SOPAnews0810.pub (Read-Only) - Scottish Organic Producers

ORGANIC NEWSLETTER
November 2008
This issue of the SOPA Organic Newsletter features some innovative organic food processing members who sell direct to the
public. This is an opportunity to be inspired for Christmas gifts,
and also perhaps be inspired for innovation and diversification
in your own organic business.
In the markets, there is huge volatility in the conventional agriculture with cereal prices yo-yoing, conventional prime meat
pushing upward price pressure on food inflation and fossil fuelhungry fertilisers causing a great deal of budget-scratching for
conventional farmers.
In this Issue
Certification Corner
2-3
Caledonian Organics
4
BOCM Pauls Organic Feeds
5
SAC Organic Market Link Update
6
There has been only 2% net change in prime organic meat farm
gate prices in the last twelve months. The organic premium on
beef and lamb was an average of 20% this time in 2007; this year
it is 5%. It is conventional market volatility which is unbalancing
the market.
SOPA Inspec tor Emily Grant
7
I am heartened by our members who have reiterated with me
recently that organic farming is not short term gain; it is a long
term system based on natural cycles, bearing the ups and
downs ecologically and financially. Stoicism indeed.
SOPA Associate Member Biotal
10
Norton Organic Cereals Market Update
11
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Connage Highland
Dairy
12
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Chocolate Tree
13
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Windshiel
14
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Ruthy’s Scones
15
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Coco’s Chocolates
16
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Mollinsburn Organics
17
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Mrs Hamilton’s
18
SOPA Christmas Spec ial—Borde r Meringues
19
Classifieds
20
At least organic farming doesn’t have those worries! Organic
cereals are much more realistic this year, after 2007 prices
scared quite a few buyers and there seems to be a slower
market bringing some stability this year, albeit I know some are
concerned at slow uplift.
Can I welcome Alison Redfearn, Administrative Assistant and
Joanna Sinclair, Certification Officer who have recently joined
the SOPA team. We were sorry to see Alan Gray and David Michie move onto pastures new and indeed wish them the very
best, but now with an all-girl office team we are having a review
of our systems and endeavouring to deliver an even better service to our members. Joanna hails from Shetland so we have
another branch of experience to draw upon.
The SRDP is causing a great deal of work for me. There is a
degree of farmer interest in claiming organic funding and while
all of Scottish agriculture tries to understand how the SRDP is
meant to work I fear it could take some time to get it right. I can
only stress to you:
•
there are a great number of things you can claim for
beyond the realms of organic farming.
•
Funding is broken down into Regions.
•
•
•
If you have a current OAS you need to be prepared to
start applying under SRDP the year before your current
scheme expires.
Despite all assurances, the funding is competitive and
there are deadlines.
PLEASE DO N OT LEAVE YOUR PROPOSAL TO THE
LAST MINUTE as the online application process takes a
great deal more time than anyone had anticipated.
Please call me if you have any questions
Debs
SOPA App roved Products
8-9
This newsletter is published by
Scottish Organic Producers Association, SFQC,
Royal Highland Centre,
10th Avenue, Ingliston, EH28 8NF
Tel 0131 335 6606 Fax 0131 335 6601
www.sopa.org.uk [email protected] rg.uk
Scottish Food Quality Certification (SFQC)
has made every effort t o ensure t hat t he informat ion cont ained in this New slett er is accurat e. No legal responsibility is
accept ed for errors, omissions or misleading st at ement s in t hat informat ion caused by negligence or ot herw ise. No
responsibility is accept ed in regard t o t he st anding of any firms, companies or individuals mentioned in t his New slett er.
PRINTED ON CHLORINE-FREE RECYCLABLE PAPER FROM SUSTAINABLE WOOD FORESTS AND MANUFACTURED TO ISO9001 AND ISO14001
CERTIFICATION CORNER
We are now drawing a close to the 2008 assessment year, and this means we are busy in the office processing
the final reports for the year. As you may know if you have rung the office recently, David Michie, our
Certification Officer has moved on from SOPA and is now working with SAC as an advisor. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank David for all his work with SOPA and wish him well in his new role.
I would like to welcome to the SOPA team Joanna Sinclair as Organic Certification Officer and Alison Redfearn
as Administrative Assistant
I expect many of you will now be housing cattle, and preparing for the winter months ahead, feed rations will be
being calculated and forage analysis being studied. If you think you may be short of forage this winter please
contact the office in plenty of time, so that we can help to find you an organic source of forage. Please do not
leave this to the last minute. Alternatively, if you have an excess this year, contact the office also, and we can
try and match up supply and demand.
Jane Ellis
Residue Testing
SOPA are pleased to announce that we now have the
confirmed results of the potato multi- residue pesticide
analysis results which took place in September 2008.
The potato samples were sent to the Science and
Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) for analysis.
We are please to report that there were no
pesticide residues detected at or above the
reporting limit of 0.01mg/kg.
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the
SOPA Certification team would like to thank the
potato producers for all their co-operation in providing
potato samples.
Reminder to all potato growers
Many of you will be organising
organic seed for 2009 planting.
Please remember non-organic
seed derogations must be
submitted to the office as soon
as possible.
