4. Organic vegetable production

Organic beef. Photo: Andy Monk
also be provided in mineral licks
and fodder mixes or by drenching.
Exceptions are made for potassiumbased
fertilisers.
The National Standard for Organic
and Biodynamic Produce requires
that all food for organic livestock
be produced organically—either
as purchased input or, preferably,
produced on the farm. Special
conditions exist in relation to
feeding supplements and rations
and feeding during drought. The
national standard and certifiers’
standards should be consulted in
this regard.
2.2.2 Soil management
for nutritious pastures
Slow, organic remediation of soils
through improved biological activity
provides balanced plant nutrition
and growth and hence improved
nutrition for livestock. The aim is to
build soil fertility through practices
such as incorporating green manure
and cultivating in such a way as to
improve soil aeration.
2.2.3 Breeding
In conventional livestock systems
the genetic emphasis is on high
production. The organic farmer
selects livestock for a wider range
of qualities, among them pest
(parasite) and disease tolerance or
resistance (for example, Brahman
tick tolerance) and mothering
ability. Breeding for lifetime yield
is more commonly the practice in
organic farming. While the aim of
conventional livestock production is
for high, early productivity, the aim
with organic livestock is to increase
the animals’ productive life, and this
is often associated with resistance
to disease (Boehncke 1990).
Developing longevity in the herd
offers a number of advantages:
• A long growth period means a
long youth, and a long immature
stage has been shown to be a
precondition for a longer life.
• The farmer has the opportunity
to get to know the herd, which
makes handling easier and
allows for a thorough knowledge
of the herd’s disease history.
• The herd establishes a stable
social order and a stable health
state.
• Stress factors become adapted to
conditions over a longer period.
• The quality and quantity of
colostrum in older cows is
greater.
Breeding should be within the
genetic capacity of the species
concerned. For example, breeding
for high feed conversion can lead
to arthritis and breeding for large
hindquarters can lead to birthing
difficulties.
During conversion to organic
production, livestock bought
externally must be organic or, if
conventional, placed in a quarantine
area for three weeks. Once the farm
is fully organic, external purchases
are confined to breeding stock only:
all other livestock should be bred on
the property. Replacement breeders
may be introduced at an annual rate
of 10–20 per cent (depending on
the certification organisation) of the
existing breeding stock. A limited
provision does, however, exist in
the standards for taking on agisted
stock.
Livestock produced by artificial
insemination are allowed by most
certification organisations if natural
behaviour is not practical or new
genetic material is required. Embryo
transplant is not permitted since
this technique usually necessitates
hormone injection to synchronise
breeding cycles and tends to lead
to decreased diversity in the herd.
Livestock produced using genetic
engineering are not permitted.
2.2.4 Livestock welfare
Organic farmers aim to minimise
physical and psychological stress
in their livestock in order to
promote wellbeing and reduce the
incidence of disease. Having nonstressed
livestock also helps reduce
veterinary bills and maintain meat
tenderness.
The national standard states,
‘Livestock husbandry practices
that reflect the behavioural needs
and ethical treatment and welfare
management of livestock are also
of fundamental importance where
animals are kept on the farm’ and,
in relation to stress caused by
practices such as castrating, marking
and mulesing, ‘Pain inflicted by
surgical treatments must be kept
to a minimum level and duration’.
For example, NASAA prohibits
practices such as de‐tailing of
cows, although de‐horning and
castration are allowed when carried
out as humanely as possible and
within specific age limits. Use of
anaesthetics is permitted: it does