Pasture Perfect Organics

Spring has Sprung with wonderful rain and lovely warm weather to help things to grow.  Just a few lines to let you know what is happening:

ON FARM:

This Photo was taken today by Jack on his mobile so please forgive the grainy quality.  We just thought you might like to see the pigs like we do.

We have planted quite a bit of pasture for our pigs lately instead of planting grain.  This should do a few great things:

1. Cut down on the running of tractors for the usual ploughing, planting, harvesting cycle.  ie less emmissions and cost.
2. Increase carbon sequestering (Pastures can pull carbon from the air and store it in the soil)
3. Decrease our need for off farm high protein grains/pulses.
4. Make the pigs happier (you never see them quite as happy as when they are in a field of green) whoever said “happy as a pig in mud”, must never have seen pigs dancing about in a luscious green pasture.
5. Permanent pastures use less water and help the soil to retain more moisture, making it more water efficient than planting a grain crop.

Its really lovely to watch a pig grazing, see the tail curl up and wag in delight as it takes mouthful after mouthful of green feed.  Another wonderful benefit of pigs eating green feed is that is makes the fat higher in Omega fatty acids. 

Market:

ORGANIC EXPO 2008 STAND

We were delighted to attend the organic expo in Sydney this year. July 25th to 27th.  Quite a few people got to sample the certified organic smallgoods that we are now having made, and loved them.  It was great to meet heaps of people passionate about organics, but also passionate about great tasting food.

ORGANIC

The draft of the new national standard for organic and biodynamic production has been available for public comment.
It stipulates requirements for the production, preparation, transportation, marketing and labelling of organic and biodynamic products.

The draft standard will:

• Provide clear definitions about what is organic and what is not,

• Protect consumers against unsubstantiated claims and misleading labelling,

Standards Australia is working towards publishing the Australian Standard by December 2008.

Although there has been an Australian Standard for Organic, it has only been enforceable on misrepresentation of the word organic when it comes to EXPORT.

This is great news for the Australian consumer as it means that only certified organic produce can be labelled or described as organic. It is also great news for the certified organic producers, as we will no longer need to compete with people misleading the public. 

Have a great week!

Miriam & Jack