Derogation forms can be
downloaded from the website,
Bluetongue Vaccination
The vaccine is now available and livestock farmers s hould
be liaising with their vets to order the vaccine and commence vaccination of lives tock. Remember, vaccination
in Sc otland is compulsory. O nly the Shetland Isles are
exempt for vaccination. All animals must be vaccinated
by the 30th April 2009 . The Scottish G overnment has
sent out G uidance tyo all L ivestock keepers : if you did not
receive this you should urgently contact your local
SGRPID Area O ffice.
2
CERTIFICATION CORNER
COMPOSTS IN ORGANIC SYSTEMS
SOPA Standards 4.2.4 states that
‘bought in manures or plant waste from non-organic sources must not form the basis of a
manorial programme, but should be adjuncts, used exceptionally where other means of
maintaining soil health and fertility are inadequate. Details of the manure must be provided
to SFQC including it’s source and the animal species and husbandry system from which it
came. The GM free status of all manures and plant wastes must be also demonstrated to the
satisfaction of SFQC’.
Justification must be provided by comple tion of the ‘De rogation Form for Non-organic
Manure /Compost’ form , along with
1.
A soil analysis showing low le vels of fe rtility, that justifies your request
2.
For manure : details of the type of manure you wish to apply, (farm yard manure , he n pe n), including the animal husbandry system and stock ing density
de tails (see SOPA standard 4.2.5), and a GMO free de claration.
3.
For composts: details of the type of compost you wish to apply (Green
Waste ), the PAS100 ce rtificate and a GMO de claration.
De rogation form s can be downloaded from the we bsite, e-maile d to you, faxed or posted.
A nimal By Product (A BP) compost is not permitted under the SOPA standards.
As of 01 January 2009 the existing organic legal EU Regulations
2092/91 are being replaced with EU Regulations 834/2007.
What this means to you as a SOPA member?
The aim of the new EU Regulations is to update and amend the old ones. SOPA has been
working with the other UK Certification Bodies, organic stakeholders and DEFRA
throughout 2008 monitoring the updates on an ongoing basis, and helping to produce
the C ommission Regulations 889/2008 and the Guidance Document on European Union
Organic Standards which will be specifically for the UK.
The organic pr incipals you have been applying to your businesses will remain the same.
The re is one particular area that will be ne w unde r EU834/2007: the ne w EU organic logo must
feature on all organic package d products from July 2010. But as ye t the EU logo has not been
finalised. This means that labels for organic food must also include the EU logo. Only SOPA
membe rs se lling dire ct to re tail at the final point in the food process will need to make a change
to their labe ls.
Most of these changes will not affect the majority of the SOPA
membership, and with the SOPA standards and level of detail you record
and what we already ask of you regarding your organic businesses we
anticipate a seamless transition into 2009.
3
Caledonian ORGANICS launches
feed buying group in partnership with
BOCM
Caledonian Organics, Scotland’s organic beef and lamb producers’ cooperative, is
pleased to announce the launch of its feed buying group in partnership with BOCM.
For the past six months, CalOrg has been estimating feed requirements for all of
Scotland’s organic beef, sheep and dairy farmers. This has been possible through the
hard work of its local coordinators, contacting as many producers in Scotland as
possible to produce realistic forecasts. With this forward tonnage estimate CalOrg
were able to tender to several organic feed suppliers, all of whom were interested in
the contract. On the basis of price discount, technical expertise and the most
comprehensive service, BOCM Organic Supplies offered the best deal. This contract
will be reviewed annually, to ensure that CalOrg secures the best prices for its
members.
CalOrg has sent the first batch of organic feed off to the SAC for independent
nutritional analysis, and this exercise will be repeated on two spot checks of varying
rations per month. Checks are made against declared ME, protein and mineral levels.
For information on products and prices contact:
Tina Morris, BOCM
Tel: 01768 860377; Mobile: 07803 286825 or email: [email protected]; or,
Jenny Cuthbert, CalOrg
Tel: 01224 711063; Mobile: 07958 050431 or email [email protected]
Independent Organic Livestock Marketing
Group for Scotland and the Borders
♦
FOR FULLY ORGA NIC OR “IN-CONVERSION” FARMERS
BEST MA RKET FOUND FO R ALL YO UR O RGANIC LIVESTOCK, INCLUDING CULLS
♦
GET YO UR VO ICE HEARD IN THE MARKETPLACE!
♦
♦
MA NY OTHER A DVA NTA GES OF MEMBER SHIP; INSURA NCE, I NPUT DEA LS
STRONG LINK S WITH GRO UPS ACRO SS UK
♦
O RGANIC STO RES & BREEDING STO CK WEBSITE WWW.O RGANIC-STO RES.CO .UK
♦
WHY NOT JOIN NOW!
FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT :
White lupins
Jenny Cuthbert - 01224 711063 or [email protected]
THE ORGANIC RANGE OF
FEEDS AND ADVICE
Organic lamb production
Increasing lambing
percentage by 10% from 160 to 176
is worth around £800 per 100 ewes.
BOCM PAULS Natural Organic Range offers:
Natural Organic Sugar Green Nuts.
Designed to maintain placental growth and
nutrient supply to the developing foetus in
mid-pregnancy , when harsh weather
limits forage intakes.
Natural Organic Ewe Nuts and Rolls.
For feeding to ewes in the run up to
lambing and during lactation.
Natural Organic Calf & lamb Pellets.
