors would find European markets for them.

All in all, plenty of positivity emanated from Organic week . Here's hoping it is built upon.

WHAT'S ON THE ORGANIC RADAR? SEE HERE!

As Autumn starts to approach the Organic calendar begins to hot up. A few Teagasc organic demonstration farm walks remain, entries need to organised for the National Organic Awards and National Organic Week itself is being planned.

Remaining walks include field scale vegetables (August 26th Offaly) Beef, sheep, pigs, tillage, direct selling (August 31st Laois), dairying and biodiversity (September 1st Tipperary), beef, sheep, pigs, tillage (September 2nd Cavan), dairying tillage and farm shop (Kildare) and horticulture and direct selling (Galway).

(Pic: Una Ni Bhroin of Beechlawn Organic farm, which is holding an event for National Organic Week 2010)

All walks are on at 2 pm this year. This factor does make it more difficult for part time farmers to attend, which has had a bearing on numbers: last year's times were more varied.

Some of these walks are especially noteworthy. The Cavan event is on Richard Moeran's land, who also, as it happens, now supplies excellent organic poultry. This poultry is usually available at Declan McCarthy's organic mobile butcher's unit in various parts of the north west, including Cavan and Sligo farmers' markets.

Moeran is most noted, however, for his rare breed pigs. So if this area is of any interest to you, its well worth visiting his Mountnugent holding.

The last two walks have distinct direct selling elements: indeed the event on 3rd September on Peter and Jenny Young's farm, is on a holding which features a veritable A-Z of diversification, from cheese making to allotment training. In offering the latter, the couple train both farmers in offering allotments and allotmenteers in growing.

Now in their 4th year, the National Organic Awards have highlighted some spectacularly fine foods. Last year's winner, Moonshine dairies' unhomogenised milk, was and still is a fabulous product at a great price.

This year's awards have been extended to include organic horticulture growers. The announcement of the awards will coincide with National Organic Week (13th-19th September).

The award categories are: Best Organic Retail Product; Best Organic Local Product; Best Organic Export Product; Best Organic New Product; Best Sustainable Organic Product.

Each of the above five winners will then be put forward for judging for the Best Overall Organic Product. Application forms are available to download from the Bord Bia website

Also on their site, the list of events for National Organic Week itself is growing and growing. These range in size from tastings and tours to seminars and conferences. There are events on in the Nano Nagle Centre (Cork), Gortbrack (Kerry), Beechlawn House (Galway), various farmers markets and stores, and more soon to be announced.

Organic conferences are listed for both the Wexford Organic Centre and for the Hodson Bay hotel

According to Eileen Bentley of Bord Bia the aim of the week is to increase �the awareness of organic food benefits amongst core target audience� which she describes as �female, pre-family/young family.�

She goes on: �We will be doing this via a mix of activities on a national and local level, including national press advertising, bus shelter advertising, PR, on-line activities, in-store point of sale materials and funding for local producer events nationwide.�

She also makes reference to local events listed on the site and to the awards as being part of this promotional work. On the day of the awards' announcement, September 14th, �a workshop seminar for organic producers targeting the German market will also be held in Bord Bia, delivered by Grunekopfe Berlin� according to Bentley.

One element that will differ this year for National Organic Week is the promotional phrase used. Following a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland, last year's phrase 'Organic: good for nature good for you' has been dropped.

The new phrase? 'Organic farming: good for nature good for you.' The latter is OK because its an approved EU phrase, whereas the the former was adapted.

Just how the word farming changes the meaning so much is a bit mysterious. It must be all the weeding. Organic farming � helps you get fit!

For a listing of the ever expanding array of events being held forr National Organic Week, see here

Teagasc Organic Farming Walks

Here are the Teagasc organic farming demonstration walks for 2010.

Remaining walks cover beef, sheep, poultry, pigs, tillage, field scale and market garden horticulture, direct selling, dairying, biodiversity & farm shops.

See PDF here

The Organic Farming Scheme 2010:who will join, and why will they do it?

Perhaps the most stark thing about the article below is the fact that 2/3 of certified organic sheep meat gets sold as conventional. What a waste!

There is a solution to this, for at least some farmers willing to grasp the nettle: direct selling 100% grass fed extra mature organic lamb (extra mature means about 15-18 months) .

My other blog, here, is all about this (as well as other hill farmed organic products)

See, I don't just write about food, I try to change it too!

For now, here's the state of play for the new crop of organic potentials, 2010........

The May 15th deadline for signing up to the Organic Farming Scheme is fast approaching and the last of the compulsory Teagasc Organic training courses are finishing up.

With these in mind, I spoke to Teagasc organic advisor Pat Barry about this years crop of organic hopefuls.

