Organic Dairying

BigSteaks

Got 3 days off work due to weather (dont tell wrangler), so watching a bit of netflix and series called Rotten. Its average. Episode 5 is interesting and focuses on dairy in states.

Seems they are really struggling and a lot selling up. However there are a few gone into organic and seem to be nearly doubling profits. Demand really increasing.

Anyone in organic milk here or considering it? Or is there a need with things booming here.

wrangler

BigSteaks wrote: »

Got 3 days off work due to weather (dont tell wrangler), so watching a bit of netflix and series called Rotten. Its average. Episode 5 is interesting and focuses on dairy in states.

Seems they are really struggling and a lot selling up. However there are a few gone into organic and seem to be nearly doubling profits. Demand really increasing.

Anyone in organic milk here or considering it? Or is there a need with things booming here.

Don't worry I noted it this morning, particularily among the PS workers that gave me all the hassle last weekend, Neighbour had to go 30 mls with a trailer for 2 ton sheep ration after the merchant let him down, yet he past through a town at ten miles that some couldn't get to work in.
Great little country
PS. Had a duvet day today myself too so can't very well complain

BigSteaks

wrangler wrote: »

Don't worry I noted it this morning, particularily among the PS workers that gave me all the hassle last weekend, Neighbour had to go 30 mls with a trailer for 2 ton sheep ration after the merchant let him down, yet he past through a town at ten miles that some couldn't get to work in.
Great little country
PS. Had a duvet day today myself too so can't very well complain

Couldn't believe my luck this morning, less than half an inch of snow. Friday is fair enough, jesus today and tomor is a gift. Wont complain, 3 days with the feet up makes up for the poor pay wrangler

Timmaay

BigSteaks wrote: »

Got 3 days off work due to weather (dont tell wrangler), so watching a bit of netflix and series called Rotten. Its average. Episode 5 is interesting and focuses on dairy in states.

Seems they are really struggling and a lot selling up. However there are a few gone into organic and seem to be nearly doubling profits. Demand really increasing.

Anyone in organic milk here or considering it? Or is there a need with things booming here.

Biggest issue with organic milk is finding a reliable market for it, usually the processor will insist on having a flat profile all year around, which means calving ayr, which ties you down a hell of a lot more than if your spring calving only now.

BigSteaks

Timmaay wrote: »

Biggest issue with organic milk is finding a reliable market for it, usually the processor will insist on having a flat profile all year around, which means calving ayr, which ties you down a hell of a lot more than if your spring calving only now.

Another issue they were saying in the states was it takes 2 years to convert to organic. I think they were compensated during the 2 years though!

Cattlepen

I see the organic milk in Tesco is 99c a liter while avonmore is €1.29
Figure that one out

_Brian

I don’t think “organic” labelling in Ireland carries a premium for many people, certainly not enough to create a market segment that many will chance. The majority of Irish cows graze outdoors for significant portions of their lactation producing a premium dairy product, strict regulation of medicines mean the milk is in general clean from contamination.

In a country like the US where regular milk likely came from a milk factory where cows are housed 365 and have a 2-3 year lifespan, standing on concrete being fed food waste like bread and buns, they are allowed stuff them with all sorts to increase yield. The notion of grass fed organically produced milk takes on a whole new credential as it’s actually a real alternative production method. This actual significant difference makes for a real market segment to chance and population size scales this up.

I’d say there is an Irish market, but my opinion is it’s small, and Irish people won’t pay a premium price for many items.

I’d say selling raw milk is more likely to grow in popularity and produce near as much opportunity as organic.

joejobrien

Organics is past its sell by date with most of the consumers. What was once a premium market is no longer the case. Supermarkets have forced prices down to similar terms to conventional products . Production is sigfinacntly lower. From a farm production point of view its not balancing.Yes there may very well be a few making a living but not many . People have become to expect low food prices but with all the organic, enviromental labels hanging from it without the need to pay for it or recognise the need to pay for this system.
The figures wont balance. Raw milk has its own constraints. Again very limited. Sadly we produce commidities and all energies continue to focus just on that.

gozunda

BigSteaks wrote: »

Got 3 days off work due to weather (dont tell wrangler), so watching a bit of netflix and series called Rotten. Its average. Episode 5 is interesting and focuses on dairy in states.

Seems they are really struggling and a lot selling up. However there are a few gone into organic and seem to be nearly doubling profits. Demand really increasing.

Anyone in organic milk here or considering it? Or is there a need with things booming here.

I wonder how many are actively running organic dairy herds in Ireland ...

What type of farming are doing yourself BS ?

BigSteaks

gozunda wrote: »

I wonder how many are actively running organic dairy herds in Ireland ...

What type of farming are doing yourself BS ?

Thats what I was wondering. Joejo is right raw milk was big but banned in some states.

I am only part time and don't have scale for organic as i think you would need to grow your own crops for meal. Might be wrong on that and maybe easier buy.

Uncle is big sheep farmer and gone organic, in his 70s now and reducing his herd so guess organic makes sense for him.

Interesting to get some stats on different organic enterprises and compare to non organic. Will cap 2020 get serious on environment and fert restrictions. Maybe a improved glas or more organic grants. Organic way to go for future part timers maybe!

Water John

Not sure on numbers but would about 40 supply Glenisk and 10 supply The Little Village Dairy?
The organic milk market has a higher price and less volatility than trad market.