ORGANIC NEWSLETTER

November 2008

This issue of the SOPA Organic Newsletter features some inno- vative organic food processing members who sell direct to the public. This is an opportunity to be inspired for Christmas gifts, and also perhaps be inspired for innovation and diversification In this Issue in your own organic business.

In the markets, there is huge volatility in the conventional agri- Certification Corner 2-3 culture with cereal prices yo-yoing, conventional prime meat pushing upward price pressure on food inflation and fossil fuel- hungry fertilisers causing a great deal of budget-scratching for Caledonian Organics 4 conventional farmers.

At least organic farming doesn’t have those worries! Organic cereals are much more realistic this year, after 2007 prices BOCM Pauls Organic Feeds 5 scared quite a few buyers and there seems to be a slower market bringing some stability this year, albeit I know some are concerned at slow uplift. SAC Organic Market Link Update 6

There has been only 2% net change in prime organic meat farm SOPA Inspector Emily Grant 7 gate prices in the last twelve months. The organic premium on beef and lamb was an average of 20% this time in 2007; this year it is 5%. It is conventional market volatility which is unbalancing SOPA Approved Products 8-9 the market.

I am heartened by our members who have reiterated with me SOPA Associate Member Biotal 10 recently that organic farming is not short term gain; it is a long term system based on natural cycles, bearing the ups and downs ecologically and financially. Stoicism indeed. Norton Organic Cereals Market Update 11

Can I welcome Alison Redfearn, Administrative Assistant and Joanna Sinclair, Certification Officer who have recently joined SOPA Christmas Special—Connage Highland 12 the SOPA team. We were sorry to see Alan Gray and David Mi- Dairy chie move onto pastures new and indeed wish them the very best, but now with an all-girl office team we are having a review SOPA Christmas Special—Chocolate Tree 13 of our systems and endeavouring to deliver an even better ser- vice to our members. Joanna hails from Shetland so we have another branch of experience to draw upon. SOPA Christmas Special—Windshiel 14

The SRDP is causing a great deal of work for me. There is a degree of farmer interest in claiming organic funding and while SOPA Christmas Special—Ruthy’s Scones 15 all of Scottish agriculture tries to understand how the SRDP is meant to work I fear it could take some time to get it right. I can SOPA Christmas Special—Coco’s Chocolates 16 only stress to you: • there are a great number of things you can claim for beyond the realms of organic farming. SOPA Christmas Special—Mollinsburn Organics 17 • Funding is broken down into Regions. • If you have a current OAS you need to be prepared to SOPA Christmas Special—Mrs Hamilton’s 18 start applying under SRDP the year before your current scheme expires. SOPA Christmas Special—Borde r Meringues 19 • Despite all assurances, the funding isisis competitive and there are deadlines. Classifieds 20 • PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PROPOSAL TO THE LAST MINUTE as the online application process takes a great deal more time than anyone had anticipated.

This newsletter is published by Scottish Organic Producers Association, SFQC, Please call me if you have any questions Debs Royal Highland Centre, 10th Avenue, Ingliston, EH28 8NF Tel 0131 335 6606 Fax 0131 335 6601 www.sopa.org.uk [email protected]

Scottish Food Quality Certification (SFQC) has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this Newslett er is accurate. No legal responsibility is accept ed for errors, omissions or misleading st atements in that information caused by negligence or ot herw ise. No responsibility is accept ed in regard t o t he standing of any firms, companies or individuals mentioned in t his Newslett er.

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CERTIFICATION CORNER

We are now drawing a close to the 2008 assessment year, and this means we are busy in the office processing the final reports for the year. As you may know if you have rung the office recently, David Michie, our Certification Officer has moved on from SOPA and is now working with SAC as an advisor. I would like to take this opportunity to thank David for all his work with SOPA and wish him well in his new role.

I would like to welcome to the SOPA team Joanna Sinclair as Organic Certification Officer and Alison Redfearn as Administrative Assistant

I expect many of you will now be housing cattle, and preparing for the winter months ahead, feed rations will be being calculated and forage analysis being studied. If you think you may be short of forage this winter please contact the office in plenty of time, so that we can help to find you an organic source of forage. Please do not leave this to the last minute. Alternatively, if you have an excess this year, contact the office also, and we can try and match up supply and demand. Jane Ellis

Residue Testing

SOPA are pleased to announce that we now have the confirmed results of the potato multi-residue pesticide analysis results which took place in September 2008.

The potato samples were sent to the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) for analysis.

We are please to report that there were no pesticide residues detected at or above the reporting limit of 0.01mg/kg.

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the SOPA Certification team would like to thank the potato producers for all their co-operation in providing Reminder to all potato growers potato samples. Many of you will be organising organic seed for 2009 planting. Please remember non-organic seed derogations must be submitted to the office as soon as possible.

