B R E A K I N G N E W S - Scottish Organic Producers Association

GB-ORG-03
Scottish Organic Producers Association
organicnews
March 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Certification Corner 2
General News 3
Scottish News 4
Scottish Organic Meat Market 5
OMF Meeting Report 6-9
Organic Seed Grass Management 10
Diary and Classifieds 12
B R E A K I N G N E W S
Land Managers Options - new grant support for organic maintenance
We are delighted to report that our proposal to the EU for LMO Organic Maintenance
has been approved.
Scottish Organic farmers are set to benefit from the introduction of a new ‘Maintenance of Organic Farming’ option under Land
Managers Options (LMO), part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme. Available from the 2011 scheme year, the new
option will help to secure the benefits of organic production, including biodiversity, pollution control, energy efficiency and soil
protection.
The support will consist of annual hectarage payments, over five years, for land managers who continue to farm organically and
maintain organic certification throughout the five-year period of the agreement. The level of payment will vary according to the type
of land involved, whether arable land, improved grassland, unimproved grassland, or land in fruit and vegetable production.
LMO applications must be submitted by 16 May 2011. More information about the option will be available from 15 March 2011
at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP/Land-Managers-Options.
Support for conversion to and maintenance of organic farming will continue to be available under Rural Priorities. Visit
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP/RuralPriorities/Options/conandmainoforganicfarmin for more information.
Call me on 0773322 8701 if you wish to discuss your individual situation.
Debs

CERTIFICATION CORNER
Attention Fruit Growers
The compound Potassium permanganate
has been withdrawn as an approved Plant
Protection Product (PPP). Potassium
permanganate, also known as Condy’s
crystals, was traditionally used to treat
fungal attacks in fruit trees, as well as a
water steriliser and all-round anti-fungal
wash.
The European Food Standards Agency reviewed
the approvals for PPP’s and there was no support
from Member States to retain the approval for
Potassium Permanganate. So it has been officially
withdrawn as of 31st March 2010.
NON-COMPLIANCES
The final 2010 certification statistics have been compiled and the most common non-compliance is once
again missing non-organic seed derogation forms. In the first half of 2010 the most common
non-compliance was not having organic certificates for purchased organic feeds, which had knocked seed
derogations off the top of the list in 2009. We continue to strive for fewer non-compliances and want
to see more members achieve no non-compliances at annual audit. Non-compliances cost you time and
money as you have to write into the office with corrective action within 30 days and your certificate will
be delayed.
Where do you fit in?
67% of SOPA members have a clean sheet i.e. no non-compliances at their organic audit.
There are currently 59 members who have outstanding non-compliances – are you one of them?
Despite the fact that it remains on the list of
permitted plant protection products as a fungicide
and bactericide for fruit trees, olive trees and vines,
in Annex II of the organic regulations (889/2008),
it may not be used. SOPA standards will shortly be
amended to reflect this change.
Thank you Tony
After more than a decade as an organic
inspector for SOPA, we are sad to hear that Tony
Clay is retiring this year. Tony has seen a fair
number of the SOPA membership throughout his
time, concentrating mostly in the Borders and in
the north of England. We wish Tony all the best
and thank him for his efforts over the years.
SFQC have a new organic inspector who will be
endeavouring to fill Tony’s boots in the Borders.
Maggie Magee has been working for SFQC on a
number of different projects for more than a year
whilst undergoing assessor training and
accreditation. Several SOPA members will already
have met Maggie either through SRDP work or as
facilitator at Mains of Thornton the new monitor
farm. Maggie will be using her organic qualifications
to pick up where Tony has left off and we welcome
her to the Organic Assessor team.
