INTRODUCTION
Organic agriculture is defined worldwide as farming
without the addition of artificial chemicals.
Today, many people are interested in organic produce and organic
farming.
An artificial chemical is one that has been manufactured or has been processed chemically. Rock phosphate is acceptable on an organic farm but superphosphate is not. The difference is that superphosphate is rock phosphate with a manufactured chemical (sulfuric acid) added to make more of the phosphate soluble.
The definition of organic agriculture includes the word additionÕbecause organic farming is not necessarily chemical-free farming. This is because we live in a world where there are artificial chemicals in the soil, the water and the air.
Organic, like many English words, has several meanings. The meaning referred to in this context is that which applies to whole-farm managementÑthe farm being treated as a living organism. Chemicals such as artificial herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, animal drenches, superphosphate and urea are not used on an organic farm.
NSW Agriculture encourages all farmers, practising either organic or conventional farming, to farm in a sustainable way. Sustainable agriculture refers to farming systems which meet the present and future needs of society by making agriculture as profitable as it can be within the capability of the resource base.
Most Australian farmers farm conventionally, using chemical fertilisers and pesticides where and when appropriate. Generally, fewer chemicals are used on conventional farms in Australia than on conventional farms in the USA and in Europe.
On organic farms, no artificial chemicals are used. They are not used to prepare the soil, to grow the crop or to produce anything on which the crop feeds, or to store, process or market the produce. In addition, animals are allowed to range as freely as is practicable.
Good organic farming is not a backward step. It combines the best of old knowledge and traditions with the best of modern science. It has much in common with other good management. Organic farms, like other well-run farms, need a high level of management, particularly of soils and pests.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
TERMINOLOGY
Certification
Certification means having a farm and the farmers methods
inspected by an organic certifying group to ensure that they comply
with guidelines on organic farming. Each certifying group has
a code of standards which is available to interested people.
Many farmers have their farms certified to reassure wholesalers, retailers and consumers that produce is organic. Consumer pressure and the fraudulent sale of uncertified produce are rapidly making certification essential.
Different certifiers use different inspection methods and criteria, but the results are similar. Each certifier uses two levels of organic certification:
 | The top level, Level A, is the fully organic level. |
| The second level, Level B or in-conversion level, is the transition level. This is for produce from farms which are being converted to organic farms. Farms in this level must meet the Level A standards but are not considered organic until they have been farmed in this way for some timeÑusually at least 2 years. |
NSW, along with other States, and the Australian Government are developing a single standard for the inspection and certification of organic farms. This standard will simplify matters for farmers and exporters of organic produce.
Conventional farming
Conventional farming refers to agriculture in which artificial
chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used.
Biodynamics
Biodynamics refers to a set of principles laid down in the
1920s by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Biodynamic farmers
use special compost preparations, based on cow manure and other
substances, as soil and plant activators. They believe these preparations
increase soil biological activity, thus fertilising soils and
increasing crop growth. They also plant by the phases of the moon.
Biodynamic farms are usually organic. There is a good market in
Europe for biodynamic produce.
Pests
In this Agnote, a pest can mean a disease, a weed, an insect
or a feral animal which is not wanted on an organic farm. Pesticides
are the chemicals used to control pests.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
WHY FARM ORGANICALLY?
People farm organically for many reasons:
| Economics. Demand is growing for organic produce. Most organic farms need fewer inputs from outside the farm, which saves money for the farmer. Prices are often higher for organic produce, so profits may be satisfactory even if yields are lower. |
| Beliefs. Some people believe that organic farming is the right way to farm or that it is better for the long-term future of the Earth. |
| Lifestyle. Not using any chemicals may lead to a more enjoyable lifestyle and better health. There may be more work to do, for example weeding with a scarifier or hoe instead of spraying. |
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
IS ORGANIC FARMING
A THREAT?
Organic and conventional farms can coexist quite happily.
