A Decision Case Study: Transitioning to Organic Dairying

Transcription

1 A Decision Case Study: Transitioning to Organic Dairying

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3 Brigham Young University Idaho Agricultural Science Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Conservationist ú Ogden, Utah & Rupert, Idaho Iowa State University Started Fall of 2007

4 Focused on sustainable agriculture Beneficial for my families farm Be applicable to others

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6 Brent Sterling

7 70 cow dairy 160 head beef cow/calf operation 400 acres 180 ac crop 220 ac pastures

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10 Dairy Farmers of America Cooperative Milk picked up every other day Pure Holstein Cows A.I.

11 Milk Cows Pasture in summer Alfalfa hay fed September to May Barley fed in the barn all year

12 Dry Cows Dry for 60 days Pastured with beef cows during summer Fed hay during the winter

13 Bull and crossbred calves sold as day old Heifers raised for replacement Weaned at 2 months Receive hay and grain until 8 months Hay and pasture (summer)

14 Breeding starts at 16 months Group is bred for 2 months Turned in with beef bull for cleanup Kept with dry cows until they calve

15 Jan to May Fed Hay March Calve June to Sept 90 pair on Range, 70 pair pasture Calves sold in November

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17 All ground irrigated Crops Pivot, Wheel line, & Hand line Pastures Flood Water well and surface water available

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19 Soil Name Symbol Texture Prime Blackfoot Loam, drained Bd Loam X Firth Sandy Loam Fr Sandy Loam X Firth Sandy Loam, drained Fs Sandy Loam X Fulmer Loam Fu Loam Fulmer Loam, drained Fv Loam X LaJara Sandy Loam La Sandy Loam LaJara Sandy Loam, drained Ld Sandy Loam X Presto Loamy sand Pw Loamy Sand Weeding Loamy Sand We Loamy Sand Wolverine Sand, rolling WOF Sand

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21 Stand typically last 5-6 years Yields 5-6 tons 3-4 cuttings / year Grazed by beef cows in the fall Fertilizer is applied every other year Sprayed for weeds the 2 nd year

22 2 years in the rotation Yields about 110 bu/ac Volunteer grain is grazed Sprayed for weeds and Cereal Leaf Beetle Nitrogen applied in 2 nd year

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24 Cool season grass / legume mixes Rotational grazing 1-2 pasture cut for hay each year Weeds are spot sprayed each year Some manure is applied, no commercial fertilizer

25 Field Name Acres Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 4 Ashley's 9.6 C C C C G G G G 5 Old House 5.8 C C C C G G G G 6 17 ac 17 C C C C G G G G 7 Arley's 13.1 G O O O S S S S G 8 Wilde's 12 M M M M G G G M M M 9 Calf 1 M M M M M G M G M G M G M M M M 11 Goldie's 5.7 M M M M G G G G G M M M 13 Across Canal 7.5 G G G G G 14 Behind Barn 6.3 G G G G G 15 Behind House 5.9 M M M M M G G G M M 16 Behind Sandhill 8.7 C C C C G G G G 17 Frog Pond 13.3 C C C C G G G G 19 Wilmot's pasture 35.2 G G G 20 Pink House 18.6 G G G 21 Middle 17.8 G G G 22 Boyr's 36.4 G G G

26 Remaining Debt Free is high priority Farm supports 2 families Dairy is the main sources of income Labor provided by Brent and Sterling

27 Yearly Labor H our s Barley Alfalfa Sprinklers Past w/irr Beef Dairy Week

28 Should Hatches convert the Dairy to Organic Production?

29 Learn the specifics of National Organic Program rules Increase understanding of obstacles involved in transitioning to organic production Identify ways to overcome challenges

30 Part 1 What additional information is needed about the farm? Why? Define Brent and Sterling s goals for the farm (economic, farming, etc) What issues are Brent and Sterling facing as conventional farmers?

31 Part 2 What aspects of the Hatches farm fit with NOP rules or would make a transition to organic easier? What are the National Organic Program rules that would affect the Hatch Dairy? What other concerns will Brent and Sterling need to address before transitioning to organic?

32 Organic System Plan needed for certification Updated yearly Records required to document Crop management Animal management Feed origin etc

33 No Prohibited Pesticides Cereal Leaf Beetle Predator insects Organic approved insecticides Canada Thistle Thicker pastures Parasitic wasp Quackgrass Tillage

34 No Commercial Fertilizers Manure from dairy Cover Crops Purchase manure or compost OMRI certified fertilizers ú Soft rock phosphate ú Sulfate of potassium

35 No Antibiotic Probiotics Homeopathy Essential Oils Vitamins, Minerals Alternative Treatments for Ruminant Animals Dr. Paul Dettloff

36 Where can feed be purchased ISDA published list Organic producers and crops Purchase out of area & haul in Conventional hay for beef cows

37 How long is the transition period? Crop and pasture 3 years Cows 1 year Concurrent with last year of land transition Feed for cows can come from the operations transitioning ground

38 Who is going to buy the milk? Organic Valley Cooperative - plant & producers within 2 hrs Will contract to buy milk when cows start transition

39 Certification and Inspection fees Buy-in to cooperative Production costs Assistance USDA-ARS help with certification cost USDA-NRCS cost to improve resource base ú Cover crops, grazing system, nutrient management

40 Part 3 What additional options would Brent and Sterling have to address the roadblocks they identified? If you were a consultant for Brent and Sterling, would you recommend that they transition their dairy to organic production?

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