�I don't think all of the 400 or so who have done the course will sign up for the Organic Farming Scheme this year�, he tell me. �Some will take their time - its a big decision to convert a holding, and those who have done the course this year now see what's involved. They can make a more informed decision for next year, which is probably better for the longer term sustainability of the organic sector�.

In organic tillage, while there has been some interest due to the green manure payment, poor returns in conventional, and the availability of conventional slurry to organic farmers, nonetheless take up of stockless tillage remains weak.

In the main �farmers are bringing balance into their own organic units: tillage is being incorporated into livestock farms�.

Numbers converting are strong for sheep and beef. The diet of organic cattle has to be 60% grass, so the variable price of feeds is not as much an issue fas it is for conventional beef farmers.

That said, �the price of organic concentrates is back significantly, but then again, so is the price of beef� according to Pat Barry.

As has been the case, finding markets for organic lamb remains difficult: �2/3 of raw lamb in organic goes into the conventional sector: For every 20,000 ewes only 8,000 lambs are sold as organic. That's a conservative estimate�.

Out of season lamb production is one way to try to access an organic price premium, according to Barry.

One of the most significant changes in organic horticulture and tillage will be the effect of an Grainan, the operation run by Donegal Creameries.

They will be providing �80 acres of carrots and spuds, and a couple of hundred of wheat.�

320 acres of this massive holding, called an Grainan, went fully organic on 1st March. Currently, it produces arable crops, beef, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and milk.

In diary, he points out that five are coming on stream this year, and another 3 to 4 next year. This represents a significant increase: �there will be a 20% increase in cow numbers: it will be important for the sector and the market to be fully in tune�.

However, Donegal Creameries again will exert major influence on dairy dynamics.

According to Ian Ireland, Managing Director, Donegal Creameries, they recently invested a significant amount of money in the building of an organic yogurt production plant at their Killygordon site where the company has been processing milk for over a century.

This has allowed the company to supply ALDI's 74 stores nationwide with an organic yogurt range.

The new Liskeel organic yogurt range in ALDI is made by Donegal Creameries. The 500ml pots retail at E1.39 � considerably cheaper than many competitors.

As LIDL and ALDI try to tempt different shoppers in with more diverse products, consumers are shopping around more than just a few short years ago.

Recent research in Ireland suggests that the number of retail outlets people visit regularly has gone from 2.2 to 2.8.

The race to the bottom in price terms is, in many ways, the conventionalisation of the organic sector.

Barry, like many others, suggests �cutting out the middle man� i.e. direct selling, primarily at farmers' markets, as a way to add to, or at least maintain, a price premium.

Along with this, many producers are finding that organic alone is no longer enough. Adding extra meanings - such as health, taste, locale, breed/variety, environment, production methods - to your product, along with organic, is a way forward.

Soon, we will feature here a beef farmer in conversion to organic who has secured an interesting route to market with an interesting breed of animal.

Who's thinking about going organic for 2010?

The rate of conversion to organic in Ireland has fluctuated over the years. More recently, slow but steady growth has been recorded.

At present, the main block to conversion is a technical one: �quite a number of farmers are still in REPS 3, and won't finish until 2011� according to Teagasc organic farming specialist Dan Clavin. �They can't actually sign up to the organic farming scheme until their REPS 3 runs out�.

The Department tried to have this situation rectified at EU level, to no avail. Nonetheless, there are at present about 150 people signed up to the organic farming courses running at the various centers around Ireland.

More courses will run early next year due to demand. And, according to Dan Clavin: �there will be an on line course too; that might suit part timers�. He goes on: �There will still be farm visits on this course�.

Of the 150 signed up, the majority of the farmers are involved with drystock enterprises.

The greatest interest in the courses is coming from the regions where the numbers of organic farmers is already strong. So in broad terms there are more participating in the courses in the south than the northern half of the country.

According to Teagasc organic farming specialist Pat Barry; �There has been an excellent start to the courses, with a high level of interaction between the farmer participants and the advisers involved. It is proving to be extremely useful in helping individuals evaluate their own farming systems and to make an informed decision when converting to organic status. �

Pat Barry's courses run in Clonmel, Mallow and Killarney, with about 15 participants in each.

�I'm running three at present, and all are full, with 22 in each� according to Dan Clavin. �Most are farmers with sucklers. Some are looking at finishing, at cutting down on suckler numbers, or trying to sell weanlings as stores or for finishing�.

Some bad prices have been reported at marts for organic cattle, so it is understandable that at least some are considering finishing.

He goes on �There is less finishing in the west, farmers over here are more used to carrying lambs or weanlings�.

In terms of what's attracting farmers to organic, �they see good prices for organic beef and are disillusioned with conventional farming� suggests Clavin. This disillusionment comes from �both the price they are getting and the cost of farming conventionally�.

Dan Clavin's courses are currently running in Ennis, Athenry and Boyle, which covers most of Clare and Connaught.