For creep feeding and finishing lambs.
Sheep Feeds
Natural Organi c Ewe Nuts/Rolls
18% Protein
Natural Organi c Universal 17 Nuts
17% Protein
Natural Organi c Sugar Green Nuts
15% Protein
Organic Beef Production
This can be a highly profitable enterprise and relies on high quality forage to achieve best results. Both suckler and
dairy bred calves will benefit from concentrate supplement to ensure liveweight gains are maximised at critical times
in their lives.
Beef Calves – Creep feeding to help make the most of the young animal’s ability to convert
feed into liveweight. The creep feed stage is the most cost effective time to supplement
diets.
Growing cattle – Natural Organic
Cattle Rearer Nuts are the product of
choice for this stage to build frame
quickly and effi ciently.
Finishing Cattle – For all finishing
cattle Natural Organic Cattle Rearer
Nuts or Natural Organic Beef Nuts will
complement all types of forage in the
finishing stages.
Youngstock and Beef Feeds
Natural Organi c Calf & lamb Pellets
16% Protein
Natural Organi c Cattle Rearer Nuts
16% Protein
Natural Organi c Beef Nuts
14% Protein
Natural Organi c Grain Balancer Pellets
28% Protein
BOCM PAULS LTD is proud to be associated with Caledonian Organics.
Contact Details: T ina Morris 01768 860377/07803286825
All BOCM PAULS LTD Organic feeds approved in accordance with Organic Certification UK5
SAC Organic Market Link Update
There are very mixed messages about the current state of the organic market. The media reports a big down turn in both interest and retail sales in the organic market due to the recession whilst conversely the supermarkets are reporting good year on year growth in volume
sales of organic produce to 8th September 2008. Riverford box schemes report increased sales
and Grahams Dairies have recently announced that they have increased their weekly production
of organic butter by 93% over the last twelve months.
So, what is happening in the organic beef, lamb and grain market here in Scotland?
Prices are down 40p to 297p per kilo for cattle but they are still the same price as they
were this time last year. However, they have lost their large premium when compared to conventional cattle which are at the unprecedented price of 292p per kilo. This is pretty much
the same story in the lamb market; prices are very
similar to this time last year at 285p
per kilo but again show very little premium when compared to conventional lambs which are
currently making 275p per kilo. The price of organic grain is considerably lower than this
time last year with prices for wheat being quoted at around £200 per tonne. Although these
prices are not as keen as last year they are in fact not dissimilar to prices achieved in
2006. But as in any situation, there are always winners and losers and this reduced price
will undoubtedly be beneficial for many in the organic livestock
sector who struggled to
pay the big prices for animal feed last year.
What will happen in the next while is really anyone’s guess but the
Scottish organic meat processors are optimistic that their organic market is sustainable and worth supporting so that should give producers
confidence.
Caroline Bayliss
SAC Organic Farming Consultant
An Internet View...
The followi ng vi ew was bl ogged recentl y on the Austr alian organic website http://www.organicangels.com/bl og/?p=104 and it is an enc ouraging experienc e. It s hould also be s aid that similar views are held by some SOPA members who are s elling direct to the c ons umer and
seeing a s urge of custom away from supermar kets and into loc al organic food outlets. Anecdotal evidence is that a simpl e mar keti ng message attr acts cus tomers who already want to buy organic and local, and they s ee local direct food as significantl y better value in cash ter ms.
“I run an organic delivery business in Melbourne Australia. Over the last couple of months, I have had a lot of people
presuming my business would be starting to struggle because of the credit crunch. I guess as organic produce is a
premium item, consumers with a tight budget would tend to go with cheaper non-organic counterparts.
But to be honest my business is still growing, there has been no drop in total sales over the last couple of months, although
I have noticed slower growth (but this also happened at the same time last year). This could be because Australia isn’t yet
affected by recession like many of the worlds other developed countries. But I think there is another good reason, and that
is people that want to look after their bodies and their families, are more likely to sacrifice junk food and take aways than
stop buying organic.
An article in the Australian Food News starts with the headline that organic food is not safe in the downturn, but then also
goes onto say that growth is slower rather than there is a decline in sales. In the same article it shows research by Mintel;
the organic industry grew (worldwide) last year by 140%! More and more people are being educated on their food choices
are starting to purchase organic produce. Mintel conclude from their research that “Economic struggles will undoubtedly
change the way organic food and drink is sold. But we don’t expect people to completely stop b uying organics. We anticipate more subtle changes, s uch as the formerly all-organic shopper who returns to traditional cookie brands while sticking
with organic produce. These small changes will slow market growth.”
In another article in the Australian Food News published 17 Nov 2008 states “The trend toward health and wellness and
the desire of many consumers to become “green”, is likely to see continued success over coming years. The economic
downturn may limit growth in the next year, however.” So growth will be slow, but growth is growth, and I don’t see any
6
organic retailer or farmer going out of business over the next year.”
SOPA Inspector Emily Grant
Apart from a year out in 2007, when I was working for
SAC in water quality, I have been organic inspecting
for about 10 years now; so how did I end up doing
this?
As is probably true of quite a few things in life, I sort
of fell into it!
