Three-year organic conversion is a success on IGER dairy unit

摘要

The conversion of Ty Gwyn Farm from traditional to organic husbandry has been studied, along with 10 other farms, to form the basis of a blueprint for other would-be organic farmers. Shirley Macmillan visited the unit to find out how the change has affected herd performance. In just three years, IGER has successfully converted its 63ha Ty Gwyn dairy unit to organic management and now earns a Ippl premium for its milk In spite of a 'kamikaze approach' and falling into many pitfalls along the way, yields and milk quality have steadily risen, says project leader Professor Roger Haggar Cow health, forage production and stocking rates have also improved. "Preliminary results are not discouraging although it is difficult to pick up trends in only three years," he says. "We were on a high learning curve from the start."