JOBS TO DO NOW
Seek organic seed availability at
www.organicxseeds.com
(Call Lorna in the office on 0131 335 6606
if you do not have web access)
Obtain non-organic seed derogation
forms for grass seed mixes and spring
seed (grain, pulses and vegetables)
before purchase
Download derogation forms from the
SOPA website
www.sopa.org.uk/members.php
Email info@sopa.org.uk if you need
to reset your access to the members
section of the website
Top Ten Non-compliances raised for Assessment year 2010 (01/01/10 – 31/12/10)
SOPA Standard description:
2.5.2 – Use of non-organic seed without prior derogation approval
3.6.3 – Livestock management/health plan requires revision/approval
2.5.1 – No documentation available to confirm organic status of organic seed purchased/sown
3.6.5 – Vet/med treatment records not properly recorded e.g. withdrawal dates
2.5.3 – No derogation in place for 35% (by weight) non-organic portion of grass/forage mix
3.5.1 - No documentation available to confirm organic status of feedstuffs purchased
2.4.3 – Prior approval not obtained prior to grazing non-organic stock on organic land
3.2.2 – No documentation available to confirm organic/converted breeding stock status of livestock
purchased. (linked to 3.2.5)
3.2.5 - Prior approval not obtained prior to purchase of non-organic replacement female breeding stock
4.4.1 - Prior approval not obtained prior to the use of permitted but restricted mineral fertilisers or
supplementary nutrients as field inputs.
Wholesaler Certificates
Producers should only be sourcing seed, feeding etc from an organically certified
wholesaler. Wholesaler Certificates are required to demonstrate that inputs are audited.
Certificates are also required if buying inputs direct from the manufacturer. When
purchasing inputs, if your wholesale cannot provide an approved certificate advise them
to call the SOPA office.
2

GENERAL NEWS
Choosing
organic milk
could offset
effects of climate change
Wetter, cooler summers can have
a detrimental effect on the milk we
drink, according to new research
published by Newcastle University.
Researchers found milk collected during a
particularly poor UK summer and the
following winter had significantly higher saturated
fat content and far less beneficial fatty acids than in
a more ‘normal’ year.
But they also discovered that switching to organic
milk could help overcome these problems.
Organic supermarket milk showed higher levels of
nutritionally beneficial fatty acids compared with
‘ordinary’ milk regardless of the time of year or
weather conditions.
The study, which was published in the Journal of
Dairy Science (January 2011), leads on from
previous research undertaken nearly three years
ago which looked at the difference between
organic and conventional milk at its source – on
the farms.
“We wanted to check if what we found on farms
also applies to milk available in the shops,” said
Gillian Butler, who led the study. “Surprisingly, the
differences between organic and conventional milk
were even more marked. Whereas on the farms
the benefits of organic milk were proven in the
summer but not the winter, in the supermarkets it
is significantly better quality year round.”
There was also greater consistency between
organic suppliers, where the conventional milk
brands were of variable quality.
“We were surprised to see obvious differences
between the conventional brands, with the more
expensive ones not necessarily better,” said Mrs
Butler. “Some brands - which promote their
suppliers as wholesome and grazing on fresh
pastures - actually sold milk that appeared to be
from very intensive farms.”
Low levels of omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty
acids were discovered in some of these brands,
which are indicative of a diet low in fresh grass.
These samples also showed evidence of the cows
being supplemented with a saturated fat product
derived from palm oil.
Mrs Butler puts the differences down to a lower
reliance on grazing and fertiliser suppressing clover
on conventional farms. “The results suggest greater
uniformity of feeding practice on farms supplying
organic milk since there were no brands which
differed consistently in fat composition,” she said.
“This implies a fairly uniform approach to feeding
practised across these suppliers.”
Organic dairying standards prescribe a reliance
on forage, especially grazing, and, in the absence of
nitrogen fertiliser, tend to encourage swards of red
and white clover, which have been shown to alter
the fatty acid intake and composition of milk.
While protein, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and
some mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk
are considered beneficial, saturated fatty acids are
believed to have a negative effect on human health.
“We’re always being told to cut down on the
saturated fat we consume and switching to organic
milk and dairy products provides a natural way to
increase our intake of nutritionally desirable fatty
acids, vitamins and antioxidants without increasing
our intake of less desirable fatty acids,” said Mrs
Butler.
“By choosing organic milk you can cut saturated
fats by 30-50 percent and still get the same intake
of beneficial fatty acids, as the omega-3 levels are
higher but omega-6 is not, which helps to improve
the crucial ratio between the two.”