Although my parents don’t farm it was always in the
blood. My mum was the eldest of seven from a livestock farming family. However, she spent all her time
helping her mother in the house and vowed never to
marry a farmer. She didn’t! My grandparents still
farm in Aberdeenshire, but as a child I used to spend
many happy summer holidays on their farm in Orkney. Admittedly much of that time was spent riding
ponies, rather than helping with the cattle!!
I always wanted to be a vet, but just failed to make
the grades necessary, and ended up studying Agriculture at Edinburgh University. When I was studying
Agriculture it was all about maximising yields, genetic
modification and transgenics – the word ‘organic’ was
never even mentioned! After graduating I worked for
J Bibby Agriculture in Scone and, when the mill
closed went on to do a Masters degree in Environmental Management at Stirling University. Shortly
after graduating, I started with SOPA. Those were
the days of the office being a wee portacabin on a
farm near Doune!!
Energy) and originally from a sheep and beef farm in
Laggan.
We also farm, running approximately 300 ewes.
They are now predominantly Texel/Cheviot cross,
put back to the Texel. Because we rent in some
grazing locally we’re not registered organic, but our
system would certainly qualify well.
We sell all our lambs fat off grass from June until
September/October. We’re trying to find the ‘perfect’
sheep (is that possible?) so undertake a lot of recording and keep replacements from only the best
performing sheep i.e. those that lamb unassisted
and successfully rear twins. As we feel we’re going
a bit too far down the Texel line (80+ kgs is a lot of
sheep to handle!) we’ve invested in some new genetics and bought a New Zealand Highlander tup to
try. We await lambing with interest!
I’m lucky to be based in Perth, and although I don’t
have any dairy farms to inspect I get to see a wide
range of different enterprises, mainly across
Perthshire and Angus. I’ve met some great folk,
seen some really beautiful parts of the country and
learned a lot too. What more could you ask for?!
I met my husband whilst at Edinburgh. He too studied agriculture at Edinburgh a couple of years ahead
of me. He’s a rural practice chartered surveyor and
works for Airtricity (part of Scottish & Southern
What's in The Larder?
Over the past few months SOPA has been working in conjunction with colleagues at
SFQC in developing a partnership with the renowned consumer publication The List. This
partnership will see the publication of The Larder, a major new publication about Scotland’s
food and drink: what we produce, where it comes from and where to get hold of it. Available from next spring, The Larder will be the most authoritative and up-to-date guide to
Scottish produce available in print, with feature articles and colour photography covering
the country's farmers, fish-smokers, cheese makers, bakers, brewers, distillers and many more. It will also feature
product guides, a look at the issues behind food in Scotland and a directory of 250 of the best places to buy local
food, from delis and good butchers to farm shops and farmers' markets.
John Hamilton, Chair of the Scottish Organic Producers Association said: "SOPA is sponsoring The Larder
because we want to raise the profile of great Scottish food. We believe many people would like to know more
about organic food and the stories behind it and would probably buy more local produce if they knew where to go
and what to look out for. We'd also like retailers and restaurants to provide more information about the food they
sell, so by working with The List, and their partners SFQC who know so many food producers, we can help make
this easier." SOPA members direct-selling to the public can get listed in The Larder by contacting Owen Freeman
7
at SFQC on 0131 335 6654 or by email [email protected]
SOPA Approved Products
SOPA certifies the following soil nutrient inputs as
Approved Products.
Approved Product status means that the product is
approved for use in organic s ystems. Farmers and
growers still need to check with the SOPA Certification
team for permission to use the product.
Approved Product certification does not offer any
endorsement for efficacy of the product.
PROGRESS WITH SEER ROCKDUST
As we come to the close of another year with SOPA approved SEER Rockdust there is plenty of progress to
report. The main success is again for home gardening with another crop of delighted gardeners who see an
improvement in their vegetables, and flowers. For vegetables, the Royal Nati onal Rose Society Judge, Lancashir e based Tony Br acegir dle, who is also a dedicated allot ment gr ower , confir ms he has t he best cr op
ever of potatoes. Dundee Landscape Gar dener , Jean Lackie r epor ts her best-established-gar den-ever when
she put in a new gar den for a customer using loc ally sour ced topsoil and SEER Rockdust. For far ming Alan Br ownie, who gets such good SEER Rockdust r e-or der ing business fr om the 20kg bags he sells in his BA
Stor es near Echt, decided to tr y a bulk load for his silage cr op this year . He was r ewar ded with a higher
bale c ount i n the half of t he field wher e the SEER Rockdust had been used. In Alan's wor ds "As standard
fertilisers prices rise I expect to see more SEER Rockdust being used in farming." Also on Deeside, or ganically appr oved Dr Wendy Steel who co-r uns V ital V eg(1), and who has just been shor t-listed for BBC Radio
Food and Far ming Awar d 2008, tr ied a bulk load on a cr op of Oats under sown wit h gr ass and deep r ooted
her bs. "This is part of our soil improvement programme and whilst not part of a controlled trial we are
confident that adding a supply of freshly crushed, mineral rich SEER Rockdust should help improve
our soils." states Wendy. Jennifer Cook, Sales Manager for Angus Hor ticultur e Ltd goes on to say "Whilst
the Soil Remineralisation Forum becomes involved in more scientific trials, there is no reason why farmers cannot reap the undeniable benefits that the gardeners around the country are experiencing on so
many different crops. With the M acaulay Research Institute stating that Soil Biodiversity is a new scientific frontier( 2) we can’t say exactly why it works, but as a tried and tested, 100% natural volcanic dust,
the evidence that it does work is growing on a daily basis. Scientific analysis shows it to contain over two
thirds of all the elements in the Periodic Table." Plenty of Testi monials can be seen on Angus's website
www.angus-hor ticultur e.co.uk
(1)
www.vitalveg.co. uk
( 2)
Scottish Gover nment Website: http://www.scot land.gov.uk/
8
SOPA Approved Products
Sw ift Nature UK has very
Plocher products and Livestock
recently gained SOPA approval
for 8 of it’s Plocher products.
