Quick Dips

Organic Options

Excellent progress is being made by the focus groups of sheep and beef farmers formed as part of a Meat NZ AgResearch contract exploring the option for organic farming in New Zealand. The contract represents the first serious look by the sector at the viability of organic production systems.

AgResearch scientist Dr Alex Mackay says that the groups have been examining specific issues facing a producer during conversion to organic supply. The issues include problems associated with the control of pests, such as internal parasites, flies, lice or weeds, the difficulty of sourcing certified stock or stock with the right genetics, information gaps and the lack of infrastructure and markets.

The study is using the organic production standards of BIO GRO New Zealand, to develop conversion plans for a variety of farming operations and assess the viability of actually implementing each plan.

Conclusions drawn from each conversion plan will be summarised and made available to all meat producers.

The operations represent a wide diversity of enterprises, from large extensive sheep and beef operations through to intensive breeding and finishing, to mixed cropping and livestock, deer, intensive finishing and cropping. The members of the groups also vary widely in their reasons for their interest in the organic option, but are primarily driven by perceived growing consumer interest in organic produce.