According to Clavin �There is strong interest in the west: next up will be Claremorris due to demand in Galway and Mayo�.

The midlands are being covered by Teagasc's James McDonnell and Elaine Leavy. There are about 35 in total on these courses, which run in Portlaoise and Mullingar.

Portlaoise is one of the few courses featuring tillage farmers: while some dry stock farmers consider feed crops, there are tillage growers in Portlaoise considering the currently attractive organic oat price, and Flahavan's stated desire to source more Irish grown organic oats.

While there is a smattering of horticulture also represented on some of the courses, it seems thus far only one dairy farmer has signed up for one of these courses.

In the North West has demand so far been slow, with the course in Letterkenny canceled. However, according to Elaine Leavy, who was due to run this course, it will most likely run in the new year.

In the course of other organic farming related work, I have myself spoken to three hill farmers from south Donegal who are ready to do the course, which is encouraging.

Mary Lynch is also running a Teagasc approved course in the Nano Nagle centre in Mallow, Cork.

All in all, this level of interest does represent still more slow but steady growth. Depending upon the number of courses that run in the new year, this trickle may at least become a stream.

National Organic Week 2009

National Organic Week is almost upon us. While it is aimed more at the consumer than the producer, some of those hosting Teagasc organic farm walks also do events during National Organic Week. An example is Castlefarm in Kildare on the 19th September.

National Organic Week will include the National Organic Awards, as well as events in at least 18 counties. There are an array on display for the week, from cookery demos and meet the producer events to walks, talks and tastings.

Two quirky farmers market events include: organic pig on a spit in Carlow farmers market (19th September) and the organic food quiz in Mahon Point's farmers market (ongoing).

Simply Organic, the organic fresh fruit and vegetable distributors, are hosting what will surely be a thought provoking series: a schools organic food forum in various Wicklow Schools.

There are also a range of events orgnaised by the Organic Centre in Leitrim, incorporating community gardening, their women's horticulture group and cross border events.

As autumn approaches and then arrives, there really is no excuse not to get out there and get interacting with your local organic community.

For full details, click here

Organic dairy farming: a viable option?

Is it worth considering the organic option if you are a diary farmer? And if so, how does the day to day practice of farming differ from conventional farming?

First, the organic option for diary. The the formation of a new company for the organic dairy sector, called the Irish Organic Milk Producers (IOMP), will certainly help. From launching a new product range, to pooling resources and lobbying, the benefits of the company will be numerous.

IOMP has a current pool of 4 million litres of quota, rising to 6 million soon.

The freeing up of quota has increased the opportunities for the sector.

An issue however remains the stocking rates and housing differences between conventional and organic dairying: conventional farmers who have invested in high stocking numbers and specialised housing have already made serious commitments.

That said, according to Teagasc figures, the organic dairy sector is profitable. Whilst output is 8% higher on conventional diary farms, family farm income is 7% higher on organic dairy farms due to total costs being 16% lower.

These figures are explained by the fact that, while gross output, gross margins and overhead costs are all similar, direct costs are 708E per hectare on organic dairy farms, whilst the conventional equivalent is 923E per hectare.

Direct payments are also 12% higher on organic farms, which are also on average 1/3 larger. This compensates for the lower stocking rate organic farms must carry.

According to Teagasc statistics on winter milk, organic diary farms scored almost as well as the top 10% in the conventional diary sector.

Teagasc's James McDonnell: �There is an opportunity for conventional spring milk producers to switch to organic production and gain 10,000 gallons of quota to grow their business. �

He also points out that there is profitability potential due to the fact that conventional �milk prices are falling on the world market at present�.

John Liston farms 80 hectares near Croom in Limerick. He stocks both dairy cows and beef animals, and has a hectare of forestry. He converted to organic in December 06, and has sold milk to Glenisk since then.

John's 60 cows calve in July August. He carries the calves to yearling, with the males sold as year olds and the heifers sold to be put into calf. Some are also fattened for Jennings meats in Mayo. He has a 60,000 gallon quota.

Feed price and availability is an issue. At present, a local organic farmer, Harry O Grady, supplies oats. The establishment of the new IOMP is a great help, according to John, as organic dairy farmers can now pool resources, source inputs and increase efficiency.

He gives an example: �you can divide an artic load of feed between 2 or 3 farmers, so there's no half loads�.

�For me, converting was easy because I'd a small quota relative to the farm size� he tells me.

One of the biggest changes between organic and conventional is �that you don't have early grass. That's where you need extra silage. You have as much late on, but its tight in March April.� To this end, he planted red clover, �for quality of silage and yield� he tells me. With clover, John gets �three crops off one meadow, about 20 round bales per acre�.

Medically, John sometimes uses homeopathy for dosing calves. He also finds that putting calves under cows he has problems with can help.

