9/9/09

Meeting the market requirements for organic lamb

An event to be held at ADAS Pwllpeiran on 22 September 2009 will be an opportunity for farmers to find out more about marketing organic lamb. It is being organized by ADAS on behalf of Organic Centre Wales as part of the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme.

The event will include presentations from Organic Centre Wales, ADAS Pwllpeiran, Dunbia and Rumenco and a demonstration of finished lambs from different crosses of hill sheep.

Organic lamb is a niche market supplying predominantly high value quality cuts and either diced or minced lamb for added-value products such as ready meals. The carcass requirements for organic lamb are high, and lambs not meeting the specification may have to be sold on the conventional market.

Another problem is that much Welsh organic lamb is finished in the autumn or early winter with shortages of supply at other times of the year .

Owen Davies, Manager of ADAS Pwllpeiran, said: “This workshop will highlight the opportunities for organic lamb and provide some production options to enable optimum premiums to be realized. An understanding of the requirements of the organic market is essential to allow us to make the most of our production.”

The event starts at 10.00 and finishes at 3.30pm. It is free, but you should register with Phil Jones on 01970 622248 to ensure a place and check the arrangements.

Ends

Further information

Phil Jones, Helpline Officer, Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth University 01970 622248

Mari Jones, Knowledge Transfer Officer, Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth University 07791 442498

Notes for editors

1. Organic Centre Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide information on organic food and farming to producers, food businesses, consumers and others. It is based at Aberystwyth University and run by a partnership consisting of the ADAS, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University. See www.organic.aber.ac.uk.

2. The Organic Conversion Information Service (01970 622100) is funded by WAG to provide information to producers considering conversion – an information pack and up to three free on-farm visits are available.

3. The Minister recently announced that additional money will be made available to support organic conversions. A window of application for the Organic Farming Scheme is expected to open in the autumn. Further information can be obtained from WAG Divisional Offices and OCW. To qualify, farms need to be certified as organic by a recognised body and have completed an OFS application form which needs to be accepted by WAG. OCIS can be used to help farmers prepare their applications.

4. Farming Connect, working closely with its partner organisations, provides one to one support, knowledge, expertise, training and advisory services tailored to the needs of farmers in Wales. Many of these services are fully funded or subsidised and the service is both flexible and accessible. You can register with the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813 or contact Farming Connect directly at your nearest WAG Divisional Office. OCW is funded by Farming Connect to deliver the Organic Development Programme.

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