Farm to showcase switch to organic

An organic poultry business has been unveiled as the host farm for this year’s Livestock in Low Input Systems (LILIS) conference.

The event, which is organised by the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) in association with Organic Farmers and Growers, will be staged at Gordon Whiteford’s Lower Mill of Tynet farm, near Fochabers.

It takes place on Friday June 16 from 11am to 3pm and sets out to explore the successes and challenges of livestock production in organic, upland and similar low-input systems.

Topics up for discussion at this year’s event include the use of intercropping and companion planting, and how simple innovations can boost the productive yield from grass swards.

Mr Whiteford is a firstgeneration farmer on Fochabers Estate where he runs two flocks of 2,000 British Black Tails for organic egg production on the 128-acre Lower Mill of Tynet farm.

He first ventured into organics in 2005 by renting a field in Ardersier, near Inverness, to establish an organic poultry enterprise.

He then took on the tenancy at Lower Mill of Tynet in 2012 and last year the farm entered conversion to organic production with a mix of enterprises including the laying hens, as well as sheep, cattle and arable.

SOPA policy manager Debs Robert said visitors to the conference would get the chance to view a farm nearing the end of its organic conversion period.

“We’re really interested to explore how farmers are moving away from the subsidy-based culture and adopting simple techniques that improve yield without intensive use of inputs such as fertilisers. LILIS gives us a stage to discuss these ideas.”

Tickets for the event cost £31.54, including VAT and a booking fee. They can be booked online at http://tinyurl. com/krcgdup.