Organic Conversion Plan Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide

 
Completing an Organic
Conversion Plan
 
Components of a Conversion Plan
 
A conversion plan is made up of three broad components.
 
Characteristics of
the holding
 
Characteristics such as the physical
layout of the holding.
Area being entered into conversion
marked on clear eligible BPS maps.
Soil type, drainage, topography,
aspect, areas of conservation value
eg: wetlands, woodlands etc.
Known disease potential on the
holding eg: blackleg, TB, crop
diseases.
Known soil/mineral deficiencies
backed up with recent justifications/
soil analysis for the holding.
Current fertility levels of the holding,
P,K and Lime.
 
Every holding across the country is made up
of characteristics that set it apart from
everything else. No two holdings are the
same therefore no two conversion plans are
the same. Some of the best conversion plans
received are from the operators themselves
as they know their holding better than
anyone else. The conversion plan should
contain details on the following
characteristics of the holding.
 
Enterprise
Details
 
Accurate details about the enterprise
your converting to organic production
is an essential element of the
conversion plan
Details such as livestock on farm
(types, breeds, numbers,) and/or crops
grown on farm (tillage, horticulture)
are all required to get a full accurate
image of the holding.
Infrastructure such as animal housing,
polytunnels, grain storage should be
sketched out and attached to the
conversion plan.
Details of current cropping/rotation
schedule should be supplied alongside
how these rotations will help maintain
and enhance soil fertility.
 
Management in conversion
and in organic production
 
It is important to have details of
future management in the conversion
plan.
Detail how current/future enterprises
will be managed to the organic
standards.
Provide accurate land area figures as
per BPS mapping.
Provide up to date soil analysis for the
land area entering conversion to
organic production.
Provide details of future
cropping/rotation schedule for the
area which crops will be sown.
Provide grazing plan/rotation for
livestock including areas for fodder
production.
 
 
Careful management of the holding when it
begins its two year conversion period will be
required to ensure a seamless conversion
period from conventional to organic
production. The more information that is
suppled in an organic conversion plan, the
easier it will be to manage the holding to the
correct standards going forward.
 
Management
in conversion
and organic
production
 
Conventional Enterprises
 
Should you only be converting part of your holding to
organic production, details must be included in your
conversion plan as to how organic and conventional
enterprises will be maintained clearly separate.
Clear segregation will need to be ensured at all times
so there is no risk of substitution between organic and
conventional produce.
Separate housing/storage facilities will need to be
ensured so livestock/produce can be clearly
identified.
Details of land being omitted from organic production
need to be clearly identifiable by map attached to the
conversion plan.
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Understanding the key components of an organic conversion plan is crucial for effective management of agricultural holdings. Explore the characteristics of the holding, enterprise details, and future management strategies outlined in the plan to ensure a smooth transition to organic production. Accurate information on past, present, and future management practices, as well as details of the enterprise and soil analysis, are essential for a successful organic conversion.


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  1. Completing an Organic Conversion Plan

  2. Components of a Conversion Plan A conversion plan is made up of three broad components. How the holding has been managed in previous years Past How the holding is being managed currently Present How you envisage the holding being managed going forward in organic production Future

  3. Characteristics of the holding Characteristics such as the physical layout of the holding. Area being entered into conversion marked on clear eligible BPS maps. Soil type, drainage, topography, aspect, areas of conservation value eg: wetlands, woodlands etc. Every holding across the country is made up of characteristics that set it apart from everything else. No two holdings are the same therefore no two conversion plans are the same. Some of the best conversion plans received are from the operators themselves as they know their holding better than anyone else. The conversion plan should contain details on the following characteristics of the holding. Known disease potential on the holding eg: blackleg, TB, crop diseases. Known soil/mineral deficiencies backed up with recent justifications/ soil analysis for the holding. Current fertility levels of the holding, P,K and Lime.

  4. Accurate details about the enterprise your converting to organic production is an essential element of the conversion plan Details such as livestock on farm (types, breeds, numbers,) and/or crops grown on farm (tillage, horticulture) are all required to get a full accurate image of the holding. Enterprise Details Infrastructure such as animal housing, polytunnels, grain storage should be sketched out and attached to the conversion plan. Details of current cropping/rotation schedule should be supplied alongside how these rotations will help maintain and enhance soil fertility.

  5. It is important to have details of future management in the conversion plan. Management in conversion and in organic production Detail how current/future enterprises will be managed to the organic standards. Careful management of the holding when it begins its two year conversion period will be required to ensure a seamless conversion period from conventional to organic production. The more information that is suppled in an organic conversion plan, the easier it will be to manage the holding to the correct standards going forward. Provide accurate land area figures as per BPS mapping. Provide up to date soil analysis for the land area entering conversion to organic production. Provide details of future cropping/rotation schedule for the area which crops will be sown. Provide grazing plan/rotation for livestock including areas for fodder production.

  6. Details of source of supplementary feeds for livestock and where these will be sourced. Include Management in conversion and organic production Supporting veterinary justifications required such as letters, blood analysis, faecal analysis to show the need for vaccines, dosing requirements, mineral usage. Provide Details of how to make animal housing compliant including source of bedding material required. Provide Details of Restricted Veterinary Practices that will be carried out on the holding on an annual basis. Submit

  7. Conventional Enterprises Should you only be converting part of your holding to organic production, details must be included in your conversion plan as to how organic and conventional enterprises will be maintained clearly separate. Clear segregation will need to be ensured at all times so there is no risk of substitution between organic and conventional produce. Separate housing/storage facilities will need to be ensured so livestock/produce can be clearly identified. Details of land being omitted from organic production need to be clearly identifiable by map attached to the conversion plan.

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