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Executive Summary

With a growth rate exceeding twenty per cent per annum, it seems the potential of the organic farming industry in Australia is only just being realised. Consumers are becoming acutely aware of the possible chemicals contamination in products they eat, drink and wear and there is subsequently a growing demand for products guaranteed to be chemical-free. With increased demand comes increased supply, and since the 1980s researchers in Australia have been looking in detail at the long term potential and viability of organic farming. Much of this research, including this report, has been aimed at finding ways to encourage producers into this industry to help match supply with the rapidly increasing worldwide demand.

To determine the content of this report, market research was carried out and included the discussions at a number of focus group meetings held in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and a survey being sent to over 1000 farmers (organic and conventional growers). The aim of the survey was to help direct the content of the package and confirm the specific areas of organic farming the report needed to cover.

The results of the focus group meetings and survey were used to develop an outline for the report on a chapter by chapter basis. The survey results were incorporated into the outline for the manual to ensure the report is a true reflection of the information farmers want to see included in the manual, and this information will be applicable to all agricultural industries.

This report, Organic Farming in Australia, has been compiled for conventional farmers who are thinking of converting to organic farming, and for producers who have recently become organic farmers and who would like more detailed information on any aspects of their production. The report provides a step-by-step guide to organic farming, and technical articles give a detailed explanation of organic farming principles and accreditation, certification procedures, pest and weed management, soil health, crop and livestock production, potential marketing strategies, industry contacts and an economic evaluation of organic farming.

Following a brief introduction outlining the development of the organic industry in Australia, the report looks at issues facing a farmer wanting to convert to organic production. Suitable land and a high level of motivation and commitment are essential for a farmer looking to convert. Once the decision has been made to begin organic production, it is suggested the farmer draws up a detailed conversion plan to aid the change from conventional to organic farming. This plan is made up of a thorough farm assessment or audit to establish the current situation and a step-by-step action plan. The action plan must address issues such as information gathering, soil fertility improvement, rotation design, weed, pest and disease control, farm infrastructure, livestock requirements, cultivation and tillage, labour requirements, financial implications, marketing requirements, and a risk assessment, as applicable.

The next section of the report looks at pest and weed management in an organic production system. This is an area, which often poses the most problems for organic farmers, during both the conversion phase, and once an organic system has been established. However, the report offers many solutions for pest and weed control, and offers a new way of thinking to help farmers work with nature rather than against it. Rather than simply replacing synthetic pesticides with naturally occurring products, it is suggested that design and management are the key to success in controlling pests and weeds. The report details the use of integrated pest management (IPM) as part of a pest control programme, and gives suggestions for cultural, biological and allowable natural pesticides control for various common pests. There is also a detailed list of products available to the organic farmer for pest control, although each certifying agency may vary this list according to their own requirements.

Similarly, suggested methods of weed control outlined in the report include cultivation, competition,thermal weeding, solarisation, crop choice, sowing density, fertilisation, irrigation, hand weeding, suppression, mechanical control, crop rotations, the use of livestock and biological controls. It is interesting to note that no herbicides are currently permitted for use on certified organic farms, although transitional farmers may use pine or citrus oil-based herbicides. The section of the report devoted to organic production systems is broken down into three sub-sections: soil health, crop and pasture management and livestock production.

Healthy soil is an essential part of any farming system. In an organic farming operation, an effective nutrient cycle becomes even more important as producers are limited to being able to use only certain approved fertilisers. However, by correctly managing the inorganic elements and organic matter in their soil, and ensuring there is sufficient aeration and moisture, organic farmers can grow as healthy crops and pastures as any other farmer. Many inorganic elements are an allowable input on certified organic farms, and there is a large range of commercial mixes or single elements available. Organic matter can be provided to the soil through composts, green manure or cover crops, well composted animal or poultry manure or composted industry waste free of unallowable contaminants.

The crop and pasture management section of the manual details the allowable inputs for use in soil fertilisation and soil conditioning on organic farms. It also looks at suitable green manure crops and strategies that can be used for enhancing soil fertility. These strategies include accurate fertiliser placement, reducing weed competition, timing application with moisture, minimising cultivation and water-logging and doing extensive soil tests first so nutrient inputs are matched to existing soil conditions and anticipated plant needs. There is also a detailed section on large scale composting and how to make and apply compost on farm to enhance the nutrient cycle. Livestock can play a vital role in an organic production system as they provide an effective form of weed control, pest management, nutrient cycling and help crop establishment. The livestock production section of the report looks at how to incorporate livestock into an organic farming system so they too can be sold as organic produce. Livestock management in this situation can differ from conventional livestock management as synthetic chemicals can not be used to maintain animal health without the loss of the livestock’s certified organic status. However, the report suggests a number of ways to minimise the likelihood of a disease outbreak and control pests in livestock, much of which has to do with getting soil and pasture health right first.

One of the most daunting parts for any farming converting to organic production is the conversion process. This section of the report looks at domestic and international certifying bodies, why there is a need to be certified, what is meant by the ‘organic in conversion period’, what paperwork is involved in certification and the overall cost and benefits of certification. There are currently seven different certifying bodies in Australia, with some being more industry-specific than others. A brief description is given of each agency and their contact details are included in this section. Marketing is undoubtedly one of the keys to a successful organic farming system, and this section of the report looks at providing for an industry in which demand is currently far outstripping supply capability. The three essential rules to marketing organic products are knowing the market culture and its regulatory requirements, knowing the specifications and demands of the customers and knowing your products performance and nature. The second part of this section looks at ways to add value to organic production, at various points along the production chain ranging from the type of produce grown to conducting tours of the enterprise. Also included are some detailed examples of investing in value-adding techniques and the various benefits and costs these will result in. Finally there is a small article on the potential for exporting organic produce, and some of the international certification and quarantine requirements imposed on organic goods.

The final chapter of Organic Farming in Australia looks at the economics of organic farming compared to conventional farming. Evidence available from several studies implies that organic cereal-livestock farming can in some cases be financially as rewarding as conventional farming, both for individual farmers and for the sector as a whole. This is studied in more detail in an article which compares input costs, crop yields, output prices and overall returns for a number of neighbouring organic and conventional farms. Two other trials are discussed in this chapter, including a trial at Roseworthy College in South Australia, which compares soil fertility, weed control and financial returns on conventional and organic trial sites. A similar trial was carried out at Rutherglen in Victoria and the results, which include analysis of soil composition, grain production, wool production and earthworm numbers are also discussed in this section. Included at the end of the report is a list of some of the organic wholesalers and retailers in Australia as well as helpful contacts for information for interested farmers, especially when considering epotential markets for their produce.
 

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Last updated: 27 October 2000
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