When you look at organic production you need to look at the possibilities, not the problems.” That was one of the clear messages from Jack Nolan from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine at the recent Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA) organic farm walk in Co Offaly.

Speakers on the night included Noel Feeney, president of the Agricultural Consultants Association; Seamus McMenamin, Bord Bia; Mary Lynch, ACA organic specialist; and a number of speakers from the organic certification and training bodies. There was a huge amount of interest in the organic scheme, with farmers bombarding the speakers with questions.

The farm walk took place on the farm of Conor Larkin who farms just outside Banagher in Co Offaly. Conor converted to organic beef production 21 years ago and gave farmers a great insight into his farming system.

Like many other farmers on dry ground in the midlands, Conor has been feeding hay to suckler cows for the last number of weeks.

The system on his 120ac farm is kept really simple. There are 30 spring-calving suckler cows on the farm run alongside 80 midseason lambing ewes.

The majority of lambs are sold through the Offaly Lamb Producer Group with a number of lambs also sold through a local direct selling box scheme. On the cattle side, Conor breeds his own replacements and finishes the remainder through the ABP Goodherdsman brand.

Jack Nolan from the Department of Agriculture outlined where policy was heading, including Government targets for 7.5% of Ireland’s agricultural area being farmed organically by 2030. This runs alongside the EU target of achieving 25% of the agricultural area across Europe in organic production by 2030.

Jack said: “There are a lot of farms that are stocked at quite a low stocking rate and organics could be very applicable to them. A lot of these lower-stocked farms are spreading low amounts of fertiliser anyway so possibly should be looking at organics.”

Huge emphasis is placed on dung as a fertiliser on the farm with Conor targeting the dung at paddocks which are lower in P and K.

The new scheme will open in October and will pay farmers €300/ha annually over a two-year conversion period and €250/ha for the remaining three years of the programme.

Farmers will also be paid a special €2,000 payment in year one to go towards organic certification and this payment will continue to be paid at the rate of €1,400 for the remainder of the scheme.

When questioned on the profitability of the farm, Conor said: “To be honest, even if there was no scheme I wouldn’t go back to conventional farming.

Conor Larkin.

“I like the system and it’s working for me. I’m 21 years now in organic production and I’ve never had an issue that I wouldn’t have had in conventional farming,” he said.

Organic specialist Mary Lynch answered questions from how farmers can get into the scheme to how they manage the farm once in organic production

How do I join the scheme?

Participants who wish to join the scheme must complete an organic conversion plan and commence the pathway to organic status. This will mean farming for two years in organic conversion status until full organic status is achieved. You must make an application to the Department of Agriculture to the Organic Farming scheme.

The scheme will open for applications in October with a 1 January 2023 start date. A 25-hour organic course will also need to be completed either before joining the organic farming scheme or within six months of acceptance to the scheme.

Can I convert my existing suckler cows to organic production?

Animals that are on your holding at the start of conversion will never become organic. However, after the conversion period, they can produce organic calves. For an organic calf to be produced, the cow needs to be managed to organic standards for at least three months before calving.

What is the market for organic beef like?

Bord Bia says that the market for organic beef is growing across Europe. Currently, we slaughter about 11,000 organically produced cattle annually, predominantly through the ABP Goodherdsman brand. Unfortunately, there is a lot of leakage (60%) of organic cattle into conventional supply chains due to a lack of premium on organic store cattle or weanlings. It would be hoped that as the market grows, this leakage would stop.

What are the housing requirements for animals on an organic farm?

Fifty per cent of the floor lying area must be bedded on organic farms.

You must have 6m2 lying space for suckler cows of which 3m2 must be straw-bedded. Lying area for weanlings must be at least 3m2 (1.5m2 bedded). Cubicles can also be used provided the area of the cubicle equates to 3m2.

Can I import slurry from another farm?

Slurry can be imported from non-organic farms provided the slurry is from a cattle or sheep farm where animals are outdoors grazing and not an indoor pig or poultry farm. In certain cases, sludges can also be imported provided they are certified for use on organic farms.

Can I rear organic calves on a bucket/teat system?

All milk replacers are prohibited on organic farms so if buying in calves to rear, farmers are advised to purchase weaned calves.

Can I dose for worms and fluke if I’m organic?

Organic farmers are advised to pursue a prevention rather than cure plan when it comes to animal health. In cases where there is veterinary advice to dose for parasites or use antibiotics, then a derogation can be granted on such products. Withdrawal dates are generally doubled in these cases.

Do I have to buy an organic bull?

Due to the low number of pedigree breeders in organic production, a derogation can be sought to purchase a non-organic stock bull. If suitable female replacements cannot be purchased, a derogation can be sought to buy in non-organic replacements.

Do I have to use organic feed?

Yes, all concentrates that are fed on an organic farms need to be certified organic. Organic feed (eg oats) grown on the farm can be fed to animals on the farm. Many organic tillage farmers sell organic grain to organic livestock farmers. Most co-ops also stock organic feed. Organic cattle ration is currently costing between €700/t and €800/t.

Are there other grants available?

The Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) will be available to organic farmers only and will be increasing to a rate of 50% in late 2022. This is a sub-branch of TAMS but for organics only. It will grant-aid machinery involved in organic production, shed construction and shed conversion to organic standards.

Farm facts

Conor Larkin, Lusmagh, Banagher, Co Offaly

  • Acres: 120.
  • Suckler cows: 30.
  • Ewes: 120.
  • System: suckler to beef/store and midseason lambing.
  • Joined organic scheme: 2001.