I farm: “135 acres in Ballinagall, Co Monaghan. Most of it is leased but I also have 47 acres of my own. I have 30 acres under tillage and finish Charlois/Limousin-cross cattle.”
Organic: “I made the switch in 2009 because I couldn’t make money out of conventional farming. It is amazing how the land comes alive after two years of organic farming.”
Beef: “I have a stocking rate of 1.7 livestock units to the hectare. I’m cutting down on sucklers and focusing more on buying in store cattle to finish. I’m finishing Charlois cattle at 400kg deadweight and would get €4.80/kg from Good Herdsmen in Cahir.”
Veterinary treatment: “I don’t have much of a problem with illness in the cattle. Veterinary advice is king though, if an animal needs treatment, it will get it. If an animal gets a second antibiotic in a year it loses its organic status. I have never had to use two antibiotics, I use a lot of chicory and herbal aids.”
Organic crops: “Tillage is the most profitable by far. I have forage rape in the first rotation, then a combinable crop of peas and wheat together. I get yields of up to 3t/acre of a high protein and starch crop. I grow oats as well and I combine all of these to make a homegrown ration to finish cattle, selling half to local organic farmers and keep the rest myself.”
Low input: “Once you plough, till and sow, the gate is shut until harvest. No sprays are applied. It is low input with high value and output.”
Prices: “I sell my oats to Flahavan’s, who are going through a shortage of organic Irish oats at the minute. They pay triple the price of conventional oats at €330/t to 340/t.”
Study: “I am currently one of 18 other Irish people from studying for a masters in organic farming in Aberdeen. It is distance-learning but I visit Aberdeen four times a year. Some days you would have to get deadlines extended but my wife Tanya is a big help to me.”
Family: Tanya and I have three daughters, Lana (eight), Clara (six) and Martha (three).
Mark Gillanders with his daughers, from left, Lana, Clara and Martha on the family farm in Ballinagall, Co Monaghan.
Quotable quote: “You get nowhere lying down. At the beginning I thought it was all restrictions, and mistakes were made, but now it’s the opposite. Once you see the organic system working, there are absolutely no limits.”
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I farm: “135 acres in Ballinagall, Co Monaghan. Most of it is leased but I also have 47 acres of my own. I have 30 acres under tillage and finish Charlois/Limousin-cross cattle.”
Organic: “I made the switch in 2009 because I couldn’t make money out of conventional farming. It is amazing how the land comes alive after two years of organic farming.”
Beef: “I have a stocking rate of 1.7 livestock units to the hectare. I’m cutting down on sucklers and focusing more on buying in store cattle to finish. I’m finishing Charlois cattle at 400kg deadweight and would get €4.80/kg from Good Herdsmen in Cahir.”
Veterinary treatment: “I don’t have much of a problem with illness in the cattle. Veterinary advice is king though, if an animal needs treatment, it will get it. If an animal gets a second antibiotic in a year it loses its organic status. I have never had to use two antibiotics, I use a lot of chicory and herbal aids.”
Organic crops: “Tillage is the most profitable by far. I have forage rape in the first rotation, then a combinable crop of peas and wheat together. I get yields of up to 3t/acre of a high protein and starch crop. I grow oats as well and I combine all of these to make a homegrown ration to finish cattle, selling half to local organic farmers and keep the rest myself.”
Low input: “Once you plough, till and sow, the gate is shut until harvest. No sprays are applied. It is low input with high value and output.”
Prices: “I sell my oats to Flahavan’s, who are going through a shortage of organic Irish oats at the minute. They pay triple the price of conventional oats at €330/t to 340/t.”
Study: “I am currently one of 18 other Irish people from studying for a masters in organic farming in Aberdeen. It is distance-learning but I visit Aberdeen four times a year. Some days you would have to get deadlines extended but my wife Tanya is a big help to me.”
Family: Tanya and I have three daughters, Lana (eight), Clara (six) and Martha (three).
Mark Gillanders with his daughers, from left, Lana, Clara and Martha on the family farm in Ballinagall, Co Monaghan.
Quotable quote: “You get nowhere lying down. At the beginning I thought it was all restrictions, and mistakes were made, but now it’s the opposite. Once you see the organic system working, there are absolutely no limits.”
Read more
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