This report describes the performance of the organic unit until 2001 under the headings soil fertility, grassland, animal performance, and marketing and financial performance. It notes that organic production in the uplands is limited by the lack of opportunity to grow arable crops, the difficulties of growing legumes such as clover, and shortages of farmyard manure, organic fertilizers and farm-produced feeds. Because declining soil fertility is a constraint in high rainfall, hilly areas, regular soil testing is recommended and the organic sector bodies are urged to reconsider the standards to allow more regular input of permitted P and K fertilizers than on lowland and mixed farms. 

Combining organic farming with agri-environment schemes (ESA payments) added to the farm's income, but environmental prescriptions place further limits on production and the advantages of such schemes need to be weighed carefully.