While undertaking their research into the
differences between organic and conventional milk,
the researchers discovered the surprising link
between milk quality and our changing climate.
Their results suggest that if we continue to have
wetter, cooler summers then farmers may have to
rethink their current dairy practices.
There was a considerable difference between the
milk bought in the first sampling period (July 2006
and January 2007) and corresponding times a year
later. The second set of samples, following a
particularly wet summer in 2007, was higher in
saturated fat and lower in beneficial fatty acids.
“We didn’t expect to find differences between the
sampling periods,” said Mrs Butler. “But this is likely
to be down to the impact of the weather on
availability and quality of forage.”
In North East England, for example, the
summer of 2007 was particularly wet,
with approximately 30 per cent higher
recorded rainfall and 12 per cent lower
temperatures compared with 2006.
“These conditions may affect the cows’
behaviour, reducing grazing intake and
milk output,” said Mrs Butler. “Farmers
also often increase supplementation
with concentrated feeds or conserved
forage to maintain milk yields in these
conditions.”
During the region’s main silage
making period (late May until the end of
July) rainfall in 2007 was three times higher
than the previous year, which also made for
poorer quality silage and therefore the need for
greater supplementation to compensate in winter
diets.
“If these weather patterns continue, both forage
and dairy management will have to adapt to
maintain current milk quality,” said Mrs Butler. “The
higher levels of beneficial fats in organic milk would
more than compensate for the depression brought
about by relatively poor weather conditions in the
wet year.”
The researchers, who are part of the University’s
Nafferton Ecological Farming Group and its
Human Nutrition Centre, looked at the quality of
milk in supermarkets across North East England at
varying times of year over a two-year period.
They concluded that organic brands of milk
available in supermarkets are higher in beneficial
fatty acids such as CLA and omega-3 fatty acids in
summer (as in their previous research) and winter
(where previous research showed that the
difference in the winter was not as noticeable).
3

SCOTTISH NEWS
£148,000 grant to boost organic cheese
This month SOPA members T Lochhead & Sons have secured a FPMC (Food Processing
Marketing and Co-operation) grant towards the construction of a cheese
manufacturing plant at Beyond the Burn farm near Dumfries. The facility will consist of a
milk storage area , production area, maturing room, and packaging and dispatch room. As
well as these areas there is also an office , mess room and a viewing area overlooking the
production area. The new facility will be constructed on a green field site adjacent to a
proposed new dairy unit for which SRDP funding is being sought.
This is a new venture for the Lochhead family
who have been dairy farming at Beyond the Burn
farm since 1920 and fully organic since 2001, with
the milk being sold wholesale through OMSCo.
There are two main reasons for moving to cheese
production. The first is to add value to the milk
produced at Beyond the Burn. The second is that
the Lochheads have a herd of Brown Swiss cows.
This breed of cattle provide milk which is ideal for
cheese making due to the high percentage, and
type, of protein within the milk.
Following market research it was decided to
produce a cheddar cheese and a range of
continental cheeses based on the mountain
cheeses found in the Alpine regions of Europe.
The mountain cheese is a semi-hard cheese and
it is normally Brown Swiss milk that is used in its
production. All these cheeses will be organic and
unique to Scotland.
Jonathan Lochhead, who is chairman of
the Brown Swiss Society in the UK, will take full
control of the farming operations, while his father
Gavin will be in charge of the cheese making side
of the business.
The Lochheads would like to thank SOPA,
SAC Food & Drink Aberdeen, Dumfries planning
office, and the local community of Mouswald for
their help in securing this funding.
Jonathan Lochhead with 2010 National Brown Swiss Champion (Kedar Becks Alice) at
Nantwhich Show.
The
essential event
for speciality
food and
drink buyers
Part of
3-4 April 2011 Olympia | London
See 1000’s of unique and
delicious new products you
won’t find anywhere else!
The Natural Food Show at Natural & Organic Products Europe is
the essential industry event for 1000’s of speciality food buyers
looking to source a sumptuous selection of natural, organic,
Fairtrade, sustainable, free-from, vegetarian, local, biodynamic,
raw, artisan, ethical, vegan, fresh and healthy food and drink
products for their customers.