Whilst individual products may be used, we
recommend implement ing the whole pro-
Plocher Slurry Tr eatment
Plocher Komposter
Plocher Soil Activator 1, 2 & 3
Plocher PlantDO
Plocher PlantME
Plocher Produc ts and Crops
Protocols have been developed to
guide typical timings of applications
grammes. They have been dev eloped to gain
for cr ops, including cer eals, vegeta-
maximum benefit and ar e all based on a t hree-
bles, fr uit and flow ers. They focus on
prong ed approac h. They can help to improve:
helping to:
THE HOUSING ENVIRONMENT
IMPROVE THE SOIL
• reduc ing ammonia levels
• improving soil struct ure
• virtually eliminating flies
• increasing soil fer tility
• improving housing hygiene
• improving soil hygiene
• stimulat ing beneficial soil microbes
Plocher Plant Vital
WATER QUALITY
Plocher ActiveLeaf
by activ ely building humus levels
• reduc ing toxins and pat hog ens
• reduc ing heavy metals and c hlorine levels in w ater
Plocher PlantVital F1
Sw ift Natur e (UK distributor s of
• eliminating limescale
PROMOTE STRONG GROWTH
• optimising photosynthesis and leaf
growth
• improving taste so w ater consumption
increases
• strengt hening immune system
find out about the pr oducts and how
THE BENEFIT
they can help Scotland’s or ganic
• improving feed usag e, digest ion and
metabolism
• protect ing cr op during adv erse
weather condit ions
Plocher products) are exhibiting at
Agr iscot so come along to Stand 2 to
farmers and grow ers.
OF
GOOD FE ED
• reducing str ess
Contact Char lotte Wilson 01280 822
188 or www.swiftnatur e.co.uk
• improving ammonia lev els in faec es and
urine
• protect ing against f ungal at tack and
disease
• improving recov ery time aft er at tack
from pests or disease
• reduce lodging in cereals
20KG SEA-LIK ANIMAL FEED LICK BUCKETS CONTAINING SEAWEED MEAL
STANDARD £17.97
HI-MAG £18.97
HI-PHOS £19.57
IF ½ TONNE OR MORE ORDERED, DELIVERY IS FREE.
WE WILL GIVE YOU 25 LITRES OF SEAWEED LIQ UID EXTRACT FREE IF 1 TONNE OR MORE
ORDERED
100% PURE SEAWEED GRANULES/MEAL
500 kg £497. 00
1 tonne £897.00
Providing health to animals
Please do not hesitate to Email, phone or fax us if you have a query, or wish to discuss a ny of our products
Böd Ayre Products Limited
‘Hamnav oe’ Lunnaness Vidlin Shetland ZE2 9QF
Registered in Scotland: SC 248420
Tel/Fax: +44(0)1806577328
www.seaweedproducts.co.uk
[email protected]
9
SOPA New Associate Member
SOPA works with a number of trade companies who have an interest in the Scottish
organic industry.
Biotal has recently joined SOPA as an Associate Member
21st Century Organic Biotechnology
Now in his 15 th year with the Company, Chris Totten believes that Biotal’s
technology has now come to the fore within the organic industry and is one
of the UK's leading companies specialising in the development of products
based on microbial and enzyme technology. Utilising this technology Biotal
has developed a range of natural, non hazardous biological products as alternatives to
traditional chemicals which are unpleasant, corrosive or toxic, for Agriculture, Equine, Garden and Industrial
applications. All Biotal products are manufactured to ISO 9001-2000 standards, and are independently tested
to ensure that product quality is maintained through to end user.
“The business”, he says, ”focuses on the research, development, manufacture and supply of forage additives
and feed supplements using naturally occurring micro-organisms, and we believe that we are the only
Company utilising non-GM enzymes for this purpose.”
“Especially in a year like this,” he comments “forage quality is vital to ensure optimum health and productivity
for dairy cows and beef cattle but during the hectic activity at silage making time, it can be all too easy to
forget the reason for much of the planning, preparation, hard work and investment. We try and encourage
farmers to optimise the production of home grown forage and feed, which is achieved by harvesting crops at
the right time and applying a suitable additive to enhance the feed value and ensure a good preservation.”
High specification forage and feed additives for grass, maize, cereal and protein crops are available from
Biotal, all of which have Soil Association and Organic Farmers & Growers approval.
Also developed by Biotal is Lupicaleage® (pictured), a mix of lupins and triticale producing an inexpensive
complete diet for the growing animal, providing a quality protein, starch and highly effective
source of “scratch” fibre, incorporating Biotal Wholecrop Legume.
Biotal also supply a rumen specific live yeast. There are many benefits to using live yeast in
dairy or beef diets, including improved digestibility and rumen health.