Derogation forms can be downloaded from the website,

Bluetongue Vaccination

The vaccine is now available and livestock farmers s hould be liaising with their vets to order the vaccine and com- mence vaccination of lives tock. Remember, vaccination in Sc otland is compulsory. Only the Shetland Isles are exempt for vaccination. All animals must be vaccinated by the 30th April 2009 . The Scottish Government has sent out Guidance tyo all Livestock keepers: if you did not receive this you should urgently contact your local SGRPID Area O ffice. 2

CERTIFICATION CORNER

COMPOSTS IN ORGANIC SYSTEMS

SOPA Standards 4.2.4 states that ‘bought in manures or plant waste from non-organic sources must not form the basis of a manorial programme, but should be adjuncts, used exceptionally where other means of maintaining soil health and fertility are inadequate. Details of the manure must be provided to SFQC including it’s source and the animal species and husbandry system from which it came. The GM free status of all manures and plant wastes must be also demonstrated to the satisfaction of SFQC’.

Justification must be provided by completion of the ‘Derogation Form for Non-organic Manure/Compost’ form, along with 1. A soil analysis showing low levels of fertility, that justifies your request 2. For manure: details of the type of manure you wish to apply, (farmyard ma- nure, hen pen), including the animal husbandry system and stocking density details (see SOPA standard 4.2.5), and a GMO free declaration. 3. For composts: details of the type of compost you wish to apply (Green Waste), the PAS100 certificate and a GMO declaration.

Derogation forms can be downloaded from the website, e-mailed to you, faxed or posted.

Animal By Product (ABP) compost is not permitted under the SOPA standards.

As of 01 January 2009 the existing organic legal EU Regulations 2092/91 are being replaced with EU Regulations 834/2007.

What this means to you as a SOPA member?

The aim of the new EU Regulations is to update and amend the old ones. SOPA has been working with the other UK Certification Bodies, organic stakeholders and DEFRA throughout 2008 monitoring the updates on an ongoing basis, and helping to produce the Commission Regulations 889/2008 and the Guidance Document on European Union Organic Standards which will be specifically for the UK.

The organic principals you have been applying to your businesses will remain the same.

There is one particular area that will be new under EU834/2007: the new EU organic logo must feature on all organic packaged products from July 2010. But as yet the EU logo has not been finalised. This means that labels for organic food must also include the EU logo. Only SOPA members selling direct to retail at the final point in the food process will need to make a change to their labels.

Most of these changes will not affect the majority of the SOPA membership, and with the SOPA standards and level of detail you record and what we already ask of you regarding your organic businesses we anticipate a seamless transition into 2009.

3 Caledonian ORGANICS launches feed buying group in partnership with BOCM

Caledonian Organics, Scotland’s organic beef and lamb producers’ cooperative, is pleased to announce the launch of its feed buying group in partnership with BOCM. For the past six months, CalOrg has been estimating feed requirements for all of Scotland’s organic beef, sheep and dairy farmers. This has been possible through the hard work of its local coordinators, contacting as many producers in Scotland as possible to produce realistic forecasts. With this forward tonnage estimate CalOrg were able to tender to several organic feed suppliers, all of whom were interested in the contract. On the basis of price discount, technical expertise and the most comprehensive service, BOCM Organic Supplies offered the best deal. This contract will be reviewed annually, to ensure that CalOrg secures the best prices for its members. CalOrg has sent the first batch of organic feed off to the SAC for independent nutritional analysis, and this exercise will be repeated on two spot checks of varying rations per month. Checks are made against declared ME, protein and mineral levels.

For information on products and prices contact: Tina Morris, BOCM Tel: 01768 860377; Mobile: 07803 286825 or email: [email protected]; or , Jenny Cuthbert, CalOrg Tel: 01224 711063; Mobile: 07958 050431 or email [email protected]

Independent Organic Livestock Marketing Group for Scotland and the Borders

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White lupins FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT : Jenny Cuthbert - 01224 711063 or [email protected]

THE ORGANIC RANGE OF FEEDS AND ADVICE

Organic lamb production Increasing lambing percentage by 10% from 160 to 176 is worth around £800 per 100 ewes .

BOCM PAULS Natural Organic Range offers:

Natural Organic Sugar Green Nuts . Designed to maintain placental growth and nutrient supply to the developing foetus in mid-pregnancy, when harsh weather limits forage intakes.

Natural Organic Ewe Nuts and Rolls . For feeding to ewes in the run up to lambing and during lactation.

Natural Organic Calf & lamb Pellets. For creep feeding and finishing lambs .

Sheep Feeds Natural Organic Ewe Nuts/Rolls 18% Protein Natural Organic Universal 17 Nuts 17% Protein Natural Organic Sugar Green Nuts 15% Protein

Organic Beef Production This can be a highly profitable enterprise and relies on high quality forage to achieve best results. Both suckler and dairy bred calves will benefit from concentrate supplement to ensure liveweight gains are maximised at critical times in their lives.