1
Stay ahead of the competition and be the first to stock
the very latest bestselling products
2
3
4
Enjoy £1000’s of exclusive savings with our famous
show only offers
Make important new contacts and strengthen your
existing relationships
Enjoy fabulous foodie features, including live cooking
demos in the new Natural Food Kitchen, the Fairtrade Trail,
the Vegetarian Trail, the many international pavilions, the
Soil Association Organic Marketplace, plus new pavilions
from FoodLovers Britain and the Organic Trade Board
4
Save £20 – register FREE online at www.naturalproducts.co.uk

SCOTTISH ORGANIC MEAT MARKET
Organic Red Meat Overview
The market
Prices for Organic produce over the last six
months have held up well in comparison with
conventionally bred stock. It has been particularly
pleasing to report that we have been able to move
both prime and store stock quickly and at a useful
premium for the producer. In general terms the
Beef price has shown an 8.7% Premium and the
Lamb premium has been in the region of 5%. Cows
however command a bonus of 40p per kg if they
meet the tight spec required.
Quality pays
Quality issues have become more apparent lately
with very lean dairy cows the worst offenders.
What we are all striving for in this niche market is
a premium product at premium prices. Poor
quality carcasses cost the farmer money and harm
the reputation of quality organic meat. The
bottom end of the dairy cows would be better
sold to specialised boning processors for export.
We can do this for you.
Organic lamb
Over the last season the processors we supply
have been very pleased with the quality of lambs
we have sent them. With the price for Organic
lamb being good all season, farmers have marketed
them at the right weight and fat cover, and have
been rewarded with better grades, and ultimately a
higher price.
Organic Stores
Organic stores both cattle and sheep have been
easy to sell all season and many more could have
been sold to the seller’s advantage. However in
a small number of cases we have had to pass on
them due to the expense of transport.
Sharing haulage
Here lies an opportunity for producers in more
isolated areas to group together and offer for sale
larger batches, with likelihood higher prices
achievable. Working together is one of the key
benefits of being a member of Caledonian
Organics. Co-operation is a popular buzz word
these days and sharing haulage is an easy way to
reduce costs (fuel costs as well as carbon
footprint). This asks the question: do you know
who your organic neighbours are? By
communicating with Farm Stock Scotland Ltd and
your fellow CalOrg members we can map when
animals are going to be sold and co-ordinate
haulage to save you money and improve your
return.
Contact David Marshall
07808 329 719
Or Marjory Tennant
01750 72 33 66
Update on Caledonian Organics
The CalOrg Board are very pleased with the
procurement contract with Farm Stock Scotland
Ltd. David and Marjory run a highly professional
service and certainly have their finger on the
pulse in the red meat sector. Loyal CalOrg
members will be enjoying the convenience of a
simple phone call to book in stock and the swift
payment. And Farm Stock protect the CalOrg
members by fighting for processor bookings and
negotiating better prices. The organic premium
has restored with top prices of 315ppkgdw for
R4L cattle and lamb prices topping at 430ppkgdw
for R3L.
The CalOrg Board are embarking on a strategic review of the
co-op. We have just celebrated our 6th anniversary and we feel it
is time to revisit our aims and objectives and set new targets for
the organisation. Member feedback is welcome so if you wish to
communicate your views please contact one of the Directors (see
right hand side).
Co-operation is about trust and working together,
and this chimes with the organic Principle of
Fairness which is about relationships based on
equity, respect, justice and stewardship. In the
current organic red meat climate there remain
market challenges as we face potential reduction of
supply. By sharing market intelligence we can
optimise the opportunities for a slick supply chain
and better returns.
