Managing the conversion process successfully Pat Barry & Brendan Swan

1. Managing the conversion process successfully Pat Barry & Brendan Swan

2. Need for conversion planning • Components of a conversion plan • Future Management Practises • Provision of quality forage • Maintenance of soil fertility • Animal health plan • Problems encountered during conversion

3. Need for conversion planning • Satisfy organic certification body • Detail changes on farm to become compliant with organic standards • Roadmap through the conversion process

4. Components of Conversion Plan • Current management practises • Organic Vision • Future management practises

5. Future Management Practises - Forage • Maximum use of grazed grass • Introduction of clover into pastures • Produce good quality silage • Regular topping

6. Future Management Practises – Soil Fertility • Balance inputs and off-takes • Efficient nutrient recycling • Regular soil analysis to identify deficiencies • Role of short term leys & legumes

7. Future Management PractisesAnimal Health • Not simply an absence of disease but a high level of vigour & vitality • Positive approach to livestock husbandry • The ideal situation: mixed farm based on ley/arable rotations • Preventative health strategies

8. Problems encountered during conversion period • Insufficient fodder • Animal disease issues • Poor manure management • Failure to seek permission from OCB for restricted practises • Inadequate record keeping

9. REMEMBER If you fail to plan – you plan to fail!!!! THANK YOU