Beef Calves – Creep feeding to help make the most of the young animal’s ability to convert feed into liveweight. The creep feed stage is the most cost effective time to supplement diets.

Growing cattle – Natural Organic Cattle Rearer Nuts are the product of choice for this stage to build frame quickly and efficiently.

Finishing Cattle – For all finishing cattle Natural Organic Cattle Rearer Nuts or Natural Organic Beef Nuts will complement all types of forage in the finishing stages.

Youngstock and Beef Feeds Natural Organic Calf & lamb Pellets 16% Protein Natural Organic Cattle Rearer Nuts 16% Protein Natural Organic Beef Nuts 14% Protein Natural Organic Grain Balancer Pellets 28% Protein

BOCM PAULS LTD is proud to be associated with Caledonian Organics. Contact Details: Tina Morris 01768 860377/07803286825 All BOCM PAULS LTD Organic feeds approved in accordance with Organic Certification UK5

SAC Organic Market Link Update

There are very mixed messages about the current state of the organic market. The media re- ports a big down turn in both interest and retail sales in the organic market due to the re- cession whilst conversely the supermarkets are reporting good year on year growth in volume sales of organic produce to 8th September 2008. Riverford box schemes report increased sales and Grahams Dairies have recently announced that they have increased their weekly production of organic butter by 93% over the last twelve months.

So, what is happening in the organic beef, lamb and grain market here in Scotland?

Prices are down 40p to 297p per kilo for cattle but they are still the same price as they were this time last year. However, they have lost their large premium when compared to con- ventional cattle which are at the unprecedented price of 292p per kilo. This is pretty much the same story in the lamb market; prices are very similar to this time last year at 285p per kilo but again show very little premium when compared to conventional lambs which are currently making 275p per kilo. The price of organic grain is considerably lower than this time last year with prices for wheat being quoted at around £200 per tonne. Although these prices are not as keen as last year they are in fact not dissimilar to prices achieved in 2006. But as in any situation, there are always winners and losers and this reduced price will undoubtedly be beneficial for many in the organic livestock sector who struggled to pay the big prices for animal feed last year.

What will happen in the next while is really anyone’s guess but the Scottish organic meat processors are optimistic that their organic mar- ket is sustainable and worth supporting so that should give producers confidence.

Caroline Bayliss SAC Organic Farming Consultant

An Internet View... The following view was bl ogged recentl y on the Austr alian organic website http://www.organicangels.com/bl og/?p=104 and it is an encour- aging experience. It should also be said that similar views are held by some SOPA members who are selling direct to the consumer and seeing a surge of custom away from supermar kets and into local organic food outlets. Anecdotal evidence is that a simpl e mar keti ng mes- sage attr acts customers who already want to buy organic and local, and they see local direct food as significantl y better value in cash ter ms.

“I run an organic delivery business in Melbourne Australia. Over the last couple of months, I have had a lot of people presuming my business would be starting to struggle because of the credit crunch. I guess as organic produce is a premium item, consumers with a tight budget would tend to go with cheaper non-organic counterparts. But to be honest my business is still growing, there has been no drop in total sales over the last couple of months, although I have noticed slower growth (but this also happened at the same time last year). This could be because Australia isn’t yet affected by recession like many of the worlds other developed countries. But I think there is another good reason, and that is people that want to look after their bodies and their families, are more likely to sacrifice junk food and take aways than stop buying organic. An article in the Australian Food News starts with the headline that organic food is not safe in the downturn, but then also goes onto say that growth is slower rather than there is a decline in sales. In the same article it shows research by Mintel ; the organic industry grew (worldwide) last year by 140%! More and more people are being educated on their food choices are starting to purchase organic produce. Mintel conclude from their research that “Economic struggles will undoubtedly change the way organic food and drink is sold. But we don’t expect people to completely stop buying organics. We antici- pate more subtle changes, s uch as the formerly all-organic shopper who returns to traditional cookie brands while sticking with organic produce. These small changes will slow market growth.” In another article in the Australian Food News published 17 Nov 2008 states “The trend toward health and wellness and the desire of many consumers to become “green”, is likely to see continued success over coming years. The economic downturn may limit growth in the next year, however.” So growth will be slow, but growth is growth, and I don’t see any organic retailer or farmer going out of business over the next year.”6 SOPA Inspector Emily Grant

Apart from a year out in 2007, when I was working for Energy) and originally from a sheep and beef farm in SAC in water quality, I have been organic inspecting Laggan. for about 10 years now; so how did I end up doing We also farm, running approximately 300 ewes. this? They are now predominantly Texel/Cheviot cross, put back to the Texel. Because we rent in some As is probably true of quite a few things in life, I sort grazing locally we’re not registered organic, but our of fell into it! system would certainly qualify well.