In yield terms, the weather is always an issue. Simply put, the longer the animal stays on grass, the cheaper it is for John.

Compared to other sectors, diary can involve significant changes when converting to organic. All told however, it is certainly worth considering.

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.

For more see here and click on events, or ring 059 917 0200

climate change and farming in Ireland: part 2

photo by: Mariah gale, licienced under creative commons

In November, Minister for the Environment John Gormley said that �all sectors will have to cut emissions�. According to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, �making significant cuts from agriculture will be very difficult�.

He warned against �significant downward pressure on animal numbers, something that would �in a global context make no sense�.

The Minister said that if Ireland was to reduce cattle numbers, the global climate change situation would actually be worsened because "Irish beef would simply be replaced on world markets by beef produced in a much less sustainable way".

This point of carbon leakage has been raised in many quarters. Essentially the suggestion is that if we stop producing, other less sustainable regions in the world will instead. This will increase rather than decrease overall GHG emissions.
Department of Environment representative, when queried, claimed that �there is no confusion between this Department and the Department of Agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector.�

Simple and straightforward. And yet, there since the EU targets were agreed, there has been a rumbling on going discussion on footing the GHG bill. Enough to remind one of Queen Gertrude's most famous line: 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks'.

What has been dubbed the 'cow tax memo' suggested, according to reports, that �imposing a levy on all livestock is the best way to avoid having to cut the size of the national herd�.

This memo proposes a levy set at �5 per tonne of CO2 emitted, to generate just over �100 million. This has been reported as an equivalence of a levy of �13 for each dairy cow, �7 for non diary cow, �1 for sheep.

Minister Brendan Smith and even the EU commission have all come out railing against the possibility of this cow tax.

According to former Green Party leader, Minister of State Trevor Sargent, who's brief also includes cattle breeding, �A myth has been peddled however claiming Minister for the Environment and Local Government John Gormley T.D. is in favour of a cattle cull to reduce methane emissions. This is completely untrue and is a gross disservice to the work Minister Gormley has been doing to help the long term viability of all sectors, including agriculture�.

He points to two crucial areas his colleague has achieved for Ireland and agriculture with regard to climate change: In the European climate change deal agreed before Christmas, �Minister Gormley ... achieved flexibility in the deal to ensure that Ireland did not face higher costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and that we would not be forced to reduce our national herd�.

Gormley �also met with the European Presidency�s chief climate change negotiator, and was successful in having carbon leakage placed onto the agenda for future climate change negotiations�.

Just how much agriculture should pay is an altogether more interesting question in a contracting economy.

While demand for higher end food products may reduce abroad, it is likely that agriculture, which already provides 32% of net foreign earnings, will become more prominent in the future. Ireland have various practical advantages in producing food (e.g. climate, access to markets) which do not pertain in most other economic sectors.

According to Dr Mary Kelly of the EPA �The profile of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland is unusual in the European context, with agriculture currently accounting for 27 per cent of all emissions and 40 per cent of emissions in the non-trading sector. This makes it very difficult to effect actual reductions on the scale required in the non-trading sector�.

The Koyoto targets, it seems, might be reachable due to recession. However the EU targets will prove far more difficult. Climate change experts have predicted that Ireland's' emissions will be down by between 5 and 9% in 2009, because of the recession.

Frank Convery, professor of environmental policy at University College Dublin, was reported recently as saying that Ireland's emissions may well be as close to the 63 million tonnes permitted under Koyoto. This would save the government E300 million in the purchase of carbon credits.

A recent EPA report, issued in March of this year, considers different scenarios, including that of economic shock until 2010 � decline by 7% each year until 2010, and then growth until 2020.

According to the EPA report, irrespective of economic performance, there is only one scenario for agricultural emission projections:

�Emissions are projected to decrease by 4% over the period 2007 � 2020 to 17.8 Mtonnes of CO2e.� This estimate was actually 18.95 Mtonnes in 2008, so agriculture is performing even better than just last year's predictions from the EPA itself. Agriculture in 1990 accounted for 35% of emissions.

Individual sectors performance within agriculture underscore this fact: According to Dr Gerry Boyle of Teagasc �Technological advances in dairy production, for example, have led to a drop of 12.4% in the amount of methane produced per kg of milk between 1990 and 2006�.

Most GHG emissions from Irish agriculture are methane from livestock and nitrous oxide from soils.

Specific measures under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) �are expected to raise awareness amongst farmers of the need to address climate change and also to promote greater acceptance and uptake of technologies that contribute to greenhouse gas abatement, such as use of minimum tillage and the adoption of low emission trailing shoe technology for slurry spreading� a DAFF spokesperson said, when queried.

