Supported by the government's sustainable farming incentive scheme, a north-west England hill operation has launched a formal two-year transition with the Soil Association. This shift seeks to eliminate chemical interventions while bolstering soil biology and local biodiversity. The transition is particularly notable because the surrounding region currently accounts for just 2.4% of the United Kingdom's total organic land. Although the beef heading to the farm shop for Christmas will lack certification, future yields are slated to carry full organic status once the two-year period concludes.
Key points
Government incentives are helping hill farms overcome historical grazing hurdles to trans…: Government incentives are helping hill farms overcome historical grazing hurdles to transition toward certified organic production.
Farmers must source certified organic trees for planting unless they receive a specific r…: Farmers must source certified organic trees for planting unless they receive a specific regulatory exemption.
The property intends to market its beef, lamb, and pork directly to local consumers once…: The property intends to market its beef, lamb, and pork directly to local consumers once full certification is granted.
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From 1 November we have change happening on our farm. We have decided to become an organic farm and have started the two-year conversion process with the Soil Association. We’ve always run the farm on organic principles, but now, with our small shop selling our beef, lamb and pork, we’ve decided that we will convert, prioritising soil health and biodiversity without the use of chemicals.
It has historically been tricky for hill farms to go organic because many are on commons with shared grazing and no physical boundaries between “hefts”, and with shared routes to and from the fell. Now the certifiers are keen to be flexible and adapt, so we have decided to give it a go. The process is funded by the government’s sustainable farming incentive scheme, which we were lucky to get into this year as so many farmers missed out.
Practically it will mean more record-keeping, vet permission needed for dipping sheep and longer withdrawal periods on many medicines. When we plant trees, we will need to source organic trees, or ask for a derogation if…
Rising floodwaters triggered by the expanding climate pattern have submerged grazing pastures across agricultural regions. Agricultural producers are deploying watercraft to transport their livestock to higher ground to safeguard the herds. The ongoing emergency operations demonstrate the immediate operational disruptions facing local rural producers as pastures disappear beneath moving waters.
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