Organic route to success

30 January 1998

Organic route to success

Good profits and a

constructive approach to the

countryside are the reasons

why an organic producer is

winner of the FW/NSA Sheep

Farming and Conservation.

Emma Penny reports

PROFITABLE sheep production plus a commitment to conservation is why one Welsh producer has won the NSA/farmers weekly conservation and sheep farming competition, judged in conjunction with FWAG.

Nigel Elgar, partner in the business at Cannon, Llanerfil, Welshpool, Powys, runs 1000 hardy Speckle Face ewes on an organic system across 425ha (1050 acres) running from 250m (800ft) to 430m (1400ft).

In 1996, Mr Elgar achieved gross margins which were 18% better a ewe (£47.49 a ewe) and 37% better a hectare at £257/ha (£104/acre) than MLC targets for hill farms.

He is convinced that a large part of his financial success is due to adopting organic techniques. "In 1990 we looked at conservation grade farming, but we are limited in what we can do here, and wanted to ensure a premium.

"We did the sums and found organic farming was the best option. Now we would not go back to conventional production. Even without the premium, organic farming would be more profitable.

"It also means we farm in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. No artificial fertilisers or chemicals are used, and winter-hardy clovers such as S184, the Kent types and an Ensign mix on silage land, are used to maximise output from improved grassland. The increase in clover also means we now make higher quality silage," says Mr Elgar.

High quality silage – analysing this year at 11.9ME, 74.5D-value and 16.4% crude protein – is cut in the first week of July. The reliance on clover rather than fertiliser is the reason for this late cutting date.

"When we went organic, the potential reduction in silage yield was a big worry. Initially, yields did fall but they have risen now to more than they were under con-ventional management," he explains.

Silage is used for feeding ewes throughout winter. High annual rainfall – 1780mm (70in) – means most ewes are housed to reduce poaching, with only 250-300 single-bearers remaining outside.

Ewes with single lambs receive only silage, while those carrying multiples are offered silage with a mix of pot ale syrup – which supplies 16% protein – and molasses. "On hill farms, 20% of feed is allowed to be non-organic."

Lambing starts in April, and average lambing percentage – the number reared – is about 120%.

Progeny at Cannon is recorded as part of the Welsh Sheep Initiative. Mr Elgar now runs an elite group of ewes to breed replacement rams, besides breeding half the flock pure to produce ewe lambs.

The rest of the flock is crossed with Berrichon du Cher tups to produce top quality finishing lambs.

"We started off using Suffolks, and also looked at other Continental breeds, but the Berrichon du Cher seems to produce hardy lambs which thrive well to give good carcasses." The best of these are sold through a local organic marketing scheme for a 25p/kg premium over average market prices. "Smaller lambs are sold in August and September for export, but there is no organic premium."

Besides housing ewes during winter to reduce poaching, stocking rates on heather moorland were cut to help maintain natural vegetation. "We have a 200-acre heather moorland with Black grouse, and are trying to work out a system to meet the RSPBs need and those of the farm," he explains.

Other conservation projects at Cannon have involved replanting and double fencing old hedges, rebuilding walls and reslating traditional buildings. "We have also planted 50 acres of shelter belts with mixed varieties of trees.

"Some of our hay meadows are in the species rich grassland scheme, while 1.6ha is in the water fringe scheme."

Watercourses run close to the sheep housing at Cannon, and so pollution control is a key issue. Silage effluent and any dirty water are channelled into tanks, while sheep dip – only flumethrin can be used – is neutralised with lime, then added to the dirty water system. Dirty water is spread on fields without artificial drainage. &#42

Even without a premium, organic production would be more profitable and better for the environment. Left: Nigel Elgar houses ewes from January to April to reduce poaching, as rainfall averages 1780mm a year.

ELGAR STRATEGY

&#8226 Hill and upland flocks.

&#8226 Organic production.

&#8226 Habitat scheme member.

&#8226 Improve profit and quality.