Contact Chris Totten on 07775 538073 for more information
about Biotal and the products available for organic farming or
go online to http://www.biotal.co.uk/agricultural/
10
Norton Organic Cereals Market Update
Attempting to write a market update at a time when
Organic feed wheat is currently trading at a
both domestic and international economies are in the
premium of approximately £90 per tonne over
greatest turmoil since the 1930’s is not the easiest
non organic supplies and we are very keen to
task. A month ago the £/$ exchange rate was 1.75,
locate any samples that might make milling
last March it was almost $2/£. As we write this it has
quality as millers are finding imported grain very
now fallen below $1.50/£. The £/€ exchange rate has
expensive with weak sterling. **See stop press
also weakened, although to a lesser extent. Worldbelow ** If you have any wheat that could make
wide numerous major international finance houses
milling grade please contact us for more informahave been bailed out by taxpayer via their governtion. Samples remain VERY important for all
ments. Indeed the financial credibility of a number of
grades and we ask that you monitor all stored
countries is now in question. With the benefit of hindgrains carefully through the winter.
sight, no-one can be too surprised that the frothy
We are in the process of trying to put toeconomy built on a period of spiralling debt has come
gether a New Year organic Bean supply proto a close; the impressive finale of the Chinese Olymgramme so if you have beans for sale we would
pics can now be seen to have also signalled the end
like to hear from you as we think demand will be
of the consumer boom era of the last decade or so.
seen.
It is inevitable that the impact of this turmoil
Prices have dropped significantly in the
is seen in changing consumer habits, and although
conventional grain market and we are starting to
fuel and possibly mortgage costs are on the downsee some farms who had previously put converturn, there are few people who have not become more
sion plans ‘on hold’ whilst non organic cereals
cautious in their spending. 3 months ago television
were profitable, are now clearly reviewing their
programmes were promoting healthy eating and oroptions with huge increases in input costs.
ganic foods. This message was adopted by superTo conclude , we feel a lot of the
markets keen to profit from value added food prodnegatives in the market are now factored into
ucts. Now it is easier and more effective for them to
prices and that the New Year may bring in some
promote cut-price lines. The clamour for 12 month
improvement. This obviously depends on the conguaranteed supply deals on organic, and
dition of the wider economy and is almost imposalso conventional, raw materials has gone as bearish
sible to predict with any certainty. The autumn
market conditions encourage buyers to delay making
has also to date been very mild and any true winforward purchases in a weakening marketplace.
ter weather would also support prices. In the
Comm odity markets in every sector worldshort term we strongly suggest that we keep in
wide have therefore fallen sharply over recent weeks
close contact to ensure that the correct marketing
and sadly we see this trend to continue for the remaindecision is made in a challenging environment.
der of 2008. Organic markets have also felt this retrenchment and prices have slipped back steadily
Current Values ex farm
since the long and tiresome harvest that many of our
Dec/Jan 2008/9
customers have had to endure. Prior to the financial
crisis taking over the headlines some elements of the
Feed wheat
£170
media were suggesting that the Organic sector would
Feed barley
£165
be getting squeezed as consumers start to trade down
Oats/Triticale
£170
and whilst we have seen some evidence of this, other
Beans
£240
areas do remain upbeat as many Organic retail
consumers will be reluctant to change their buying
habits.
Markets have been lethargic with our buyers
adopting a hand to mouth buying policy to date which
**STOP PRESS**
has been frustrating and very different when
We have just been speaking to a major miller
compared to the strong demand seen last season.
looking specifically for low protein UK OrOne of the major compounders unfortunately chose to
ganic milling wheats for Feb/March/April delivery.
purchase a significant quantity of imported cereal
They have a customer demanding UK origin
back in August and, with the economy now officially in
wheat and this contract will extend if we are able
recession, other buyers will only bid as and when they
to source sufficient supplies for them. This is pomake sales. Some areas of organic trade appear to
tentially an exciting opportunity for those of you
be particularly slow, notably organic poultry, and degrowing quality wheats so please get any sammand for oats for domestic use has also been slack.
ples in to us as soon as possible.
To counter this we are at present looking to export
oats in the New Year to replace reduced demand from
Simon Tubbs, telephone 01787 210899
our two UK oat millers.
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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
Our organic food processing certification scheme goes from strength to strength with a steady stream of new
food businesses signing up with SOPA for organic certification. The next few pages are dedicated to information about these companies—what th ey make and where you can buy their wonderful organic food. Hopefully you find be inspired for Christmas! When speaking to these organic suppliers please mention you are a
SOPA memb er.
Connage Highland Dairy
www.connage.co.uk
We produce 6 delicious award
winning cheeses from organic home
produced milk.
Our fabulous Connage Crowdie is mousse lik e, smooth,
used for sweet or savoury dishes, and been named
THE BEST CHEESE IN
SCOTLAND 2008 at the
British Cheese Awards
Buy on line or direct from creamery door
Milton of Connage
Ardersier
Inverness Iv2 7QU
Tel:01667 462000
Fax:01667 462004
www.connage.co.uk
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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
Friederike continues to grow her organic chocolate business and in the run up
to Christmas this year is introducing two new organic chocolate bars: Maple &
Pecan and Cardamon
We caramelise the pecans in high grade organic maple syrup and add them to
the chocolate.