Ross Paton (Chair) 07967 273 181
Andrew Lorrain-Smith (Vice Chair) 07775 692 146
David Finlay 07704 535 395
Jeremy Sharman 07866 181 225
Debs Roberts 077 33 22 8701
Ken Cooper 07734 702 579
Or email contact@caledonianorganics.co.uk
5

SCOTTISH NEWS
6

SCOTTISH NEWS
Organic Monitor Farm meeting at Mains of Thornton
14th January 2011
CONTENTS
1 Farm Enterprises
a) General summary
b) Cattle
c) Sheep
2 Whole Farm Review summary
3 Baseline Analysis - soil and forage
4 Discussion Topics
5 Diary Dates
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Richard Huxtable, SAC, Robert
Gilchrist, Keenan UK Ltd and Ross Williams,
Norvite for their contribution to the discussions
and to Norvite for the sponsorship of lunch.
Next Meeting 10th March 2011
All welcome. Please text your name
to 0773322 8701 for catering
purposes.
We will be discussing the Feburary
lambing and feed conversion rates for
the youngstock in the Roundhouse
TOP TIP
Roof-top rain harvesting off the
roundhouse for cattle drinking
water
• Gravity fed
• Usefully recycles water
• No time wasted defrosting pipes in
December’s big freeze
1. Farm Enterprises
Brothers Kenneth and Leslie Cooper with sons Mark and Murray respectively and two employees are responsible for carrying out
the day to day farm work. Kenneth summarised the farm enterprises.
1a) General features
• The farm went into organic conversion in 2006.
• Total area of 360ha (890 acres) in a 4-5 year rotation.
• Produce all own crops for livestock feed
CROP TYPE
AREA
ha acres
Grassland - rotational 210 520
- permanent 16 40
Arable - Spring barley 50 124
- Spring oats 4 10
- Fodder rape/
stubble turnips
20 50
7

SCOTTISH NEWS
• Breeding cattle and sheep all progeny taken through to finishing
• 60ha woodland, mainly new planting in 2008-09.
FUTURE DISCUSSION POINTS:
• Optimising soil fertility through the rotation
• Grassland management
• Cropping plan and weed control
• Agri-environmental schemes
• Renewable energy
1b) Cattle – all organic
• Mainly Angus and Limousin x cows to Angus and black Limousin bulls
• Currently 102 cows; 34 breeding heifers; Spring calving
• The herd is BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) Accredited and Johne’s Monitored under the SAC Premium Cattle Health Scheme
• New Roundhouse home to 135 growing and finishing cattle of which 50
were bought-in stores.
• Housed cattle on Keenan TMR of silage/barley/soya/straw.
• All homegrown cereals fed.
• Straw added to slow down rate of passage and allow rumen to work better – aiming to see improved feed conversion. Can monitor
using new handling facilities and weigh crate.
The Roundhouse John Allinson of Roundhouse building supplier S and Buildings described the benefits of the building.
• Completed November 2010
• £55K for basic shed, £33K for interior fixtures including cattle handling
system, totalling £130K after ground works
• Main reason for this choice of building
– improved ventilation and reducing incidence of pneumonia and so promoting animal welfare in line with organic values
– ease of feeding and mucking out.
– inbuilt handling system for less stressful cattle handling, better staff safety and regular weighing
• Initial benefits noted
- lower operational costs – Kenneth reports a third reduction in bedding costs possibly due to improved airflow keeping bedding drier
- water system using harvested roof rainwater didn’t freeze even at -15ºC so no labour needed to thaw out pipes
FUTURE DISCUSSION POINTS:
• Replacement bull required in near future– decision to be made on choice of breed.
• Feed rations mix
• Feed conversion efficiencies
• Straw bedding costs
1c) Sheep – all organic
• Breeding flock of 700 ewes and around 350 ewe lambs
• Mixed breeds, mainly Charollais crosses amongst younger stock with some older Texel crosses.
• Trialling Rissington Highlander tups
• Lambing in blocks with older ewes in early February, a break through March and with main lambing starting April ending with the ewe
lambs.
• First group scanned at 176% ; later ewes 175%; gimmers 155%.
• Last year no ram lambs castrated. Careful batching and timely weaning of lambs required
• Bought in 1005 store lambs to make use of 350 organic acres rented winter grazing.