Although my parents don’t farm it was always in the We sell all our lambs fat off grass from June until blood. My mum was the eldest of seven from a live- September/October. We’re trying to find the ‘perfect’ stock farming family. However, she spent all her time sheep (is that possible?) so undertake a lot of re- helping her mother in the house and vowed never to cording and keep replacements from only the best marry a farmer. She didn’t! My grandparents still performing sheep i.e. those that lamb unassisted farm in Aberdeenshire, but as a child I used to spend and successfully rear twins. As we feel we’re going many happy summer holidays on their farm in Ork- a bit too far down the Texel line (80+ kgs is a lot of ney. Admittedly much of that time was spent riding sheep to handle!) we’ve invested in some new ge- ponies, rather than helping with the cattle!! netics and bought a New Zealand Highlander tup to try. We await lambing with interest! I always wanted to be a vet, but just failed to make the grades necessary, and ended up studying Agri- I’m lucky to be based in Perth, and although I don’t culture at Edinburgh University. When I was studying have any dairy farms to inspect I get to see a wide Agriculture it was all about maximising yields, genetic range of different enterprises, mainly across modification and transgenics – the word ‘organic’ was Perthshire and Angus. I’ve met some great folk, never even mentioned! After graduating I worked for seen some really beautiful parts of the country and J Bibby Agriculture in Scone and, when the mill learned a lot too. What more could you ask for?! closed went on to do a Masters degree in Environ- mental Management at Stirling University. Shortly after graduating, I started with SOPA. Those were the days of the office being a wee portacabin on a farm near Doune!!

I met my husband whilst at Edinburgh. He too stud- ied agriculture at Edinburgh a couple of years ahead of me. He’s a rural practice chartered surveyor and works for Airtricity (part of Scottish & Southern

What's in The Larder? Over the past few months SOPA has been working in conjunction with colleagues at SFQC in developing a partnership with the renowned consumer publication The List. This partnership will see the publication of The Larder , a major new publication about Scotland’s food and drink: what we produce, where it comes from and where to get hold of it. Avail- able from next spring, The Larder will be the most authoritative and up-to-date guide to Scottish produce available in print, with feature articles and colour photography covering the country's farmers, fish-smokers, cheese makers, bakers, brewers, distillers and many more. It will also feature product guides, a look at the issues behind food in Scotland and a directory of 250 of the best places to buy local food, from delis and good butchers to farm shops and farmers' markets. John Hamilton, Chair of the Scottish Organic Producers Association said: "SOPA is sponsoring The Larder because we want to raise the profile of great Scottish food. We believe many people would like to know more about organic food and the stories behind it and would probably buy more local produce if they knew where to go and what to look out for. We'd also like retailers and restaurants to provide more information about the food they sell, so by working with The List, and their partners SFQC who know so many food producers, we can help make this easier." SOPA members direct-selling to the public can get listed in The Larder by contacting Owen Freeman at SFQC on 0131 335 6654 or by email owen.freeman@s7 fqc.co.uk

SOPA Approved Products

SOPA certifies the following soil nutrient inputs as Approved Products.

Approved Product status means that the product is approved for use in organic systems. Farmers and growers still need to check with the SOPA Certification team for permission to use the product.

Approved Product certification does not offer any endorsement for efficacy of the product.

PROGRESS WITH SEER ROCKDUST

As we come to the close of another year with SOPA approved SEER Rockdust there is plenty of progress to report. The main success is again for home gardening with another crop of delighted gardeners who see an improvement in their vegetables, and flowers. For vegetables, the Royal National Rose Society Judge, Lan- cashire based Tony Bracegirdle, who is also a dedicated allotment grower, confirms he has the best crop ever of potatoes. Dundee Landscape Gardener, Jean Lackie reports her best-established-garden-ever when she put in a new garden for a customer using locally sourced topsoil and SEER Rockdust. For farming - Alan Brownie, who gets such good SEER Rockdust re-ordering business from the 20kg bags he sells in his BA Stores near Echt, decided to try a bulk load for his silage crop this year. He was rewarded with a higher bale count in the half of the field where the SEER Rockdust had been used. In Alan's words "As standard fertilisers prices rise I expect to see more SEER Rockdust being used in farming." Also on Deeside, organi- cally approved Dr Wendy Steel who co-runs Vital Veg(1) , and who has just been short-listed for BBC Radio Food and Farming Award 2008, tried a bulk load on a crop of Oats under sown with grass and deep rooted herbs. "This is part of our soil improvement programme and whilst not part of a controlled trial we are confident that adding a supply of freshly crushed, mineral rich SEER Rockdust should help improve our soils." states Wendy. Jennifer Cook, Sales Manager for Angus Horticulture Ltd goes on to say "Whilst the Soil Remineralisation Forum becomes involved in more scientific trials, there is no reason why farm- ers cannot reap the undeniable benefits that the gardeners around the country are experiencing on so many different crops. With the Macaulay Research Institute stating that Soil Biodiversity is a new scien- tific frontier ( 2) we can’t say exactly why it works, but as a tried and tested, 100% natural volcanic dust, the evidence that it does work is growing on a daily basis. Scientific analysis shows it to contain over two thirds of all the elements in the Periodic Table." Plenty of Testimonials can be seen on Angus's website www.angus-horticulture.co.uk

