organic farming

What sort of money should shx bull weanlings be making? Not weighed yet but around 275 kgs a couple might be bigger than that. I know they aren't as sought after as continentals but was trying to guess a rough figure for them.

In General, organic beef animals experience a less intensive upbringing….

Fed organic feed, not exposed to as much medications etc....

More time outside and on straw beds etc...

Im not sure if there is much difference in terms of taste between organic vs conventional beef.....as Irish grass fed beef is as good as it gets anyway...the organic element is the cherry on top I suppose...

Been to a good few open days on organic and read a good bit and it seems to me that most farmers in organic are dosing as much now as they did prior to joining. Organic sheep farmer in journal a few weeks ago outlined what he doses for and I didn't see much difference to most conventional. Any antibiotic needed can be used also. I still don't think people buying organic product fully realize this

I know about concerns on GM products but is there any difference in the actual grains as fed ( as opposed to the actual plant)?

Don't have sheep, but multi species swards grazing should reduce by 50% the dosing of lambs, (as per Lyons farm UCD). Diatomaceous Earth both internally and externally can contribute to killing parasites and viruses. I haven't tried using it externally on cattle but I think it might help to control lice.

probably didn’t dose much before going organic compared to others?

Yet the majority of fruit and veg that we eat nowdays has been genetically modified over the years. I remember seeing a programme on TV how tomatoes were genetically modified in the early 80's. From memory they added beetroot genes to elongate the shelf life of tomatoes.

Unless you are prepared to grow what is now classed as "heritage" breeds of fruit & veg then you're probably eating GM modified food.

I think conventional farming will have to adopt more of these methods given the spiralling issues with wormer, herbicide resistance, climate disruption, soil degradation, dementia and learning issues with young and old etc.

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/sheep/breeding-and-health/three-steps-to-help-keep-wormers-working-711330

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/23/long-shadow-life-under-the-veiled-grasp-of-factory-farming-in-europe

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/sep/05/loss-of-bats-to-lethal-fungus-linked-to-1300-child-deaths-in-us-study-says-aoe

My view is that Organic should be all the way organic over the entire farm ( and live with the consequences on that decision)

Organic farmers can buy conventional straw ( is that still sprayed with round-up prior to harvest? ) for bedding ( but not eating other than cattle nibbling on fresh bedding it seems )

A good few organic farms had heaps of bio-solids sludge from dairy co-op processing facilities ( strong smelling stuff !) and can import slurry from conventional farms too.

Having said all that I'll probably be joining myself having read what's coming in new CAP, seem be moving away from area based payments ( these suit me even at a low level as I have good sized farm very lightly stocked. Losing 1.5k a year already this CAP because of CRISS frontloading)

Does the new cap seem to be a move towards nothing but environmental schemes.

You may be right but would it not be expected that the potato plant would die off coming into the winter anyway. What about the spuds themselves? Did they rot or were they ok?

Yup all rotted, it was a species that suited autumn planting (in a poly tunnel) , no idea what the variety was.

I know shag all about sheep myself, but from what I gather, they generally like to graze quite low to the ground which wouldn't be great for the swards to persist.

This will be in next Tuesdays Indo. It's an article decaying organic idealogy and tge prevention of use of slats and rubber mats. This man used peat before it use was banned and says not only is straw too expensive it not a suitable product behind slats

https://m.independent.ie/farming/beef/organic-ideology-should-not-get-in-the-way-of-good-sustainable-farming-practice/a1741388739.html

Tried the Organic sale last Saturday in Sixmilebridge. Prices weren't great, I sold 2 Limx yearlings 330kg 960. I had one comrade of the other 2 but couldn't sell him as Organic but sold him as Commercial and he made 1060 at 320 kg. I also had 5 Lmx Weanlens 300kg they were only making 800 so i didn't sell. I sold them today at Ennis mart for 990 as commercials.

From what I see, there are few buyers going into the winter but loads of buyers in Spring. I think it's down to the cost of the over wintering.

Probably be fine, I'm not certain but you could probably change it when you enter a new contract after the first 5 years.

How long from applying did you get approved? how long from purchasing did you get paid?

Bord Bia ‘in discussions’ with organic bodies on farm audits.

Hopefully, this comes to pass....its a no-brainer....

https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/bord-bia-in-discussions-with-organic-bodies-on-farm-audits/

Let the organic bodies do the 1 audit...that should also exempt you from having to do a Bord Bia audit.

Thats the point...if you do the Organic inspection you shouldnt need to do the Bord Bia one....

Its a win win for everyone.....it will free up the Bord Bia lads to do their normal conventional farm audits - theres no shortage of them..…

They should. That's duplication of work

It's not, my organic records book was used for my last BB audit, never filled anything in the BB book before.