Organic Farming

1. Information gathering

2. Decide which certification body to register with

3. Obtain copy of relevant standards

4. Decide on farm unit/area/fields to be converted

5. Decide on ideal enterprise mix for the farm

6. Decide on ideal crop rotation

7. Assess current farm infrastructure

• Livestock housing, fencing - Does housing meet the standards (e.g. slats), does fencing need upgraded?
• Manure storage and handling - Are they adequate?
• Machinery Will you need to invest e.g. in a comb harrow?

8. Assess current livestock system

• Mix of enterprises?  - Classes of stock
• Breeds?  - Easy care, well adapted to environment. Well adapted to forage-based system
• Self-contained herds, flocks?
• Calving, lambing date? - April, May, June?
• Grassland management?  - Clean grazing, Current level of intensity: fertiliser N and stocking rate, Management for early bite, Silage quality
• Feeding system? - Proportion of forage, concentrate currently fed, Proportion of bought-in feeds, Prohibited ingredients
• Housing system? - Type: bedding/slats?, Space allocation - overall and trough, Ventilation
• Manure storage and handling system - Storage capacity and efficiency, Application dates
• Stockmanship skills - Stress minimisation factors?, Weaning management, Stable groupings
• Existing health problems? - What are your main health problems currently?
• Existing veterinary strategy? - Do you currently have a health plan?, Do you currently operate preventative management practices?
• Management skills
• Staff flexibility

9. Assess each field individually

• Cropping history – If arable crops previously, sow grass/clover mixture
• Clover content – Improve clover content if necessary
• Soil fertility – Ameliorate deficiencies before starting conversion
• Weed problems – Spray to control perennial weeds such as couch before starting conversion

10. Prepare conversion plan

• Cropping sequence for each field
• Timing of start of conversion
• Organic husbandry techniques – Soil management – Crop rotations and nutrient supply, including manure management – Weed and pest control strategy – Livestock Managament Plan including:
  • Grazing management
  • Housing and welfare
  • Feeding regimes
  • Health strategy

11a. Complete & return application form and conversion plan to Certification Body - Receive letter of acknowledgement and comments

11b. Complete & return OAS application form to the Scottish Government before 31 March (Year A) 

• Receive conditional acceptance into the Scottish Government OAS (August/September)
• Inform Certification Body that you wish to start conversion
• Start conversion (September – December?)
• Expect Inspector’s visit
• Receive formal acceptance letter from Certification Body
• Forward Certification Body acceptance letter to the Scottish Government before 31 March (Year B)

12. If you wish to start converting in the spring of Year A:

• If you are an arable farmer you may, at your own risk of not being accepted into the Scottish Government OAS, start converting after March 1st.
• Before starting the conversion, you must have already submitted your OAS application to the Scottish Government (and of course your application to the Certification Body).