Forums
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New resources
Latest activity
Trending Threads
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
FarmTV
Farm Compare
Search
Tokens/Searches
Calendar
Upcoming Events
Members
Registered members
Current visitors
New Resources
New posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
Install the app
Install
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
Forums
Regenerative Agriculture and Direct Drilling
Regen Ag Crops & Agronomy
DD crops longer to ripen?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="BSH" data-source="post: 589432" data-attributes="member: 371"><p>[USER=1057]@Steakeater[/USER] To explain! We were certified organic for 12 years and were all grass and direct marketing the beef from all the progeny of two herds an autumn and spring calving herd of Shorthorns. When we started there was a good premium for organic produce and a worthwhile subsidy. When the recession hit the price of organic collapsed almost overnight and at the same time the certified butcher and farm shop we sold to closed. We struggled to achieve any premium for a couple of years and then it picked up but it was only 10% where it had been 30%. The subsidy stayed the same but the Soil Association fees went up. I had to make a change. There were various factors in the decision process:</p><p>1. To me Organic was a busted flush. Without Govt support the system was unsustainable because the market wasn't prepared to pay for the difference. With food becoming more expensive in the future, I felt that here was an early warning that when push comes to shove, even wealthy people will not spend more on food.</p><p>2. Organic farming needs to be an integrated mixed farming enterprise, which is difficult on a small farm. Although I am now a mixed farm, the logistics of getting my contractor and grain storage certified were too great for little extra margin.</p><p>It is hard enough getting a contractor to cut 80 acres of a single crop let alone smaller areas of a crop that needs separate handling!</p><p>3. When I started farming in 2000 the prices for crops and beef were bad, but the subsidy and the way the farm was set up meant starting a cattle project was best way forward. The farm isn't a great cereal farm as it is on light land. However since then the price of crops increased greater than the price of beef. I wanted to access this increase, but it wasn't reflected in the organic prices. even on our poorer land, I felt the increased cereal prices justified conversion.</p><p>4. Fundamentally, I didn't see a margin over inputs for the beef but I did for cereals, so have kept the grassland largely organic (although uncertified) and conventional cereals. The cattle are PFLA certified instead.</p><p>5. Having followed a lot of the discussion on the Forum and its predecessor, I felt that as I had learnt more about soil management, I could achieve the same soil outcome that I was chasing with the organic management but come at it from a different angle whilst making more money. Buying a small direct drill means that I can keep involved in the arable operation that is otherwise run by contractors and pursue a passion and be involved in something interesting and worthwhile.</p><p>6. Ultimately, I would like to get to the stage of someone like Gabe Brown, and have such biologically active soil that I can maintain yields whilst dropping or minimising inputs. Don't know if I will get there, but I am trying! And feel I can do it more sustainably (profitably) than being certified organic.</p><p></p><p>Hope that gives an insight into the change!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BSH, post: 589432, member: 371"] [USER=1057]@Steakeater[/USER] To explain! We were certified organic for 12 years and were all grass and direct marketing the beef from all the progeny of two herds an autumn and spring calving herd of Shorthorns. When we started there was a good premium for organic produce and a worthwhile subsidy. When the recession hit the price of organic collapsed almost overnight and at the same time the certified butcher and farm shop we sold to closed. We struggled to achieve any premium for a couple of years and then it picked up but it was only 10% where it had been 30%. The subsidy stayed the same but the Soil Association fees went up. I had to make a change. There were various factors in the decision process: 1. To me Organic was a busted flush. Without Govt support the system was unsustainable because the market wasn't prepared to pay for the difference. With food becoming more expensive in the future, I felt that here was an early warning that when push comes to shove, even wealthy people will not spend more on food. 2. Organic farming needs to be an integrated mixed farming enterprise, which is difficult on a small farm. Although I am now a mixed farm, the logistics of getting my contractor and grain storage certified were too great for little extra margin. It is hard enough getting a contractor to cut 80 acres of a single crop let alone smaller areas of a crop that needs separate handling! 3. When I started farming in 2000 the prices for crops and beef were bad, but the subsidy and the way the farm was set up meant starting a cattle project was best way forward. The farm isn't a great cereal farm as it is on light land. However since then the price of crops increased greater than the price of beef. I wanted to access this increase, but it wasn't reflected in the organic prices. even on our poorer land, I felt the increased cereal prices justified conversion. 4. Fundamentally, I didn't see a margin over inputs for the beef but I did for cereals, so have kept the grassland largely organic (although uncertified) and conventional cereals. The cattle are PFLA certified instead. 5. Having followed a lot of the discussion on the Forum and its predecessor, I felt that as I had learnt more about soil management, I could achieve the same soil outcome that I was chasing with the organic management but come at it from a different angle whilst making more money. Buying a small direct drill means that I can keep involved in the arable operation that is otherwise run by contractors and pursue a passion and be involved in something interesting and worthwhile. 6. Ultimately, I would like to get to the stage of someone like Gabe Brown, and have such biologically active soil that I can maintain yields whilst dropping or minimising inputs. Don't know if I will get there, but I am trying! And feel I can do it more sustainably (profitably) than being certified organic. Hope that gives an insight into the change! [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Regenerative Agriculture and Direct Drilling
Regen Ag Crops & Agronomy
DD crops longer to ripen?
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top