Other abatement strategies include: dietary modifications, additives or probiotics to reduce methane production, breed selection, increasing the length of the grazing season and breeding more efficient animals.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the nitrates directive had resulted in �better use of nutrients with consequently less nitrogen application and therefore fewer nitrous oxide emissions�. This includes matching nitrogen use to soil type, increasing clover use on farms, use of nitrate inhibitors�.

It was also suggested that �in terms of reduced fertiliser use and consequent emissions, organic farming will also have a role to play and is supported through the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food's Organic Farming Scheme.�

Forestry and energy crops are also relevant. To encourage energy crop cultivation, the National Energy Crop Premium (E80 per hectare) was introduced in 2007 to supplement the EU Premium of E45 per hectare.

A new Bioenergy Scheme was also launched offering establishment grants worth E1,450 per hectare to plant willow and miscanthus. Land planted with energy crops can also benefit under the Single Payment Scheme as well as REPS and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, subject to some restrictions on the areas planted.

The main issue from a farming perspective is, according to Gerry Boyle, �Gaining credits for afforestation and biomass production for bioenergy is problematic�. However, �there is no basis in logic for the agricultural sector not benefiting in accessing these offsets given that it is farmers that will need to alter their land use practices�.

However, there are other laggard areas. Gary Lanigan is a Teagasc research officer based in Johnstown Castle. His area of speciality is emissions, including GHG emissions, and soil carbon content.

According to Lanigan, while fertilizer usage is down down 20-25% from 1998, and while sheep and cattle numbers are down too, he estimates that �Only about 1% of farmers are using clover�.

Considering the numerous cost and environmental benefits, this is an astounding figure.

There are many considerations in the debate on GHG emissions. A complete and comprehensive life cycle analysis might skew all the figures again: While the application of fertilizer produces GHGs, so to does the making of fertilizers.

A nagging worry of course is the possibility that the scale of the problem and the scope of the solutions simply do not match up.

In the meantime, matching efficiencies and emissions, and seeing opportunities in the constraints may help agriculture move forward sustainably.

Early April organic events: thinking, doing and no april foolin

Plato and Aristotle explore organic farming in Ireland

Plato looked to an ideal essence from which our understanding of reality is formed, Aristotle looked at things. Heaven and earth, the sky and the ground, the astral and terra firma.

From fundos to realos (see history here), the organic movement has alwys had both practical and philosophical dimensions. The beginning of April is a golden opportunity to engage in both.

The least apt day of the year for the now departed Merf � Dr. Charles Merfield � to give a talk in Ireland is April Fool's day, for he's far from a fool.

In fact, he's a classic brainbox, full of science, ideas, and inventions.

Merf, until recently an organic crop researcher with Teagasc and UCD, returns to Ireland to give a talk entitled 'Organics: Philosophy of Agriculture Science and Ethics' in UCD on April 1st at 1pm.

This talk is part of the UCD History and Philosophy of Science Lecture Series, and is being held in the Seminar Room of the Humanities Institute of Ireland at University College Dublin (UCD).

Merf's seminar will briefly review the history and context of organic agriculture from its beginnings in the early 1900s with its focus on soil nutrition and human health. It will then examine the 1960s anti synthetic biocide revolution and finally today's multiple organic systems will be considered.

This history will provide a foundation �to examine the fundamental differences between organic and industrial agriculture with a particular focus on ethics, and the role of science followed by and exploration of organic's critique of industrial agriculture� according to Merf.

The next day, April 2nd, features a perhaps more typical but nonetheless interesting organic farming day.

The Teagasc organic conference will be held in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. It begins at 9am, and features a host of important speakers and topics.

The first session deals with a topic close to every farmers heart. It is entitled, very straightforwardly, 'Making Money from Organic Farming'. Two Teagasc organic advisors James McDonnell and Dan Clavin will present on profitability of organic farms and financial planning for farmers undergoing conversion.

The next sessions deals with market opportunities for organic milk, meat and grain. Perhaps suprizingly, there is no place at the table for the newly formed Irish Organic Milk Producers Company.

However, Glenisk's Vincent Cleary will be one of the chairs, along with chair of the National Organic Steering Committee John Duggan.

A highlight in this session will be the presentation by Dr. Nic Lampkin ofthe Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Berkshire. Nic's 1990 book on organic farming is considered a bible while his work on developing the organic sector in wales has been considered integral to their strong recent growth. Nic' s presentation is on UK and EU markets.

Along with Nic, John Purcell of the Good Herdsman � the largest organic meat processor in either Ireland or the UK, John Flahavan of Flahavans who have capacity to talk in more Irish produce, and Anthony Murphy (Skettering Nutrition, Co. Mayo) will present.

The after lunch session gives a farmer's perspective.

Cavan's Richard Moeran has been described as a rare breed with a rare breed. He is chair of Cavan IFA, certified organic and stocks saddleback pigs. He also carries lamb and beef, and grows much of his own feed.