The Cardamon bar is made with a mix of cardamon seeds, cardamon powder
and a hint of sugar to bring out the flavour.
Both of these bars and more will be available at our stalls at the events below
and also in an increasing number of shops throughout the Central Belt. See
our website for a full list of stockists. Here’s some great events to visit where
you can find us in the run up to Christmas:
Save the Children Fundraiser
Marine Hotel, North Berwick
Sunday 23rd Nov
Peebles Christmas Craft Fair
Burgh Hall, Peebles
Saturday 6th Dec, 10am - 4pm
The Twelve Tastes of Christmas
Knowes Farm Shop, East Lothian
20th Dec - 23rd Dec
And of course we will be attendingHaddington Farmers Market on 29th
November and 20th December,
and we’ll be at the Edinburgh Farmers Markets every fortnight beginning 25th
October.
Hope to see you there!
www.thewww.the-chocolatechocolate- tree.co.uk
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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
Situated on the edge of the Lammermuir Hills near Duns
FREE RANGE ORGANIC EGGS
Our eggs can be purchased from following outlets:
Borders Fayre, Duns
The Green Shop, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick Garden Centre
Kelso Wholefoods
Cornhill Village Shop
The Alnwick Deli
Tullys, Rothbury
Johnsons Butcher, Wooler
G & S Organics
We also supply a number of caterers
WINDSHIEL PORK, BEEF & LAMB
Purchase meat direct from the farm:
Pork from Tamworth pigs, Aberdeen Angus suckler beef,
lamb and mutton from our hill flock of Lleyn sheep, all
reared outdoors in the Lammermuir Hills.
All meat is slaughtered at Scottish Borders Abattoir in
Galashiels and butchered by Freeland Foods, Kelso.
EJ & SE BAKER
WINDSHIEL FARM
Nr DUNS
BERWICKSHIRE
TD11 3TU
Tel: 01361 883863
Email: [email protected]
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Organic Christmas Ideas
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Ruthy’s is a new organic food company certified by SOPA , making organic scone premixes. We’ve tried these scones in the office.
They come highly recommended .
15
ER
Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
Coco’s of Bruntsfield
Rebecca Knights-Kerswell, Owner & Head Chocolatier at
Coco’s of Bruntsfield offers a stunning range of connoisseur organic chocolates.
The designer range of hand made chocolates includes a number of prize-winning
delights such as infused organic chocolate bars, the signature
Sirens range with gift
bags, gift boxes and even Advent Calendars—there is an inspired taste to suit all.
Rebecca explores new boundaries in chocolatier design—her stunning flavours include rose and ginger,
chilli and earl grey amongst a great many more. Christmas treats for 2008 include Coco Christmas
Selection with delights such as Dark Chocolate with Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, Organic Milk with
Christmas Spice, Organic White with Cranberry and Cinnamon & Nutmeg
For that special experience call into the beautiful shop at 174 Bruntsfield Road, Edinburgh where Rebecca’s
trained staff offer a charming experience explaining the chocolates from bean to bar, serve liqueurs and
muscats to enhance that chocolate experience, or you can enjoy the finest Italian Massimo coffees and
loose leaf teas.
Rebecca also offers famous Chocolate Connoisseur Taster Evenings where you can become a certified
Chocolate Connoi sseur. Meet new friends and taste the range, with the chance to try rare, single origin
chocolates accompanied by a fortified French granache.
The luxury goes on and on at Cocos….
Coco Chocolate can also be bought exclusively at Harvey Nichols UK luxury Foodmarkets or go online at
www.buycoco.co.uk for delivery throughout the UK.
Let the Coco Sirens Tempt You to Chocolate Bliss
Rebecca Knights-Kerswell
Owner & Head Chocolatier
Coco Chocolate
Telephone 0131 228 4526
www.cocochocolate.co.uk
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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
Mollinsburn Organics is a farm shop and online box scheme based in Mollinsburn, near Glasgow.
What started out as a small organic outlet has grown beyond all expectations and now the family
business is expanding even further. The shop opened in 2007 and with exceptional growth and support from local shoppers, it is now too small and Ian and Caroline Baillie (father and daughter) are
investigating further property space to house all the fruit, veg, Wholefoods and meat & poultry.
Caroline is always on the lookout for new product lines to offer to the shop and online customers
and there are a number of SOPA certified businesses who supply Mollinsburn Organics—a great
example of using Scottish suppliers to improve small business networks. At Mollinsburn’s you can
buy Mrs Hamilton’s organic lamb, Mull Organics muesli and Bandirran Garden veg, amongst a whole
lot more.
Box scheme deliveries are available throughout Glasgow and the Central belt but call Ian to check.
A new offering for Christmas are organic gift hampers and gift baskets, starting at £30 with delivery
available throughout Scotland.
Go online to www.mollinsburnorganics.co.uk to find out the full range and order online, or contact
Ian and Caroline direct on the order line 07847 181 063.
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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
Welcome to C air ns Far m, the home of Mr s Hamilton's
or ganic beef and lamb and mutt on. Tender and
succulent meat, br ed and r ear ed in the Pentland Hi lls.
Our pr oducts have ver y low food mi les, we car efully
matur e and hand le all our stock on our land to ensur e
the highest standar ds of tr aceability.
