Organic Food and Farming
Organic farming methods
(This is only a very brief overview - it is not meant to be exhaustive and should not be read as such).
Key elements of organic farming systems
The main components of an organic farming system are the avoidance of artificial fertilisers and pesticides and the use of crop rotations and other forms of husbandry to maintain soil fertility and control weeds, pests and diseases.
Soil fertility
Soil fertility should be achieved primarily by natural methods such as the use of crop rotations, which would normally incorporate at least two years of a fertility-building crop, such as a grass/clover ley. Good rotational design, a diverse cropping plan, and the use of green manures, livestock manures and composts will create long-term soil fertility. It is important that these principles and practices are seen as the primary tools in maintaining an effective organic system. Any additional inputs should be regarded only as supplements - and not substitutes - to the system and should only be called upon when absolutely necessary.
Crop rotation
A correctly designed and implemented rotation is at the heart of organic crop production. Organic systems focus on optimising rather than maximising output as is in some conventional systems. A good rotation contains the following key elements:
- Provides sufficient crop nutrients and minimises their losses
- Provides nitrogen (N) through leguminous crops during the fertility-building phase of the rotation
- The careful use of crops to maintain ground cover, helping to reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses
- Deep and shallow rooting crops in a rotation can help to create soil structure and utilise minerals and nutrients, which are not available to shallower rooting plants
- Aims to minimise and help control weed, pest and disease problems
- Maintains the soil organic composition and structure
- Provides a profitable output of organic cash crops or livestock.
Crop nutrition
Animal manures and nitrogen-fixing leguminous crops generally provide fertility. The aim of an organic system is to be self-sustaining, although in some instances it is allowed to bring in manures and organic fertilisers or mineral products like rock potash and rock phosphate.
Crop protection
Pest, weed and disease control are achieved through a combination of crop rotations, choice of varieties, the timing of cultivations and habitat management to encourage natural predators. Where direct intervention is required, a very limited range of products like sulphur, but not including herbicides, may be used but only in cases where there is an immediate threat to the crops. These are listed in Annex II of the EC Regulation 2092/91 (as amended) and subject to:
a) The conditions set out in Annex II; and
b) Any national conditions in place on the use and approval of pesticides.
Further information on pesticides is available from the Pesticide Safety Directorate at the following address: -
Mallard House, King's Pool, 3, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 2PX
Tel: 01904 640500
Livestock
Livestock form an integral part of the majority of organic farms, although there are some successful stockless systems. Organic livestock enterprises are land based and are generally supported from the farm's own resources as far as possible.
Organic standards do not allow intensively housed stock or systems where a large amount of total feed has to be bought in. Most existing dairy, beef and sheep enterprises can be converted to an organic system, given appropriate changes to feeding, housing and health management. Pigs and poultry must be managed extensively under an organic system, with extensive outdoor access. Organic standards require that the feed ration is 80 per cent organic for non-ruminants, and 90 per cent organic for ruminants. For ruminants at least 60 per cent of dry matter must be from fresh or conserved forage.
As most organic grazing systems rely on clover in the sward, stocking rates may be lower than in non-organic units. However, this depends on the amount of artificial nitrogen (N) that was used in the previous farm system.
The aim is to maintain closed flocks and herds, and to breed and rear all replacements. Organic farmers must attempt to source organic replacements, although it is possible to buy in up to 10 per cent of non-organic animals per year where specifically necessary. Organic store and breeding stock are becoming more widely available - visit www.organicmarketplace.org for more details. All animals slaughtered for organic meat must be born and raised on an organic holding although conventional chicks up to 3 days old can be brought in for the production of organic table birds.
Animal health
Animal health within an organic system relies on preventative management and good husbandry. This is enabled in part by the use of an animal health plan, which is a requirement of the legislation. The routine prophylactic use of veterinary medicines (such as antibiotics and wormers) is not permitted - although particular products are allowed on farms where there is a recognised problem. Vaccines can be used under veterinary advice where there is a proven health risk.
Conventional medicines can and must be used where it is necessary to prevent prolonged illness or suffering. Increased withdrawal periods for all medicines are required under organic standards. The use of homeopathy is also encouraged.
Animal Health Plan
The development of an animal health plan is an essential part of any organic farming system that includes livestock. The health plan should be a reference document that assists with management and improvement of stock management, and as a tool for reference and traceability.
Use of manures
Manures should be recycled on the farm of production. If they are taken off farm they must be utilised on another organic unit. Organic standards strictly control the use of brought-in animal manures from non-organic holdings, and this can only be done with the permission of the farmer's Organic Inspection Body. Brought-in non-organic manures must come from extensive production systems and must normally be composted before use.