• Looked at some fattening lambs ready to go, housed in polytunnel. Aim for carcase weights 20-21.5kg. Sold through McIntosh Donald
8
FUTURE DISCUSSION POINTS:
• Breeding policy
• Lambing periods
• Improving lambing %s and survival rates
• Buying in of store lambs and winter grazing – economics and labour

SCOTTISH NEWS
2. Whole Farm Review
The review was prepared by Richard Huxtable and David Michie, SAC, Thainstone. Richard presented a summary of the review.
• Financial figures hold up well against averages but still room forimprovement.
• Reminder that data used as comparisons not just organic farms but hope to extract this information from data in near future
• Aims are maintaining a profitable business to pass on to the next generation and adhere to good farming practices with regards to the
environment
2009 2010 TARGET FAS TOP 25%
Output 100 100 100 100
Variable costs 26 25 30-40 43
Gross margin 74 75 60-70 57
Fixed costs 49 37

ORGANIC GRASS SEED MANAGEMENT
Buying Organic Seed Mixes In 2011
High stocks of grass seed throughout Europe have kept grass seed prices at the farm gate relatively
stable for several years but all of that is about to change with organically produced seed being in
short supply.
A big reduction in the 2010 grass seed harvest area, partly due to the attraction of high cereal prices,
coupled with buoyant consumption during 2010 has reduced stocks to the point where some types of
grass seed might not be available.
Faced with a general tightening of supply, stakeholders in the organic seed industry and certifiers met
a number of times in 2010 to discuss ways of helping farmers obtain organic grass seed in 2011. It was
jointly decided that the 65% organic content in mixtures should remain in place for another year
instead of increasing when there is insufficient seed available. Whilst the trade is confident that this can
be achieved, they are less confident about the supply of UK recommended varieties. Some mixes may
comprise some non-recommended varieties simply because of limited availability.
As the supply of organic Perennial Ryegrass is reasonable few problems are expected in medium to long
term mixtures but with organic Hybrid Ryegrass virtually impossible to find, shorter term Red Clover
mixtures may be more difficult. In this situation it is likely that the organic percentage will need to be
achieved with a combination of organically produced Red Clover, Italian Ryegrass and Tetraploid
Perennial Ryegrass with conventional Hybrid Ryegrass forming the balance of the mix.
Unfortunately from the farmer’s point of view, the reduced organic supply will have an inevitable effect
on price with mixtures breaking the £5 per kg barrier for the first time but with feed prices rocketing,
investment in a good grass mixture is set to become more important than ever.
Advice is to look carefully at how much grass seed you need to buy. If there is a strong, productive
sward due to be ploughed, perhaps look at the rotation to see if cereals can be grown elsewhere.
Consider stitching in or oversowing where existing swards can be improved with clovers for silage
rather than ploughed up. As always, quality silage production is really important as high protein
fodder can replace concentrates for stores and pregnant ewes. Organic farmers have done very well
with silage competitions throughout Scotland in 2010 so it is possible to produce high quality fodder
without fertiliser inputs.
Remedying Winter Kill
Many 2010 silage crops suffered in yield due to the winter kill caused by severe conditions last
winter. Scottish Seed Trade Association are warning that similar problems may occur this
summer as the 2010/2011 winter has been similarly harsh.
Making your grassland more productive may require ploughing and a full reseed however there are
many circumstances where over-seeding an existing sward can be very effective in recovering grass
swards from winter kill. The two main objectives when over-seeding into an existing sward are
• Introduce dominant species, such as ryegrass, within a mixture
• Establish good clover content
Peter Shipway, SAC grassland specialist at Craibstone addressed the Scottish Seed Trade Association
after the 2010 winter and reiterated the fact that “grass is the cheapest feed for ruminant livestock
and it pays to maximize its production and the proportion of grass in the ruminant’s diet”.
He also pointed out that “over the last 20 years there has been a 10% improvement in yield through
the introduction of modern grass varieties. The improvements in early spring and late autumn growth
have been particularly significant – equivalent to 2t/ha and 0.75t/ha of fresh grass respectively”. This
has created opportunities to extend the grazing season.
