Scotland has historically had a relatively disorganised livestock marketing system that weakened the negotiating power of organic producers resulting in low price premium and general uncertainty throughout the food chain.
Caledonian Organics plugs the gap that existed in Organic marketing. Until CalOrg's launch organic livestock marketing had been treated as an 'add on' to conventional marketing. CalOrg focuses on organic livestock and is an independent, organic farmer owned group operating for the benefit of our members.
Recent months have seen a combination of factors that have eroded the organic premium for red meat. Firstly, rising prices for conventional meat eroded the organic premium, although organic farmers still enjoyed prices similar to previous years. The economic downturn has put pressure on consumer demand for all organic produce. Supermarket demand fell in the region of 12% for red meat, despite shelf prices for organic packed meat maintaining a premium over equivalent cuts of non-organic meat products. In recent months consumer demand appears to have stabilised and while not increasing to pre-recession levels it is not declining any further. Combined with difficulties for organic farmers to secure government support for organic maintenance through the Scottish Rural Development Programme, the past year has been a testing time for Scottish organic farmers.
In the face of these testing times it is more important than ever that we work together to protect our market. It is only through collaborative marketing that we can co-ordinate a continuous supply to the meat processors. Selling through CalOrg gives us strength in numbers.
For all your organic procurement speak to David Marshall of Farm Stock Scotland. Mobile 07808 329719 or email here.
CalOrg have joined FarmStock to take advantage of the wealth of expertise they bring to procuring beef and lamb. FarmStock run a small but highly proficient office and see an exciting future with CalOrg members.
We definitely need to invigorate the role of CalOrg in the marketplace as we have gone through a few months of resettling after Brigitte and Mark moved to Australia, and FarmStock will bring strength and continuity.
David and Marjory in the FarmStock Office bring years of experience in the red meat industry so they know who to speak to and are determined to look after CalOrg members personally. If you wish to discuss latest prices, supply predicitions, store or fat animals, breeding or nulliparous (gimmers or bulling heifers) just call David on 07808 329719 or Marjory in the office 01750 723366.
Caledonian Organics is developing a future for itself and strengthening the negotiating power of organic farmers. We have already had a positive impact on the price, and as more members join we will be in a position to negotiate even better price deals. By balancing out supply and improving quality the group benefits processors, which in turn further strengthens CalOrg's negotiating position in the market. We are working very hard to bring real structure and stability to the organic beef and sheep markets. This will allow producers to plan ahead - our long term aim. We provide a professional service to our members, and are contributing to a more organised and united supply chain.
ROSS PATON
Auchencairn
Ross has been farming for 20 years in partnership with his sister Lee on an 830 acre SA licensed unit at Auchencairn near Castle-Douglas. The farm has been in the family since 1947 and started conversion in 2000.
Enterprises are dairy (150), beef (finishing 80-100 PA) and cereals (100 Acres). Replacements are reared on the unit and there is also a big area of woodland. Walking and conservation are actively encouraged on the farm and a new path network has just been established in conjunction with the local community.
The farm lies on the Solway coast overlooking the Cumbrian Mountains.
Ross is 46 years old and lives with his partner Steph and two children. He was educated in Auchencairn primary school, Kirkcudbright Academy, Cumbria College of Agriculture Newton Rigg and University of Stirling.
Ross' interests include helping run the local youth club, cycling, walking, reading, playing guitar, listening to music, messing about with PCs , playing computer games on and off- line and drinking wine, beer and whisky (responsibly of course). He is also chairman of the local Initiative group. He likes ski-ing too. And vintage aeroplanes, especially WWII era.
DAVID FINLAY
Dumfries & Galloway
Degree in agriculture at Aberdeen University.
Agricultural adviser for SAC for 10 years.
Farming for 20 years.
850 acres rugged all grass farm near Castle Douglas in SW Scotland mixed livestock farm with approximately 650 sheep, 85 dairy cows and 35 beef cows. Dairy, beef and sheep converted to organic 1999, diversified into tourism and ice cream manufacture 1994, now employing 28 full time and 35 part time and seasonal staff.
Every animal bred on the farm not kept for breeding is finished and sold through Cal Org (except pure Ayrshire bullocks which are finished at 3 - 3.5 yr old, hung for 3 -4 weeks and sold as packed meat or hot meals through our visitor centre on the farm.) 5% of milk produced is used for our own ice cream. The balance is sold through the organic milk co-operative OMSCO, Scotland.
ANDREW LORRAINE-SMITH
Lanarkshire
Andrew's family moved to Hagbrae Farm in Midlothian in 1950. He took over in 1968 and converted to organic in 1991. He currently has 100 dairy cows and a small flock of south country cheviots.
KEN COOPER
Aberdeenshire
DEBS ROBERTS
Perthshire
Farmton comprises 500 acres and is a traditional mixed enterprise. We converted 250 acres to organic production in 1999 and a further 70 entered conversion in 2005. The last tranche of 150 acres entered organic conversion in the autumn of 2006, without Organic Aid Scheme support. Cereals grown are spring oats, spring wheat and field beans. The suckler herd is up to 55 cows, split between autumn and spring calving. We have no sheep but let organic winter forage.
Being committed to the organic production system, Debs signed up for the SAC postgraduate course in organic agriculture, studied part time from home and graduated in 2004. Her personal approach to Caledonian Organics is enthusiastic commitment to any means which improves the supply chain for organic produce in Scotland. She believes the industry needs professional and expert marketing skills directly targeting lucrative and secure markets for its produce.
JEREMY SHARMAN
Aberdeenshire
Farms 180 acres + 40 acres rented at Whitecaims, Aberdeenshire. 40 suckler cows approx. 120 head of cattle. Currently increasing the acreage of vegetables supplying to a local box scheme.