His produce is sold direct and through supermarkets, so he really can speak from and for a number of perspectives.

Also presenting the farmers' perspective is Noel Lynch of Macroom (beef, sheep, tillage)
and Fintan Rice, of Fethard, Co. Tipperary (dairying).

Following this, another session on profitabilty will be held. This time, the focus is on increasing profit margins outside the farm gate. This session is chaired by Peter Young, organic farmer and journalist.

His own Castlefarm enterprise is a great model for innovative ways to increase profitability. With his wife Jenny, they direct sell, make their own cheese, do school trips and a host range of courses. The next one is on making outdoor clay ovens.

Lorcan Burke (Bord Bia) will present on purchasing trends in the current climate, while Mark Winterbotham, (Gold River Farms, Co. Wicklow) will present on direct selling.

See here or ring 059 917 020

All I want for christmas....

Before I start my annual christmas list to santy, if you are interested in accessing the most recent organic steering committee report, it's available here

(Pic is from young greens site of a green santy on grafton street)

for the previous wish list, click here

Now for the serious stuff:

Dear Santy
Wow. What a year eh? A real 'may you live in interesting times' of a year. I'm writing this to you from a state of mild confusion. Hopefully you'll understand what I mean, and I'll get some of these organic gifts from you.

I'm confused santy, because I thought that organic and conventional were different. Apparently you can even be sent to jail for claiming to be organic if you are not. There are people employed to go around inspecting operators to make sure they actually are organic to the letter of the law. And yet, when it came time for the Arnold Schwarzenegger-like Total Recall of pork products, they also recalled organic pork too Santy.

So this coming year, for Christmas, I'd love for differentiation between organic and conventional to actually mean something. I think the consumer has actually been more confused by organic pork's sudden disappearance, as they must surely have thought all along that that organic pigs eat different food to conventional ones. What must they think now?

Along with this Santy, I'd love some organic cosmetics. Or health and beauty products as they are usually called. For herself of course � I prefer the more rugged look myself.

Both certification bodies in Ireland now have the right to certify for organic cosmetics, making themselves and the Soil Association in the UK world leaders it seems. All the Irish ones need now are products!

I'd also love for the gift of continued organic growth of organics, if you know what I mean. So hopefully once the farmers can start converting again on New Year's Day � as one of their new year's resolutions - there will be a flood of them Santy. Queues out the door of the IOFGA and Organic Trust offices longer than the Dole queues � that's what we want.

Also, if you could give Minister Sargent the gift of a ring fence around the money he's managed to keep for organic farmers, that would be absolutely great Santy. In fact, make it an electric ring fence, and give him a few high voltage cattle prods. He's going to need them. That would cover a lot. I know I'm giving away a present there, Santy, but giving is a gift in itself.

It seems there is nothing but negative talk and thinking these days Santy. Everyone seems to think that food with ethical values will be the first thing to go. They keep saying 'in the current economic climate' or in these 'recessionary times' as if that means � �stop thinking about frilly little exotic irrelevancies like the planet � we have an economy to protect�.

But Santy, organic is the food of the future - the oil won't last forever. Even Teagasc research points out that organic makes sense for both the planet and the farmer. I know cos I was at their recent conference, and organic farmers are making just as much money as their conventional counterparts. In fact, organic cattle farmers are making up to 56% more. And most still do this while doing a better job environmentally.

I'm sure someone out there was asking for a reduction in the price of feeds, fertilizers and fuels, but there are environmental costs in all of these Santy. I'm not so sure that that's all good news. Your reindeer's don't seem to need any of these to keep themselves going � a bit like those mountain sheep and cattle. I'd love to see more of them going organic Mr Claus � they might as well be. Organic would suit both their farming restrictions and their terrain. They'd get a great mark up if they converted, so they would.

And what about that EU pesticide review? I think you can guess what I want on that one. That might even things up between conventional and organic Mr. Claus. Organic might not seem so expensive then, eh?

Overall Santy, I suppose I might as well ask for a lot, as you do seem to give me want I want when I ask. In other years, I was very suprised at how generous you were. Please keep up the good work.

Yours in expectation more than hope

Ollie

Teagasc on organic farming and the environment

Sandwiched in between two bitterly cold and frosty mornings, the recent Teagasc organic farming conference in Tullamore still managed to attract a very sizable crowd.

This event brought together all of the organic-related research Teagasc are doing at present. In attendance were many farmers and others involved in organic farming, from DAFF and Bord Bia to media, organic certification bodies, advisors, planners and more.

The large attendance of farmers was perhaps unusual for a conference of what might have appeared to be academic papers. However, the papers were quite targeted and thus useful for the farming community.

