There has never been as big a push to promote and drive organic farming as right now. Ireland has committed to going from 2.5% of its agricultural land under organic production to three times that in the next few years. And it could be a silver bullet for beef farmers in particular who according to all income figures remain as the poor relation in farming. While commodity prices have soared this year to offset some of the pain of 40% higher input costs, the vast majority of beef farmers are reliant on some other form of income, unlike dairy farmers. But could converting to organic production be the shot in the arm which the sector needs? On the macro, the story of Irish beef looks impressive with markets all over the world. We are reportedly the largest net exporter of beef in the northern hemisphere and the grass fed message sold by Bord Bia to international customers is an enviable unique selling point. But of course at the bottom of that food chain, primary producers will quibble that they don’t see a return for their work in producing this high quality product.