Some conventional farmers believe that having an organic farm
nearby means that they will have more problems with weeds, insects
and diseases. There is no evidence that this is the caseÑgood
organic farmers, like good conventional farmers, do not let weeds
and other pests run rampant.
Some farmers fear that the practice of organic farming is spreading and that conventional farmers will be forced to change the way they farm. Again, there is no indication that this is the case.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
WHO KEEPS ORGANIC FARMERS
HONEST?
Farmers who cheat by using chemicals while they are
supposedly farming organically are likely to be caught. Neighbours
notice what is happening, or the certifying body finds out through
tests on produce and random checks on farming practices.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
WHY DOES NSW AGRICULTURE
SUPPORT ORGANIC FARMING?
NSW Agriculture promotes sustainable agriculture, one
aspect of which is minimising pesticide use. It supports a wide
range of farming activities, both organic and conventional. NSW
Agriculture does not promote conventional farming over organic
farming, or vice versa. It aims to assist all farmers to farm
better.
NSW Agriculture sees organic farming as offering benefits to some farmers. Demand is growing for organic produce and more farmers are wanting information on organic farming. Organic methods offer some farmers the best way to manage their farms. These methods can offer savings in input costs and an improvement in returns.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
HOW DOES ORGANIC FARMING
DIFFER?
Conventional farmers use techniques and products, such
as artificial fertilisers, insecticides, herbicides and fumigants,
which are not available to organic farmers who therefore have
to be cunning in handling potential problems, for example heading
off pests before they become too great a problem. Organic farmers
need to know the habits and life cycles of pests and apply this
knowledge to pest control. They have to replace chemicals with
labour and management.
Good organic farming, like any other good farming, requires a whole-farm approach. This means a crop or animal is managed as part of the whole farm rather than in isolation.
Organic farmers must use long-term strategies and preventive measures, and balance their approaches carefully. For example, if cultivation to control weeds is carried out too frequently, the soil structure can be damaged.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
TACTICS
Organic farmers use many tactics to deal with potential
problems and to improve soil, plant and animal management:
| Rotations help break disease cycles (for example, planting sunflowers alternately with cereal crops) and manage weeds (canola can shade out weeds so that fewer survive to cause problems for a following wheat crop). Rotations with legumes can increase soil nitrogen, particularly if the legume is ploughed in as a green manure. |
| Green manure crops are ploughed in to increase organic matter and soil fertility. |
| Cover crops protect young plants, reduce weeds and encourage predators of pests. |
| Plants with long taproots (for example, canola, safflower and sunflower) can help break up compacted soil and bring nutrients up from lower layers. |
| Weeds can be controlled by hand weeding, cultivation, rotations, grazing management, and by using specialised tools such as brush weeders and flame weeders. |
| Parasites of animals can be managed by selecting resistant animals, varying the stocking density, adopting suitable grazing strategies, and appropriately timing shearing and crutching. |
| Trees act as windbreaks and provide shelter for birds and other animals which can help in pest management. |
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
FARMING WITHOUT
CHEMICALS
Many people find it easier to manage pests with chemicals
than by organic methods. But even without chemicals there are
many techniques available. These include biological and physical
controls and the use of natural chemicals and pheromones, which
are scents used to confuse and intercept pests.
The certifying group decides which chemicals are allowed to be used. Some groups allow natural chemicals such as Bordeaux. Many groups allow rock phosphate, animal manure and waste from conventional farms. Most manures and wastes from conventional farms must be composted before use on an organic farm. Lime and gypsum from natural sources are often used to improve soil.
Organic farmers manage, rather than control, their pests. However, they may have to accept partial or even total crop loss from time to time.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
MARKETS
At present, organic farmers in Australia cannot grow
enough organic produce to meet the local demand. However, some
organic farmers are exporting their products, sometimes because
they find it easier, and sometimes because it offers better returns.
Organic farmers who sell their own produce can find that this is more profitable than for conventional farmersÑthe produce is already specialised by being organic, and can be differentiated from other produce. Conventional farmers selling their own produce are competing with the big firms unless the farmer has something outstanding to offer.