In terms of digestibility (D-value) young grass swards generally exhibit better quality than those with
a high component of secondary species. Just one unit of improvement in D-value has a profound
impact on animal performance with milk yields increasing by up to 0.3l/day and liveweight gain in
cattle and sheep by 40g and 20g/day respectively. Some of the newer ryegrass varieties show
improvements in quality equivalent to 3 to 5 units of D-value. Taking these improvements in quality
with those in yield, it is not surprising to discover that there is potential to increase animal
production by 20% using leys sown with modern varieties.
10
When a decision is taken to oversow, the soil pH (needs to be 6-6.5) P and K levels (not low,
moderate is ideal) should be identified and remedied if necessary. Heavy grazing in the autumn and
spring prior to overseeding will open up the sward to allow seeds to fall to the topsoil. At least one
pass with a heavy harrow is necessary to create a tilth before oversowing. Late March to mid April is
an ideal time, when soil moisture and warmth can encourage good germination. Finally, field
operations should finish with rolling the soil to give good contact between seed and soil. Stock can
be given access for 2-3 weeks to trample seed in, but then removed over the summer growing period
to ensure the oversow has time to establish in case grazing mouths cause damage to the young plants.

CLASSIFIEDS
DIARY DATES
FOR SALE
• For Sale in Moray Purpose Built, Pre-fabricated
BUTCHERY UNIT Fully equipped with cold
room; hanging rails; mincer; sausage maker;
vacuum packer; automatic weighing and
labelling machine; stainless steel sinks and
tables etc. All in first class condition. Can be
easily transported. Telephone 07879464014
• 100 bales of organic wheat straw for sale.
Contact Hugh Gillan, SOPA 927, nr St Andrews
on 07974 781 770
• Organic barley. Optic. 4t approx. Can be put
into big bags for haulage if required. Ph 07703
528100
• Organic hay. 12%protein in Small bales. or large
cobs for sheep. 12% protein ph 07703 528100
• Organic Oats and straw for sale, Call Andy
Cadzow (SOPA 901) on mob 07768 938 470
• approx 300 bales of first cut organic silage for
sale, nr Laurencekirk. Choice of red or white
clover silages, cut in good conditions and nicely
made. Contact Bill Johnson, Medlock and
Medlock SOPA 171. Mobile 07771 733 016
Hurrells continue to offer personalized service
Hurrells
and advice
continue to offer
to
personalized
organic
service
farmers.
and advice to
65%
organic
Organic
farmers. 65%
Organic grass seed mixes are available but going quickly. Call Nick Gladstone or any of
the grass Hurrells seed team on mixes 01377 271 400 are available but going quickly.
Call Nick Gladstone or any of the Hurrells team
on 01377 271 400
12
This newsletter is published by
Scottish Organic Producers
Association, SFQC, Royal Highland
Centre,
10th Avenue, Ingliston, EH28 8NF
Tel 0131 335 6606 Fax 0131 335 6601
www.sopa.org.uk info@sopa.org.uk
SOPA CONTACTS
Jane Ellis, Senior Manager (Technical, SOPA
Scheme and Certification) Tel 0131 335 6606
jane.ellis@sfqc.co.uk
Deborah Roberts, Development Manager
Tel 0131 335 6619 or 0773322 8701
deborah.roberts@sfqc.co.uk
Joanna Sinclair, Certification Officer
Tel 0131 335 6606
joanna.sinclair@sfqc.co.uk
Lorna Paton, Scheme Administrator
Tel 0131 335 6606
lorna.paton@sfqc.co.uk
General Enquiries can also be directed to
info@sopa.org.uk
WANTED
• United Auctions require all classes of organic
prime & store cattle & sheep on a daily basis
to satisfy customer demand.
Contact: Douglas Guild 07764464371 or
George Purves 07740877699
• organic In calf or in milk dairy cows.