We have cr eated our own butc her y onsite and a shop
selli ng our meats and pr oduce fr om local suppli er s.
Where to buy
Go online to www.mrshamilton.com
Come and visit us—our fCairns Farm Shop is open Thursdays
and Fridays 1pm—7pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm
Find us at Edinburgh Farmers Market every Saturday
Balerno Farmers Market every second Saturday and
Linlithgow every fourth Sunday
Telephone 01506 881 510
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Organic Christmas Ideas from SOPA members
ABOUT BORDER MERINGUES
In the early days, before Sharon formed the well known Borders company Border Meringues, little did she realise that making meringues from left-over egg whites from a friend making quiches would end up turning into a
full time job and support a business. Today, this very business now supplies over 25 delis and speciality shops.
Although our meringues are sweet on the outside, they are full of healthy ingredients including organic eggs
and sugar. They are also fat-free and glutten-free. Nowadays, the company has grown and evolved so much
that Border Meringues now has premises in Jedburgh as well as the farm-based kitchen where the business
started out in Morebattle, near Kelso in the heart of the Scottish Borders.
Border Meringues makes over one million merin gues per year!
MERINGUES WE MAKE
Meringue Shells
—Mini Meringue Shells
—Pavlova Cases
—Meringue Nests
—Mini Meringue Nests
—Mini Meringues drizzled in Chocolate
—Meringue Nests drizzled in Chocolate
We can make meringues in all shapes, sizes and even colours.
If you have a special occasion call Sharon on 01573 440787 to discuss your requirements.
WHERE TO BUY
Throughout southern Scotland and Northern England
Westmoorland Service Station, M6 South
Low Sizergh Barns, Kendal
Lairds Larder, Haughton Hall Garden Centre, Carlisle
Gretna Green Food Hall, Gretna
Juniper Fine Foods, Dumfries
Country Kitchen, Melrose
Lees Buthcers, Kelso & Yetholm
Turnbulls, Hawick
Baxters, Selkirk
Asda, Galashiels
Teviot Game fair Smokery and Water Garderns, Kelso
ASDA, Dunbar
Fishermans Kitchen, North Berwick
Baxters, Ocean Terminal & Kelty
Dobbies Garden Centres, Dalkeith & Stirling
Allan Hill Fruit Farm, St. Andrews (Seasonal only)
East Ord Garden Centre, Berwick upon Tweed
Dobbies Garden Centres, Ponteland
Blagdon Farm Shop, Near Newcastle
Crinions, Lanchester, County Durham
Cranstons Food Hall, Penrith
J & J Grahams, Penrith
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CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE
• Lim /Blonde X hie fe rs for sale . 18mths old. Home bred and fully organic. Call Andy Cadzow on
07768 938470. Mid Lothian.
• 50acres grass plus stubbles for store lamb grazing or e we winte ring. Contact Archie Ste wart
(SOPA 826) on 07789 220 469 or 01573 225 028. Ke lso.
Approx 15t of Oats (Firth) available in the Turriff/ Abe rchirde r area. FULLY ORGANIC. Contact
Paul (SOPA 860) 01466 780573
•
up to 30t organic peas available . Tele phone Brian Hepburn SOPA 009 on mobile 07801651370.
Moray.
•
GallowayX/Blue Gre y bulling he ife rs for sale . 18 months old. Contact Forbes Gauld (SOPA 591)
on 07776 145 025. Pe rthshire .
•
• 18 in-calf organic heife rs (Je rse yX and Ayrshire X) to Je rse y bull. Te l Stuart Ramsay on mobile
07931 497 288. Stranrae r.
1 he ife r and 2 bullock s born March/April 2007.AA cross. Fully organic.All in good condition. Te l
Val or Norman C rank. SOPA. Te l: 01988 700518. W igtownshire .
•
• Pure breed She tland cattle . O rganic and from She tland He rd Book. Young breeding stock available . SOPA 428. ER & ST Balfour. te l 01806 522 619. She tland.
• 90t oats 90t barle y 60t wheat all 2nd year inconve rsion dried ex cellent quality contact ke nne th
mob 07734702579. Inve rurie.
• approx 100t O rganic spring barle y (Westminste r), dried and stored. Contact the Bruges (SOPA
721) on 01350 724 241. Pe rthshire .
30 Shorthorn cross calves,15 he ife rs,15 bullocks.March/April born. 7 Store bullock s,shorthorn
cross,18 months. 10 Cows,conve rted breeding stock ,8-10 years old,AA&Lim.cross.Been running
with AA bull since June.Te l David Murray, SOPA 200. 01887 820808 or mob 07533 123749. Abe rfe ldy.
•
2nd year conve rsion grain for sale , all drie d and good quality. 40t Spring Barle y, 100t oats and
10 t Wheat. Please contact Jon 07967089356. SOPA 911. Laude r.
•
Wanted
Grazing/W inte ring wanted for 150-200 lambs. Te l.01887 820808 mob.07533 123749. SOPA
200 David Murray. Abe rfe ldy.
•
• O rganic feeding straw and hay wanted, any quantity conside red. Tel Stuart Ramsay SOPA 363
on mobile 07931 497 288. Stranrae r.
•
Wee bales of organic hay re quired, will take any quantity. Please te lephone Mr Fe rguson on
01581 600 255. W igtownshire .
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