Total applications of animal manures are restricted to 170kgN/ha/year across the entire holding according to the amount of nitrogen they can deliver in building soil fertility (this includes nitrogen deposited by grazing animals and is an average over the whole farm). This is roughly equivalent to an application of 28t/ha, although higher applications are possible in some circumstances.
Other approved fertilisers, such as potassium and phosphorus must come from natural materials, which release nutrients slowly. Some of these products are for use on a restricted basis only, and the Organic Inspection Body must grant permission before application.
Composting
Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic substrates under aerobic conditions and at a temperature where pathogens and weed seeds are killed when exposed for a period of time (approx. 60°C for a minimum of three days). The process results in a stable material containing valuable organic matter, beneficial organisms and plant nutrients, which when applied to land, can help to:
- Improve soil structure
- Enrich the nutrient content of soil and
- Enhance its biological activity.
Organic standards
The process of organic farming is regulated by EU approved standards. These are administered in the UK by a number of Defra approved Organic Inspection Bodies who are also able to inspect and certify organic holdings. Only verified produce may be legally sold as 'organic' within the EU. The Inspection bodies are available to discuss aspects of organic farming and certification. Address and contact numbers for UK organic inspection bodies can be found on Defra's web site at www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic.
Conversion
In most cases land must be managed organically for a minimum of two years (three years for top fruit orchards) before it is granted approved 'organic' status and is eligible for organic certification. Producers can then sell their produce as 'organic' and organic livestock breeding can commence.
Livestock farms that are managed extensively can consider simultaneous conversion. This is where the land and breeding stock are managed to full organic standards throughout a two year conversion period. Although more demanding, the advantage of simultaneous conversion is that any young stock born three months after the start of conversion can be sold as organic as soon as the land achieves organic status. Under certain limited circumstances it may be possible to reduce these conversion periods if there is independent proof that only approved materials have been applied to the land for a period of time before the land is registered as in conversion.
A written conversion plan, including detailed cropping plans, rotations, a livestock management/health plan and budgets, is an essential part of a successful move into organic farming. A farm business plan is also required for a successful move into organic farming. Expert advice is strongly recommended.
Aid schemes
From 3 March 2005, aid to organic farmers will be delivered through an Organic strand of the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), known as the Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS).
OELS aims to encourage a large number of organic farmers and land managers to deliver simple yet effective environmental management on their farms. At the same time, OELS will encourage the expansion of organic production in England to help meet the increasing demand for organically produced food. OELS will be open to all farmers/landowners with organic land that is fully organic or 'in conversion' and not currently receiving aid under the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) or the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).
Farmers with both organic and conventional land on their holding who wish to join the scheme must also apply for the OELS, where they will be able to attract OELS payments on their OELS eligible land and ELS payments, at the applicable payment rates, on their ELS eligible land as part of a single whole farm OELS agreement.
Farmers will also have the option to apply for conversion aid top up payments on improved land and top fruit orchards as part of an OELS agreement on new land under going conversion. Conversion aid for unimproved land will not be available under the OELS.
ES, including the OELS, will be launched in early 2005. Details of these schemes, including ES can be found on the above web pages.
The organic market
Over the last 10 years sales of organic food in the UK have increased ten-fold from just over £100 million in 1993/94 to £1.12 billion in 2003/04. During 2003/04, organic sales grew by 10.2 per cent, at almost £2 million a week. Imports still account for an estimated 56 per cent of organic sales and there are opportunities for increasing home production, though this varies between enterprises. While prospects in many enterprises are good, it is vital to secure markets for your organic products as early as possible.
For a guide to the organic market visit www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/librarytitles/1B316.html
Considering Organic Conversion?
Some farmers and growers may be missing a good opportunity if they do not give serious thought to organic production. Undergoing conversion could help you maintain or improve your income, meet the growing consumer demand for organic food and manage your land in a more environmentally beneficial way.
Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS)
Defra’s new Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) could help you take your first steps to assess whether organic conversion is right for you and your business.
The new service was launched on 25 March 2008 and opens to callers on 31 March 2008. It will be managed by Natural England on behalf of Defra. Natural England has appointed the Organic Research Centre (ORC), based at Elm Farm, to deliver the new service after inviting tenders in the usual way.
For further information please contact Nick Cooper, OCIS Project Manager on 01483 307705.
- Defra launches new organic advisory service for farmers (news release, 25 March 2008)
Page last modified:
25 March 2008
Page published: 2 August 2004