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01/06/07
The UK does not produce sufficient organic grain (cereals and pulses)
to supply the needs of organic livestock producers and millers and
has to rely on imports to make up the shortfall.
However there continues to be a worldwide shortage of organic
grain and grain prices reached an all time high this spring with
wheat reportedly fetching in the region of £300 per tonne. Prices
of £190 to £200 per tonne for wheat are expected at harvest
2007. This situation is likely to continue, unless substantial arable
areas are converted to organic farming. SAC Organic Market Link Co-ordinator
Caroline Bayliss has calculated that an additional 97,000 ha of rotational
land needs to be converted in the UK in order to meet the shortfall
in organic grain for feed and milling.
The increased growth in demand for feed grain has arisen primarily
as a result of increased consumer demand for organic milk, pork and
poultry products Also there is a new and developing market
for pulses and wheat in organic fish production. In similar vein,
the Red Meat Industry Forum has forecast an increase of 70% in the
level of organic beef consumption between 2005 and 2010, to 19,000
tonnes per annum. Changes in the derogation on use of conventional
feed in organic livestock diets have also increased demand and tightened
the supply, with more organic grain being retained for home feeding.
SAC organic advisers are encouraging non-organic arable producers
to consider converting to organic production. The SRDP funding
situation is becoming clearer and it is hoped that organic aid will
be available again before the end of 2007. There is a lot to learn
in the conversion process and producers are encouraged to plan well
ahead. To help producers to gain the necessary expertise, SAC has
planned a programme of events during the summer of 2007, starting
on Tuesday 5th June with a one-day event in Perthshire on weed control
in organic arable crops. Contact David Younie, 01224 711072 for further
details.
SAC Organic Producer Meetings: Summer 2007
SAC Organic
Producer Event
One-day Event: Farm Walks and Seminar
WEED CONTROL IN ORGANIC ARABLE CROPS
Tuesday 5th June 2007
Tarrylaw, Balbeggie (courtesy of Culfargie Estates); Belmont
Arms, Meigle;
East Mains, Auchterhouse (courtesy of John Skea)
Starts 10.30am at Tarrylaw
Speakers: Brian Kaye, Brian Coleman (Einbock Weeders),
Ken Davies (SAC), John Skea
BASIS and NroSo points are being applied for.
Attendance is free, but in order to arrange lunch numbers please
book your place by contacting Sandra Chalmers, SAC 01224
711080). Further details of the programme from David Younie,
SAC (01224 711072) |
SAC Organic
Events at the Royal Highland Show
FRIDAY 22 JUNE 2007
2.00- 2.45pm
SEMINAR:
REDUCING AGRICULTURE’S CARBON FOOTPRINT:
THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF ORGANIC FARMING
Speaker: Dr Christine Watson, SAC
3.00-4.00pm
A TASTE OF ORGANIC FOOD
Organic food tasting with some of Scotlands best
organic producers
SAC Pavilion, Ingliston Showground
Stand 157/158, 7th Avenue
Further information from David Younie, SAC (tel 01224
711072) |
SAC Organic
Producer Event
Farm Walk
PROFITABLE ORGANIC ARABLE PRODUCTION
Tuesday 10th July 2007, 1.30pm
Pitgaveny Estate, Elgin
(Courtesy of Mr Sandy Dunbar)
Speaker: Martin Birse
Further information from David Younie, SAC
(tel 01224 711072) |
SAC Organic
Producer Event
Farm Walk
OPTIMISING ORGANIC BEEF AND SHEEP PERFORMANCE FROM
GRASS
Stocking rates, Clean grazing management, Live-weight
gains
Thursday 2nd August 2007 , 1.30pm
Bushelhill, Abbey St Bathans, Duns, Berwickshire
(courtesy of Mr Duncan Shell)
For further details contact David Younie (01224
711072) or Moira Gallagher (01835 823322) |
SAC ‘Success
through Knowledge’ Organic Event
Farm Walk
PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC BEANS AND PEAS
Wednesday 8th August 2007, 1.30pm
SAC Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen
Speakers: Lawrence Morrice, David Younie
(SAC)
Further information from David Younie, SAC
(tel 01224 711072) |
SAC Organic
Farming Event for Business Professionals, Advisers and Producers
One-day Conference
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN ORGANIC FARMING
Wednesday 17TH October, 09.30am
Birnam Institute, Birnam, Dunkeld
Speakers: To be announced
Further information from Caroline Bayliss, SAC
(tel 01224 711073) |
Forage
Maize “Catch Crops” Could Prevent Predicted Silage
Shortfall
Future Farmers of Wales Visit Shitake Mushroom Enterprise
Crop
Market Update from Gleadell |