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When should existing breeding stock on the farm be converted, relative to the conversion period of the land?
a) Simultaneous conversion of land and livestock.
Provided a Livestock Management Plan is prepared, accepted by the Certification Body and put into practice by the farmer at the start of the conversion of the land, livestock will have full organic status at the end of the 24-month conversion period (provided in the case of beef they have been born at least three months into the conversion period). Simultaneous conversion is only acceptable where all of the forage area and other land used for animal feed production is being converted in one go.
b) Sequential conversion.
Here the land is converted first and, after the 24 month conversion period of the land is completed, the breeding stock are converted following the conversion periods referred to in 'What are the conversion periods for bringing in conventional breeding and dairy animals to organic systems?' (except in the case of dairy cows, when the conversion period is nine months). Only after this do the young stock reach full organic status. Clearly this method means that a longer time period elapses before organic status finished stock are available for sale.