Fact sheet Diversification () 02

V1 2020 02

ORGANIC

Introduction wholesalers and retailers. Organic fruit and nutrition Organic fruit and vegetables are the main vegetable production is therefore an ongoing management consumer entry point for purchasing organic profitable business sector, which for those produce, and they continue to be the area of with the required skills, offers a financially shortest supply in the organic sector, with and professionally rewarding enterprise. As a most produce imported. guide, when converting to organic horticulture, a general reduction of 20% to Market opportunities 50% in yield compared to conventional Marketing opportunities vary from direct to production is likely. A price premium of 30% consumer sales, e.g., farmers’ markets and to 100% would be expected above box schemes, all the way to emerging links conventional sale price, depending on the between farmers/groups of farmers with outlet, i.e., wholesale or direct sales.

The organic grower “feeds the soils to feed the ”. In a well-managed organic unit, nutrients are supplied largely from the biological breakdown of soil organic matter. All crop nutrients apart from nitrogen (N) should be maintained through the use of imported organic and permitted mineral fertilisers, such as rock phosphate or Organic horticulture the country, particularly with polytunnel seaweed minerals to make up any shortfall identified using soil analysis for sector in Ireland and/or glasshouse production. For full interpretation of the rules and regulations specific horticulture . Bought in Organic horticulture production in Ireland governing organic fruit and vegetable organic matter will help boost N supply, takes place on holdings varying from small farming, it is essential to study the ‘Organic but gains may be modest, as most material will have to be composted for -style holdings to commercial market Food and Farming Standards in Ireland’ garden enterprises. Field scale production is document, which is available from the three months prior to application. The generally limited to soils in suitable climates in organic certification bodies (OCBs) – the Irish introduction of leguminous-green the midlands and south east. Commercial Organic Association (IOA) and the Organic manures into the rotation, such as red production however is possible throughout Trust. clover can help increase N levels. 2) 1) garden business organic market grow an 10 steps to 02: ORGANICHORTICULTURE The followingresources arealsohelpful Further information 5) 4) 3) Teagasc office. advisory For furtherinformationpleasecontact yourlocal

including: available tocombatdiseasesandpests, products. Awiderangeoftechniquesare using alimitedrangeofpermitted means workingwithnaturalcyclesandonly rather thantotallyeradicatingthem.This potential problemsandonmanagingpests, diseases, emphasisisplacedonpreventing chemical spraystocombatpestsand As organicgrowersdonotsprayartificial management Pest anddisease www.teagasc.ie/horticulture www.teagasc.ie/organics mentors, seekfinancialadvice,determine salesperson atthesametime.Use grower, agoodmanagerand Business on holdingsgreaterthanfouracres. rule ofthumbmechanisationisrequired Manual labourvsmechanisation grower. conventional commercial horticulture horticulture experience;or, anexisting existing farmerwithnoprevious farming andseekingaccesstoland;an depend onwhetheryouare:newto The sizeofyourinitialholdingwill and theskillsyouacquirealongway. Start small climate. crops aresuitabletoyourlandtypeand Match cropstoland Identify

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Fact sheet producedbyDan Clavin,Teagasc FarmManagement andRuralDevelopment Department. 10) 9) 8) 7) 6) Organic Poultry Organic Dairy Organic Cereals Organic CattleandSheep Steps toOrganicConversion Other usefulfactsheetsinthisseries: n n n n n n n insects; using barriers,e.g.,fleeceorbio-netsfor resistant potatoes; using appropriatevarieties,e.g.,blight- having healthy, well-nourishedsoil; crop rotation; timing ofsowing,e.g.,Junesowing eggs; to discouragethelayingofcaterpillar ofgrowthunderbrassicas an understory under-sowing toconfusepests–have natural vegetationaroundfields; encouraging naturalpredators,e.g., activities outsideofthebusiness. work–life balance.Getinvolvedin Work–life balance grower meetings. technically. Attendfarmwalksand Growing skills tasks. Staff job, useborrowingsorsavings. business. Planaccordingly, e.g.,off-farm the formativethreetofouryearsof Income applicable. Marine (DAFM)grantschemeswhere Department ofAgriculture,Foodandthe secure bankloans.Makeuseof business plan,whichcanalsohelp Financial planning –matchstaffskillswithappropriate

–expectlittleornoincomefor

your ownbusinesscourse. –keepuptodate

–maintainagood –completea

sign uptoastart

term goals,and clear long-

organic regulations. Only useproductspermittedunderthe n n n n controlled usingthefollowing: chemical methodandthereforemustbe Weeds cannotbecontrolledbyany n n n n n n n and forgeneralhealth. use sulphurasafungicideagainstrust spray tohelpcontrolaphids;and, alter thescentofcrop,e.g.,usegarlic of nematodestocontrolslugs; introduction ofpredators,e.g.,release number ofplantpathogens; Bacillus subtilis biological controlsinthetunnels,e.g., of carrotrootfly; carrots shouldmissthefirstgeneration use transplantswhichprovidean weed seedscontainedwithin; composting ofmanureswillhelpkill fabric/biodegradable groundcover; use plasticmulchesorweedcontrol crops, suchaspotatoes; as onions,withweed-suppressant alternate weed-susceptiblecrops,such crop; or mechanicalcultivation,growthe weeds, killtheweedsthroughthermal false andstaleseedbeds–growthe weeder, etc. hoe, tractor-mountedbrush use equipmentsuchasanoscillating weeds; and, green manurehelpstosuppress weeds; opportunity togetastepaheadofthe

(BS),whichcontrolsa

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