(1) www.vitalveg.co. uk ( 2) Scottish Government Website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ 8 SOPA Approved Products

Swift Nature UK has very Plocher products and Livestock Plocher Products and Crops recently gained SOPA approval Protocols have been developed to for 8 of it’s Plocher products. Whilst individual products may be used, we guide typical timings of applications recommend implementing the whole pro- for crops, including cer eals, vegeta- Plocher Slurry Treatment grammes. They have been dev eloped to gain maximum benefit and are all based on a three- bles, fr uit and flow ers. They focus on Plocher Komposter pronged approach. They can help to improve: helping to:

Plocher Soil Activator 1, 2 & 3 THE H OUSING E NVIRONMENT IMPROVE THE SOIL

Plocher PlantDO • reducing ammonia levels • improving soil structure • virtually eliminating flies • increasing soil fertility Plocher PlantME • improving housing hygiene • improving soil hygiene • Plocher Plant Vital stimulating beneficial soil microbes WATER Q UALITY by activ ely building humus levels Plocher ActiveLeaf • reducing toxins and pathogens • reducing heavy metals and chlorine lev- PROMOTE STRONG GROWTH Plocher PlantVital F1 els in w ater • optimising photosynthesis and leaf • eliminating limescale growth Sw ift Nature (UK distributor s of • improving taste so w ater consumption • strengthening immune system Plocher products) are exhibiting at increases • protecting against f ungal attack and Agr iscot so come along to Stand 2 to disease find out about the products and how THE B ENEFIT OF G OOD F EED • protecting crop during adv erse they can help Scotland’s or ganic • improving feed usage, digestion and weather conditions farmers and growers. metabolism • improving recov ery time after attack • reducing stress from pests or disease • reduce lodging in cereals Contact Char lotte Wilson 01280 822 • improving ammonia lev els in faeces and 188 or www.swiftnature.co.uk urine

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SOPA New Associate Member

SOPA works with a number of trade companies who have an interest in the Scottish organic industry. Biotal has recently joined SOPA as an Associate Member

21 st Century Organic Biotechnology Now in his 15 th year with the Company, Chris Totten believes that Biotal’s technology has now come to the fore within the organic industry and is one of the UK's leading companies specialising in the development of products based on microbial and enzyme technology. Utilising this technology Biotal has developed a range of natural, non hazardous biological products as alternatives to traditional chemicals which are unpleasant, corrosive or toxic, for Agriculture, Equine, Garden and Industrial applications. All Biotal products are manufactured to ISO 9001-2000 standards, and are independently tested to ensure that product quality is maintained through to end user.

“The business”, he says, ”focuses on the research, development, manufacture and supply of forage additives and feed supplements using naturally occurring micro-organisms, and we believe that we are the only Company utilising non-GM enzymes for this purpose.” “Especially in a year like this,” he comments “forage quality is vital to ensure optimum health and productivity for dairy cows and beef cattle but during the hectic activity at silage making time, it can be all too easy to forget the reason for much of the planning, preparation, hard work and investment. We try and encourage farmers to optimise the production of home grown forage and feed, which is achieved by harvesting crops at the right time and applying a suitable additive to enhance the feed value and ensure a good preservation.”

High specification forage and feed additives for grass, maize, cereal and protein crops are available from Biotal, all of which have Soil Association and Organic Farmers & Growers approval.

Also developed by Biotal is Lupicaleage® (pictured), a mix of lupins and triticale producing an inexpensive complete diet for the growing animal, providing a quality protein, starch and highly effective source of “scratch” fibre, incorporating Biotal Wholecrop Legume.

Biotal also supply a rumen specific live yeast. There are many benefits to using live yeast in dairy or beef diets, including improved digestibility and rumen health.

Contact Chris Totten on 07775 538073 for more information about Biotal and the products available for organic farming or go online to http://www.biotal.co.uk/agricultural/