It was also noteworthy that a sizable number of those in attendance were farmers already converted to organic who wanted to up their game. The mood was workmanlike, and quite positive.

This was reflected in the presentations, all of which were by Teagasc staff.

The four themed sections were environmental performance of organic, farm management and animal health; milk, beef and lamb production; crop rotation and nutrient replacement and finally analysis and attitudes.

In the opening section, considering Teagasc have to work for both the conventional and organic sectors, it was perhaps suprising to hear such waxing lyrical about the environmental superiority of organics.

In a paper presented by Dan Clavin, the areas organic scored best in were biodiversity, lower pesticide use (related to some extent to point one) and soil conservation. In fact, of 15 subsections, only two revealed some negative results for organic farming and its environmental performance. Even then, (nitrous oxide and nitrate leaching) the positive outweighed the negative.

An inevitable limitation in this research, and acknowledged by the author and presenter himself, is the lack of comparative studies of organic and conventional in Ireland. His research was based on dozens of international papers.

This limitation is a clarion call for further research specific to the Irish situation. In particular, the extensive nature of much conventional farming in Ireland would no doubt make for an interesting comparative environmental dynamic between organic and conventional.

Another perhaps unavoidable limitation is the reductive nature of the scientific process itself. There is, in science, a place for everything and everything is in its place.

Consider this: the sectors where organic scored worst environmentally were poultry and egg production. This is essentially because the birds live for twice the length of time as their cooped up conventional counterparts.

In this case, certainly animal welfare and perhaps taste inhibit environmental performance. And that�s one of the reasons why they call it organic - that is, holistic farming: it is difficult to compartmentalise as its benefits are spread throughout the agri-food system.

Again, the lack of Irish research makes even this area fraught: many Irish organic poultry and egg systems are on a small scale and considerably more environmentally benign than comparative organic systems abroad.

Space will not permit each paper presented to be given a full review. Suffice it to say that the second paper in this section, Rachel Creamer�s presentation on soil, also pointed to the superiority of organic farming. Soil development is an integral part of the organic approach, so this comes as no surprise.

Pat Barry and Brendan Swan presented on converting to organic. They emphasised planning, and focused in particular on high quality forage, maintaining animal welfare and soil fertility. Clover emerged as the mainstay of forage, while various preventative health strategies and nutrient management techniques were presented.

A detailed and comprehensive presentation on animal health performance, with particular reference to the dairy sector concluded this session. This is too detailed to summarize. However, the low fertility of the Holstein type diary cow, notwithstanding other merits, did emerge as a concern.

While a snapshot of the research presented might not be otherwise useful to the reader, this event differed from many in terms of the availability of the research presented.

Attendees received a weighty booklet with almost all presentations upon arrival. This booklet is available by post from Teagasc or to download. the presentations will also be downloadable from the site. So if you have an interest in some above outlined area, get in touch with Teagasc.

See here or ring 059 917 0200

The Organic Action Plan: what's in it?

Good news for organic dairy farmers, or those considered the option. According to the new Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food�s Organic Farming Action plan, the Department will, within three years, �facilitate the expansion of organic production by the allocation of additional milk quota�.

This stands out amongst the 64 actions in the plan as one of the mostlikely to have a positive effect. This is especially the case as recently this diary carried interviews with dairy farmers who specifically made the point that quota expansion was much needed.

The DAFF plan has four objectives � to increase production, increase the knowledge base, develop the market at home and abroad and to encourage public procurement.

The plan overlaps with the Teagasc organic production plan, though there are also some suprising differences. An obvious glaring example is horticulture. The DAFF plan asks for horticulture to be included, while ,as we pointed out last week, the Teagasc plan avoids it. The DAFF plan�s horticulture references include unusual phrases like �circulate possibilities�, �should be invited� and �explore possibilities�� hardly compelling language.

Indeed, the following phrase sits alone, below a sequence of 12 targets, as a plea to whomsoever is listening: �there is clearly a need for appropriate research into horticulture and this should be examined as a matter of urgency�. A specific, timeframed target here would have been apt.

On the whole however, it is a positive document, which gives its 64 specific actions a somewhat loose timeframe: actions are either short term of medium term, ranging from one year to three years.

A notable opportunity in this plan is the UK�s importation of 4,000 tonnes of organic beef a year. Specifically, the plan states: �on a rough estimate, to supply both the home and UK market, we need 3 times the amount of beef currently produced�. This of course presumed that the UK wants to keep importing, and will do so indefinitely. It has gone through phases of importing and then �buying British� before, which has hindered the longer term growth and sustainability of the organic beef sector in Ireland.

Interestingly, the plan suggests that Organic farming has an image problem �among the farming sector�. It is suggested that junior minister Sargent will invite stakeholders together, including some of Ireland�s top class organic farmers and growers. These latter producers will explain to the other stakeholders what organic production actually is, �to allay any misconceptions they may have�.