Friesian or Ayrshire preferred. McHarg,
Kirkland, Stranraer tel 07515 264 094
• Organic Hay or Silage! Perthshire. 07786
381396
• 45 Organic store cattle, any breed considered
around 460 kg. Contact David Marshall, Farm
Stock Scotland for Caleonian Organics 07808
329 719
• Norton Organic Grain Ltd are seeking
organic cereals in full loads for UK-wide
buyers. Now is the time to market your
grain before the end of the winter and spring
feeding peak. Contact Norton Organic Grain
Ltd on 01787 210 899 or email
simon.tubbs@nortonorganic.co.uk
GARDEN ORGANIC TRAINING
WORKSHOPS
7th March 2011
Novel Vegetable Crops
This workshop will explore the potential of
growing exotic vegetables for new markets.
Technical production issues will be covered, plus
how to access the market.
at RYTON GARDENS near COVENTRY
21 March 2011
DIARY DATES
Non-chemical weed management for
vegetable production
This day will look at the cultural, mechanical and
physical options, to reduce chemical and labour
costs in vegetable and row-crop production.
Hosted by Arrow Organic Vegetables Ltd at
Pembridge in Herefordshire.
There is a £40+VAT charge for both of these
workshops.
Contact Phil Sumption 024 7621 7744
psumption@gardenorganic.org.uk
The Natural Food Show AT Natural &
Organic Products Europe 2011
3 – 4 April 2011, Olympia, London
FREE REGISTRATION –
Visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk
IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF
ORGANIC FARMING THROUGH INPUTS :
SOIL NUTRIENT SUPPLY FOR ORGANIC
VEGETABLES
SOPA members are welcome to attend.
2pm-5pm on Tuesday 15th March in the
Galileo Room at Scone Racecourse, Perth,
PH2 6BB.
A SOPA Member seminar looking at approved
inputs and how to protect against deficiencies of
potash, phosphate and micronutrients too. SOPA is
pleased to introduce Mark Law from Laws
Fertilisers who will lead the discusssion and offers
all attendants a free crop nutrient proposal
including up to 5 free soil samples or 1 tissue
analysis.
This seminar is particularly suited to veg growers
and we have selected Perth as a central venue to
make travel easier, and on this date to help you plan
your nutrient management early in the season.
Please indicate your attendance by emailing Debs
on deborah.roberts@sfqc.co.uk or
mobile 077 33 22 8701
Nourish Annual Conference 2011
11th & 12th March Pearce Institute Glasgow
The Nourish Scotland Annual Conference 2011
will bring together parties interested in Local Food
from all over the UK for Wonderful Workshops,
Spectacular Speakers, Luscious Local Food and a
Cracking Ceilidh!
Tickets Weekend Tickets cost £25 concession,
£50 for individuals and £100 for Funded
Organisations. Individual Day and Ceilidh Tickets
are also available. To buy your tickets please go to
http://nourishconference2011.eventbrite.
com
If you cannot afford to pay for a ticket for the
Nourish Conference, please contact Lisa at
sportiva@aol.com for information on our
Hardship Fund.
10th March, Mains of Thornton Monitor Farm
15th March, SOPA member seminar on
Nutrient Supply in Organic Vegetable Production,
Scone Racecourse Perth
21st April, United Auctions Organic Sheep and
Cattle Sale at HUNTLY MART. Telephone Douglas
Guild on mobile 07764 464 371
1st June, NBA Scotland Beef Event 2011 - SOPA
will be at Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers
15th June, SOPA AGM & Member Gathering
16th June, Mains of Thornton Monitor Farm
6th October, United Auctions Organic Sheep
and Cattle Sale at HUNTLY MART. Telephone
Douglas Guild on mobile 07764 464 371
3rd November, Mains of Thornton Monitor
Farm
Scottish Food Quality Certificatio n (SFQ C) and SOPA
has m ade ever y effort t o ensur e t hat t he inform ation cont ained in t his Newsletter is accur at e. No legal r esponsibilit y is acce pt ed for err or s,
om issions or m isleading st atem ent s in t hat inform ation caused by neglige nce or ot her wise. No r esponsibilit y is accept ed in r egar d t o t he
st anding of any firm s, com panies or indivi duals m ent ioned i n t his Newsletter .
PRINTED ON CHLORINE-FREE RECYCLABLE PAPER FROM SUSTAINABLE WOOD FORESTS AND MANUFACTURED TO ISO9001 AND ISO14001