Some of the concepts and practices used by organic dairy farmers can beadopted by conventional farmers to minimise costs of production and improveprofitability, according to a new booklet from the Milk Development Council(MDC).
Organic concepts for conventional production covers the use of herbagelegumes to reduce fertiliser needs and improve feed quality; the productionof home grown cereals and grain proteins; maximising the use of animalmanures to reduce the need for bought in P and K fertilisers; and increasingthe emphasis on preventative management for disease control.
Charlotte Bullock, portfolio manager at the MDC, says: "Organic dairyfarming is based on managing natural biological cycles and ecologicalprocesses instead of relying on external inputs such as fertilisers,pesticides and veterinary drugs. Reduced reliance on purchased inputs meansthere are opportunities to reduce costs.
"Conventional dairy farmers can benefit from using many of these ideas ontheir farms to reduce costs and improve returns."
To order your copy of the booklet contact the MDC on 01285 646510 or emailpublications@mdc.org.uk.