10 Norton Organic Cereals Market Update

Attempting to write a market update at a time when Organic feed wheat is currently trading at a both domestic and international economies are in the premium of approximately £90 per tonne over greatest turmoil since the 1930’s is not the easiest non organic supplies and we are very keen to task. A month ago the £/$ exchange rate was 1.75, locate any samples that might make milling last March it was almost $2/£. As we write this it has quality as millers are finding imported grain very now fallen below $1.50/£. The £/€ exchange rate has expensive with weak sterling. **See stop press also weakened, although to a lesser extent. World- below ** If you have any wheat that could make wide numerous major international finance houses milling grade please contact us for more informa- have been bailed out by taxpayer via their govern- tion. Samples remain VERY important for all ments. Indeed the financial credibility of a number of grades and we ask that you monitor all stored countries is now in question. With the benefit of hind- grains carefully through the winter. sight, no-one can be too surprised that the frothy We are in the process of trying to put to- economy built on a period of spiralling debt has come gether a New Year organic Bean supply pro- to a close; the impressive finale of the Chinese Olym- gramme so if you have beans for sale we would pics can now be seen to have also signalled the end like to hear from you as we think demand will be of the consumer boom era of the last decade or so. seen. It is inevitable that the impact of this turmoil Prices have dropped significantly in the is seen in changing consumer habits, and although conventional grain market and we are starting to fuel and possibly mortgage costs are on the down- see some farms who had previously put conver- turn, there are few people who have not become more sion plans ‘on hold’ whilst non organic cereals cautious in their spending. 3 months ago television were profitable, are now clearly reviewing their programmes were promoting healthy eating and or- options with huge increases in input costs. ganic foods. This message was adopted by super- To conclude , we feel a lot of the markets keen to profit from value added food prod- negatives in the market are now factored into ucts. Now it is easier and more effective for them to prices and that the New Year may bring in some promote cut-price lines. The clamour for 12 month improvement. This obviously depends on the con- guaranteed supply deals on organic, and dition of the wider economy and is almost impos- also conventional, raw materials has gone as bearish sible to predict with any certainty. The autumn market conditions encourage buyers to delay making has also to date been very mild and any true win- forward purchases in a weakening marketplace. ter weather would also support prices. In the Commodity markets in every sector world- short term we strongly suggest that we keep in wide have therefore fallen sharply over recent weeks close contact to ensure that the correct marketing and sadly we see this trend to continue for the remain- decision is made in a challenging environment. der of 2008. Organic markets have also felt this re- trenchment and prices have slipped back steadily Current Values ex farm since the long and tiresome harvest that many of our Dec/Jan 2008/9 customers have had to endure. Prior to the financial crisis taking over the headlines some elements of the Feed wheat £170 media were suggesting that the Organic sector would Feed barley £165 be getting squeezed as consumers start to trade down Oats/Triticale £170 and whilst we have seen some evidence of this, other Beans £240 areas do remain upbeat as many Organic retail consumers will be reluctant to change their buying habits. Markets have been lethargic with our buyers adopting a hand to mouth buying policy to date which **STOP PRESS** has been frustrating and very different when We have just been speaking to a major miller compared to the strong demand seen last season. looking specifically for low protein UK Or- One of the major compounders unfortunately chose to ganic milling wheats for Feb/March/April delivery. purchase a significant quantity of imported cereal They have a customer demanding UK origin back in August and, with the economy now officially in wheat and this contract will extend if we are able recession, other buyers will only bid as and when they to source sufficient supplies for them. This is po- make sales. Some areas of organic trade appear to tentially an exciting opportunity for those of you be particularly slow, notably organic poultry, and de- growing quality wheats so please get any sam- mand for oats for domestic use has also been slack. ples in to us as soon as possible. To counter this we are at present looking to export oats in the New Year to replace reduced demand from Simon Tubbs, telephone 01787 210899 our two UK oat millers. 11

Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

Our organic food processing certification scheme goes from strength to strength with a steady stream of new food businesses signing up with SOPA for organic certification. The next few pages are dedicated to infor- mation about these companies—what they make and where you can buy their wonderful organic food. Hope- fully you find be inspired for Christmas! When speaking to these organic suppliers please mention you are a SOPA member.

Connage Highland Dairy www.connage.co.uk

We produce 6 delicious award winning cheeses from organic home produced milk.

Our fabulous Connage Crowdie is mousse like, smooth, used for sweet or savoury dishes, and been named

THE BEST CHEESE IN SCOTLAND 2008 at the British Cheese Awards

Buy on line or direct from creamery door

Milton of Connage Ardersier Inverness Iv2 7QU

Tel:01667 462000 Fax:01667 462004

www.connage.co.uk

12 Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

Friederike continues to grow her organic chocolate business and in the run up to Christmas this year is introducing two new organic chocolate bars: Maple & Pecan and Cardamon

We caramelise the pecans in high grade organic maple syrup and add them to the chocolate.

The Cardamon bar is made with a mix of cardamon seeds, cardamon powder and a hint of sugar to bring out the flavour.

Both of these bars and more will be available at our stalls at the events below and also in an increasing number of shops throughout the Central Belt. See our website for a full list of stockists. Here’s some great events to visit where you can find us in the run up to Christmas:

Save the Children Fundraiser Marine Hotel, North Berwick Sunday 23rd Nov

Peebles Christmas Craft Fair Burgh Hall, Peebles Saturday 6th Dec, 10am - 4pm

The Twelve Tastes of Christmas Knowes Farm Shop, East Lothian 20th Dec - 23rd Dec

And of course we will be attending Haddington Farmers Market on 29 th November and 20 th December, and we’ll be at the Edinburgh Farmers Markets every fortnight beginning 25 th October.