Selling your own produceÕcan mean just setting up a roadside stall, or delivering to shops in local towns or directly to the consumer. For some farmers this extra effort pays off; for others it doesnt.
The most financially successful organic farmers often process some of their produce. Some farmers mill and package flour for wholesalers; others make jam or juice from fruit which would otherwise be wasted.
Capital city wholesalers of organic produce are interested in new suppliers.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
CONVERTING TO ORGANIC
FARMING
If organic farming is for you, then you need to make
some decisions and take some steps to ensure that your transition
is as successful as possible. If you are already farming without
the addition of chemicals, you may want to have your farm certified.
If you are currently using chemicals and wish to convert to organic
farming, the conversion will usually take a few years. Your certifying
organisation will probably regard your produce as converting to
organic or in conversion, rather than organic, during this time.
There is less demand for converting to organic produce than for fully organic produce. The wholesaler may have purchased enough organic product and not require the same line of in-conversion product, or may offer a lower price for it. Otherwise, produce may have to be sold on the conventional market, any premium being lost.
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
FIRST STEPS INTO ORGANIC
FARMING
Review the situation
Have a good look at your farm and your present farming methods,
work out what organic farming can offer you, and realise what
is involved.
Moving to organic farming cannot happen overnight-it takes time. You need to understand your present position as well as where you want your farm to be (that is, organic, biodynamic, certified etc.) before you decide on the best way to get there. You will probably need to make big changes to the way you farm.
Certification
Decide how you will have your farm certified and then commit
yourself to meeting the standards of your certifying group and
resisting the temptation to reach for a chemical when things get
tough.
Start small
Start with a small area to discover your limitations and identify
possible problems. What are your constraints in terms of farming
organically? Here are some of the aspects to look at:
| Knowledge. Do you know enough about farming organically? Do you know where to find out more? Who can help? |
| Tools. Do you have the equipment you need? Some farmers need extra implements for weed management; others have all they need. The tools you need will depend on the size of your organic enterprise and on the crops you are planning to grow. |
| Labour and time. Can you get staff who will work with and understand organic methods? Most people find that organic farming is more time-consuming than conventional farming. |
| Inputs. Do you have access to suitable seed, livestock and other inputs such as manure? Note that organic farming is not a no-input system. |
| Finances. Do you have the financial reserves to cover the drop in income which usually occurs during conversion to organic farming? Do you know the costs and benefits of farming organically? If you are converting for other than financial reasons, how much income can you forgo to satisfy that need? For how long can you forgo that income? |
| Your property. What are the likely problems given the history and surrounds of your farm? There may be patches of soil with high levels of chemical residues, or you may have poor fences which allow neighbouring stock to pass diseases and parasites to your animals. |
[top] [Back to Myocum Herb Farm]
HOW TO GET MORE
INFORMATION
You can find information on organic farming, and on
reducing the use of chemicals, in Agfacts, Agnotes and other NSW
Agriculture publications. Books, magazines and newspapers are
also sources of relevant information. Rural publications such
as the Land often carry articles on farming with fewer
chemicals and on farming organically. Acres Australia is
a publication devoted to organic farming, and there are many smaller
relevant publications.
You may find it beneficial to attend field days held by organic groups and NSW Agriculture. Check beforehand that your queries and the information you seek will be dealt with on the day.
Contact local organic farming groups and, through them, organic farmers. (Keep in mind that organic farming groups are not advisory organisations. Usually there are no paid staff to solve your problem, nor is there money available for long telephone calls.) There are also some organic farming consultants.
Talk to conventional farmers nearby. Not everything a conventional farmer does involves chemicals. Find out how neighbours solve problems which are similar to your own problems. Older farmers may remember how the problem was solved before the advent of modern chemicals.
Agricultural colleges and TAFE colleges often run short courses or correspondence courses on organic farming.