Over 300 people attended an open day on John Purcell’s organic beef farm located in Ross, Golden, Co Tipperary on 10 March. Purcell has been farming organically since 1999.
He farms 124ha (306 acres) in total and finishes 700 organic cattle per year, purchased as yearlings from organic suppliers in marts and privately. More cattle are also finished through a B&B system with seven other organic farmers. Cattle are slaughtered to supply the organic beef market through his own company Good Herdsmen LTD.
On the day, visitors got to see how a large-scale organic beef operation functioned. The importance of incorporating clover in pasture was demonstrated as the best way to boost growth throughout the year without chemical N application.
Red clover was also beneficial for silage quality because it improved the feeding value of silage for finishing cattle. Rotating silage ground and targeting FYM and slurry back on the ground that needs it most were also said to be critical for maintaining a base level of fertility.
Teagasc advisers explained the typical animal health procedures for an organic farmer and dispelled the myth that organic animals are not cared for as well as animals in conventional systems.
“A greater level of biosecurity, stockmanship and management has to be implemented on organic farms to reduce the chance of disease outbreaks. If there is a health problem on the farm, conventional treatment can be used with veterinary permission,” explained Teagasc adviser Dan Clavin.
New scheme
It is still uncertain if a new Organic Farming Scheme will open this year because such high numbers applied last year. However, Department officials and Teagasc advisers on the day said farmers serious about converting should start visiting different organic farms, assess the market opportunities for their produce, complete an organic course, complete an organic conversion plan and choose an organic certification body.
More details from Purcell’s farm walk be covered in the Irish Farmers Journal in the coming weeks.
SHARING OPTIONS