Hope to see you there!

www.thewww.the----chocolatechocolatechocolate----tree.co.uktree.co.uk

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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

Situated on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills near Duns

FREE RANGE ORGANIC EGGS

Our eggs can be purchased from following outlets: Borders Fayre, Duns The Green Shop, Berwick-upon-Tweed Berwick Garden Centre Kelso Wholefoods Cornhill Village Shop The Alnwick Deli Tullys, Rothbury Johnsons Butcher, Wooler G & S Organics We also supply a number of caterers

WINDSHIEL PORK, BEEF & LAMB

Purchase meat direct from the farm:

Pork from Tamworth pigs, Aberdeen Angus suckler beef, lamb and mutton from our hill flock of Lleyn sheep, all reared outdoors in the Lammermuir Hills.

All meat is slaughtered at Scottish Borders Abattoir in Galashiels and butchered by Freeland Foods, Kelso. EJ & SE BAKER WINDSHIEL FARM Nr DUNS BERWICKSHIRE TD11 3TU Tel: 01361 883863 Email: [email protected] 14

Organic Christmas Ideas SP EC IA TO L AL O BU M L F Ruthy’s is a new organic food company certi- Y EM SO FE 2 P B PA R fied by SOPA , making organic scone pre- AC ER C KS S mixes. We’ve tried these scones in the office. ON GE w TA T A They come highly recommended . w CT T w. R HI rut ut RD hy hy F tel s. at RE 01 co. E 38 uk 7 7 11 80 2

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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

Coco’s of Bruntsfield

Rebecca Knights-Kerswell, Owner & Head Chocolatier at Coco’s of Bruntsfield offers a stunning range of connoisseur or- ganic chocolates.

The designer range of hand made chocolates includes a number of prize-winning delights such as infused organic chocolate bars, the signature Sirens range with gift bags, gift boxes and even Advent Calendars—there is an inspired taste to suit all.

Rebecca explores new boundaries in chocolatier design—her stunning flavours include rose and ginger, chilli and earl grey amongst a great many more. Christmas treats for 2008 include Coco Christmas Selection with delights such as Dark Chocolate with Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, Organic Milk with Christmas Spice, Organic White with Cranberry and Cinnamon & Nutmeg

For that special experience call into the beautiful shop at 174 Bruntsfield Road, Edinburgh where Rebecca’s trained staff offer a charming experience explaining the chocolates from bean to bar, serve liqueurs and muscats to enhance that chocolate experience, or you can enjoy the finest Italian Massimo coffees and loose leaf teas.

Rebecca also offers famous Chocolate Connoisseur Taster Evenings where you can become a certified Chocolate Connoisseur. Meet new friends and taste the range, with the chance to try rare, single origin chocolates accompanied by a fortified French granache.

The luxury goes on and on at Cocos….

Coco Chocolate can also be bought exclusively at Harvey Nichols UK luxury Foodmarkets or go online at www.buycoco.co.uk for delivery throughout the UK.

Let the Coco Sirens Tempt You to Chocolate Bliss

Rebecca KnightsKerswell Owner & Head Chocolatier Coco Chocolate Telephone 0131 228 4526 www.cocochocolate.co.uk

16 Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

Mollinsburn Organics is a farm shop and online box scheme based in Mollinsburn, near Glasgow. What started out as a small organic outlet has grown beyond all expectations and now the family business is expanding even further. The shop opened in 2007 and with exceptional growth and sup- port from local shoppers, it is now too small and Ian and Caroline Baillie (father and daughter) are investigating further property space to house all the fruit, veg, Wholefoods and meat & poultry.

Caroline is always on the lookout for new product lines to offer to the shop and online customers and there are a number of SOPA certified businesses who supply Mollinsburn Organics—a great example of using Scottish suppliers to improve small business networks. At Mollinsburn’s you can buy Mrs Hamilton’s organic lamb, Mull Organics muesli and Bandirran Garden veg, amongst a whole lot more.

Box scheme deliveries are available throughout Glasgow and the Central belt but call Ian to check.

A new offering for Christmas are organic gift hampers and gift baskets, starting at £30 with delivery available throughout Scotland.

Go online to www.mollinsburnorganics.co.uk to find out the full range and order online, or contact Ian and Caroline direct on the order line 07847 181 063.

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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

Welcome to Cairns Farm, the home of Mrs Hamilton's organic beef and lamb and mutton. Tender and succulent meat, bred and reared in the Pentland Hills.

Our products have very low food miles, we carefully mature and hand le all our stock on our land to ensure the highest standards of traceability.

We have created our own butchery onsite and a shop selling our meats and produce from local suppliers.

