Main concepts of the unit
The development and planning of the Greenmount Organic Unit has gone through a clearly defined process, attempting to incorporate a set of basic concepts which the Greenmount Organic Development Advisers use when assisting converting organic farmers.
To be of maximum use to local farmers it has been designed to represent a typical mixed Northern Ireland farm in size, structure, and enterprises, and containing typical soil types.
However, the Unit incorporates modern organic practices and is not simply a copy of a conventional (non-organic) farm, but run on organic inputs. As a result visitors will notice a diverse range of fodder, forage and other crops as well as mixed livestock systems.
Care has also been taken to incorporate current guidelines on environmental protection and enhancement, which are an integral part of organic standards.
In essence, the farm is a mixed farm incorporating a suckler herd, sheep flock, fodder, forage and arable feed and cash crops.
Sustainability
Right from the start, maximising sustainability and minimising external inputs has been the core concept in designing the Unit.
Many conventional (non-organic) livestock farms rely on the purchase of considerable quantities of additional feedstuffs to support the maximum number of livestock the farm will carry.
The design of the Greenmount Organic Unit asked the following questions:
- How much grazing and silage can be produced ?
- How much concentrate can be produced ?
- What reasonable level of cash crops can be produced ?
- What livestock will this home-grown production support ?
Other core concepts include:
- Self-contained cattle herd and sheep flock to avoid the risks of bringing in animal disease
- Produce from the unit should be of high quality and acceptable to consumers
© DARD 2008