Some targeting of the farming press with information on the demonstration farmers and individual farming sectors is also proposed. Provided this will be done properly, it will be most welcome.

Some of the actions under the increasing the knowledge base objective are very worthy. Most were covered in this diary last week. The reactivation of the full DAFF organic cereal variety testing programme and composting research stand out. However, target 33, which states �consideration should be given to the development of a degree level course� in the medium term, should have the first five words dropped.

Less space is devoted to the market development and public procurement options. Developing the market includes a section on consumer information, laments the fact that national organic week is only for one week, suggests that ongoing PR work is needed �to explain the principles of organic farming to consumers�, and that �this information needs to be disseminated widely�. However, none of this actually makes it into the actions listed. This is hopefully an oversight, as a robust standalone proud promotion of organic farming and food without fear or favour would make the consumer sit up and take notice.

A fundamental issue is the fact that those charged with promoting organic also promote conventional so differentiation between the two is always understated. The use of independent PR, the food media, celebrity chefs and so on for this ongoing job would make eminent sense.

Public procurement gets almost no space, and yet it is perhaps the easiest to do: DAFF is a public body. Already, it is my understanding that Agricultural House is occasionally getting organic food, and events and plans are underway to move this objective on, through organic stakeholder engagement with DAFF.

Here�s to more organic stakeholder involvement.

Teagasc organic plan: baby steps in the right direction

Over the next two postings the two recent organic plans, those of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) and Teagasc, will be assessed here. These plans represent important signposts for how organic farming and growing in Ireland may develop over the next few years, so they deserve detailed scrutiny.

The Teagasc plan�s introduction gives an interesting background to the state of the organic sector, which highlights where some of the opportunities are.

It points to increased demand �for organic beef, lamb, pig and especially poultry meat� on the home market; importantly, �most organic pig and poultry meat consumed in Ireland is imported�. Likewise, the Glenisk expansion plans and the importation of 8,000 tonnes of organic feed and feed ingredient point to great opportunities.

While these areas offer undoubted options for innovative producers, there are also constraints. The conventional diary price has been high for a considerable time, and this seems to have induced something of a comfort zone for conventional dairy producers. However, there are signs that this safe stable place is an illusion, with conventional prices now starting to fall. Like many farmers, conventional dairy farmers are at the vagaries of the global commodity market for some of their products. Meanwhile, organic butter and the main organic cheddar cheeses available in the supermarkets are made with UK milk.

As Teagasc rightly point out, however, feed must surely be an opportunity: whatever about relying on export markets for Irish products, the home market for feeds needs to be, well, fed.

An annual budget of �1.1 million is earmarked for organic programmes/activities: is this enough in a multi billion Euro Irish agri-food sector? That said the fact that 11% of the available Teagasc research land is dedicated to organics is an interesting revelation.

The stabilization of the number of organic farm walks at 21 obviously does not represent growth. However, as the other plan � the DAFF plan � points out, there is a need for more comprehensive follow-on services and more detailed analysis of the demonstration farms. The DAFF plan states that an E-profit monitor will be conducted for each farm, which is a step in the right direction. In short, better walks is probably the way forward, rather than more walks.

Teagasc�s plans for technical booklets on various areas of production, the appointment of specialists who will visit 100 farms per year each, and the production of a dedicated newsletter are all worthy developments.

The training initiatives are an up-scaling on what was previously available. However, 25 hour FETAC courses and modules in Agricultural colleges simply do not compare to what is available in places like Scotland and in particular Wales. The Welsh Organic Centre, which is part of the University of Aberystwyth, and their inter-institutional and legislative support levels are commendable. Organics in Wales has risen from 0.3% to 6% since 1998, while our rates have vacillated between embarrassing variations of 0 and 1% in the same period. (For more on organics in Wales, see my article in the current edition of Organic Matters)

Whatever about the limitations, the organic diary research in the plan does seem to be very leading edge, in particular the research being carried out in the Solohead/Moorepark project. This research aims to substantially reduce organic dairy farmers� winter milk costs, which, in the context of a likely growth in the main processor�s winter milk requirements, is welcome.

However, the omission of horticulture from the plan is both worrying and disheartening. Horticulture makes something of an entry into the tillage section, through the mention of potato in a seven year rotation: that is literally the sum of the horticultural dimension to the plan. There are a number of reasons why this is a particular failing.

Organic fresh fruits and vegetables are already an import-dominated sector. This carries both import substitution opportunities and food security fears. It is all the more noteworthy in a context where the minister represents horticulturalists in his constituency and has horticulture under his remit. Likewise, we are both consuming ever more, and indeed being told to consumer ever more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Overall, horticulture�s omission is a bit of an elephant in the living room. Otherwise, baby steps in the right direction.

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.