Where to buy

Go online to www.mrshamilton.com

Come and visit us—our fCairns Farm Shop is open Thursdays and Fridays 1pm—7pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm

Find us at Edinburgh Farmers Market every Saturday Balerno Farmers Market every second Saturday and Linlithgow every fourth Sunday

Telephone 01506 881 510

18 Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members

ABOUT BORDER MERINGUES In the early days, before Sharon formed the well known Borders company Border Meringues, little did she real- ise that making meringues from left-over egg whites from a friend making quiches would end up turning into a full time job and support a business. Today, this very business now supplies over 25 delis and speciality shops. Although our meringues are sweet on the outside, they are full of healthy ingredients including organic eggs and sugar. They are also fat-free and glutten-free. Nowadays, the company has grown and evolved so much that Border Meringues now has premises in Jedburgh as well as the farm-based kitchen where the business started out in Morebattle, near Kelso in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

Border Meringues makes over one million meringues per year!

MERINGUES WE MAKE

Meringue Shells —Mini Meringue Shells —Pavlova Cases —Meringue Nests —Mini Meringue Nests —Mini Meringues drizzled in Chocolate —Meringue Nests drizzled in Chocolate

We can make meringues in all shapes, sizes and even colours. If you have a special occasion call Sharon on 01573 440787 to discuss your requirements.

WHERE TO BUY Throughout southern Scotland and Northern England

Westmoorland Service Station, M6 South ASDA, Dunbar Low Sizergh Barns, Kendal Fishermans Kitchen, North Berwick Lairds Larder, Haughton Hall Garden Centre, Carlisle Baxters, Ocean Terminal & Kelty Gretna Green Food Hall, Gretna Dobbies Garden Centres, Dalkeith & Stirling Juniper Fine Foods, Dumfries Allan Hill Fruit Farm, St. Andrews (Seasonal only) Country Kitchen, Melrose East Ord Garden Centre, Berwick upon Tweed Lees Buthcers, Kelso & Yetholm Dobbies Garden Centres, Ponteland Turnbulls, Hawick Blagdon Farm Shop, Near Newcastle Baxters, Selkirk Crinions, Lanchester, County Durham Asda, Galashiels Cranstons Food Hall, Penrith Teviot Game fair Smokery and Water Garderns, Kelso J & J Grahams, Penrith 19 CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE

• Lim/BlondeX hiefers for sale. 18mths old. Home bred and fully organic. Call Andy Cadzow on 07768 938470. Mid Lothian.

• 50acres grass plus stubbles for store lamb grazing or ewe wintering. Contact Archie Stewart (SOPA 826) on 07789 220 469 or 01573 225 028. Kelso.

• Approx 15t of Oats (Firth) available in the Turriff/ Aberchirder area. FULLY ORGANIC. Contact Paul (SOPA 860) 01466 780573

• up to 30t organic peas available. Telephone Brian Hepburn SOPA 009 on mobile 07801651370. Moray.

• GallowayX/Blue Grey bulling heifers for sale. 18 months old. Contact Forbes Gauld (SOPA 591) on 07776 145 025. Perthshire.

• 18 in-calf organic heifers (JerseyX and AyrshireX) to Jersey bull. Tel Stuart Ramsay on mobile 07931 497 288. Stranraer.

• 1 heifer and 2 bullocks born March/April 2007.AA cross. Fully organic.All in good condition. Tel Val or Norman Crank. SOPA. Tel: 01988 700518. Wigtownshire.

• Pure breed Shetland cattle. Organic and from Shetland Herd Book. Young breeding stock avail- able. SOPA 428. ER & ST Balfour. tel 01806 522 619. Shetland.

• 90t oats 90t barley 60t wheat all 2nd year inconversion dried excellent quality contact kenneth mob 07734702579. Inverurie.

• approx 100t Organic spring barley (Westminster), dried and stored. Contact the Bruges (SOPA 721) on 01350 724 241. Perthshire.

• 30 Shorthorn cross calves,15 heifers,15 bullocks.March/April born. 7 Store bullocks,shorthorn cross,18 months. 10 Cows,converted breeding stock,8-10 years old,AA&Lim.cross.Been running with AA bull since June.Tel David Murray, SOPA 200. 01887 820808 or mob 07533 123749. Aber- feldy.

• 2nd year conversion grain for sale, all dried and good quality. 40t Spring Barley, 100t oats and 10 t Wheat. Please contact Jon 07967089356. SOPA 911. Lauder.

Wanted

• Grazing/Wintering wanted for 150-200 lambs. Tel.01887 820808 mob.07533 123749. SOPA 200 David Murray. Aberfeldy.

• Organic feeding straw and hay wanted, any quantity considered. Tel Stuart Ramsay SOPA 363 on mobile 07931 497 288. Stranraer.

• Wee bales of organic hay required, will take any quantity. Please telephone Mr Ferguson on 01581 600 255. Wigtownshire.

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