Event caters for every major category of organic operator
Travelling across the water to a conference in Britain might not have been on your mind this January, but you could do far worse than attend the Institute of Organic Training and Advice’s three-day event, which starts next Wednesday, January 18, in Birmingham.
It is one of the most comprehensive and thought-provoking events of the year for the professional organic farmer or grower.
Every major category of organic operator will be catered for, serious and relevant topics discussed in detail, with ample time for networking, big picture debate and policy issues.
The balance between researchers, farmers and policy makers is also noteworthy. Starting Wednesday, the horticulture discussion featuring Ireland’s Jason Horner of Leen Organics deals with untapped horticultural markets or, as the subtitle suggests, what do you sell apart from the veg? Producers of flowers, eggs, Christmas trees and willow will make presentations.
The panel discussion on grass seed and variety issues will examine the balance between rules and availability. Are organic producers making the best use of available forage varieties, or is the issue that they are hampered in accessing the most appropriate varieties by organic regulation constraints to use 65% organic seed? All perspectives will be presented.
A similarly balanced debate should ensue in the discussion on feed rules changes. These rules are getting tighter for organic farmers all the time, as availability of certified organic feed increases. However, cost and other issues are involved.
Various categories of waste and their use in farming should be a fascinating discussion, because of the range of perspectives — biosolids, food waste in green waste compost, and separated human urine.
The fringe meetings feature some interesting topics — access to land for young producers (including a presentation from Reclaim the Fields); participatory research and development work; and homeopathy at wellie level.
There are sessions on supply chain sustainability, the rapid move towards community vegetable production, innovation in sustainable dairying, sheep health (with a particular focus on scab), as well as that always value-for-money debate, on corporate versus real organics.
Thursday sees discussion of nitrogen fertility for organic cereals, and what looks like a fascinating debate on functional biodiversity, to start the morning off. The latter will deal with how biodiversity on horticultural holdings can be used in control of pests and diseases, soil fertility management, and general system robustness. (Little did I know that there was an Earthworm Society of Britain!)
There is a session on dairy cow health, with an emphasis on feet. Benchmarking carbon emissions from extensive livestock systems, and a communications session on ads, apps and raps as the (possible) way forward also featured Thursday morning.
Tillage farmers are catered for with research results on non-inversion tillage in field-scale crop production, which will have input from farmers.
The Making Money from Milk session features unusual producers, such as David Finlay of Rainton Farm’s Cream O’Galloway ice cream business and visitor centre.
Beef and sheep farmers will be interested in the session on the cost price squeeze, featuring opportunities for reducing costs, price trends, and the role of producer marketing groups.
A session on best use of legumes will address current findings on legume mixtures for fertility building and ground cover, but also greater use of home-grown legumes in monogastric diets, and even in rations for fish.
The closing plenary meeting on global agro-ecology should lead to a rousing send-off Thursday afternoon.
For more details, contact Sean McGloin at 086-1728442 or the IOTA at 0044-1547528546.
