Organic Livestock News

Organic Livestock E-Circular #9

2008-02-28T23:07:49Z

Dear Organic Livestock news subscriber,

Please find below the latest "To Buy /To Sell" classifieds on the BFA website for livestock, feed and agistment.

Please note the classifieds can be viewed for updates at any time by visiting the website: http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/

Any new classifieds can be posted free by BFA members at any time at this same site. If you have trouble listing your own, please write to email livestock-broadacre@bfa.com.au for assistance.

Best regards,
Holly Vyner
PR Coordinator
Email: media@bfa.com.au, Phone: 07 3350 5716 ext 233
BIOLOGICAL FARMERS OF AUSTRALIA
The BFA Group "Celebrating 20 years 1987 - 2007"
Web: www.bfa.com.au

***CATTLE FOR SALE

Santa cattle for sale
340 Santa cows and calves, 0-8 months.
Looking for quick sale now at Longreach
ACO Certification 10632A (James Pearson)
Contact Peter on 0427 574 941

10229A Organic cows PTIC Walcha NSW
2 decks Hereford/Angus cross cows 3-6 years old. PTIC to Angus bulls. Due to calf in July/August.
2 decks Brahman cross cows 6 years old. PTIC to Angus bulls, drop July/August.USDA $850-00 per cow. Transport is available. Phone 02 67775901

r & j unger
Poll hereford cattle.
Good dooers, quiet. Biodynamically certified. Peak Hill NSW ph 0268697635 Ray Unger

Cattle 4 sale
ORGANIC CERTIFIED FOR 4-5 YEARS
USDA CERTIFIED SINCE OCT 07
CATTLE BREED IS DROUGHTMASTER NUCLEUS
x CHARALOIS(PALGROVE)x BRAHMAN + splash of Hereford
Located 260kms n/west Alice Springs N.T.
220/350kg Steers 0-2 tooth $1.85 kg 70 head
220/350kg Heifers 0-2 tooth $1.75kg 70 head
220/350kg Mickies 0-2 tooth $1.80kg 70 head
All prices are on place weighed Tennant Creek / Alice Springs and can be hand picked if preferred.
Also hand picked Cows (organic) $550+ calves (USDA) $150 up to 1500 units to be sold this year.
Up to 3000 head (total) to be sold this year including Bulls, Bullocks, Fat Cows and Maiden Heifers.
Note :- Property is free range and we will need at least a week notification before sale.
Lots to be sold as 3, 4 or 6 deck units.
ph (08)89568501
fax (08)89568775
email lines2@bigpond.com
Ask for Max or Chris

Business opportunity - Raw milk factory
Premium raw milk business opportunity
Lakes Entrance VIC
Established 1949
Dairy Food Safe Victoria licensed
Certified organic
Contact Sallie Jones
P. 03 51 55 2520
www.AphroditeDairy.com
E. Info@aphroditedairy.com

***CATTLE WANTED TO BUY

Steers
Wanted steers to background on weight gain basis or agistment available.
4544A (ACO & USDA)
Augathella, Qld.
Contact John Elmes ph.07 4654 5454

Organic Stores Wanted
Organic stores wanted for finishing on central queeensland property.Heifers up to 300kg prefered but would consider steers in same weight range. Pre-cert or in-conversion o.k.
e-mail smile4@bigpond.com.au
or phone Gavin Bailey 49981281

***WANTED: LIVESTOCK FOR AGISTMENT

Urgent - Quality Organic Grass
We have had huge summer rain and are offering 18,000 acres of quality ACO & USDA Accredited agistment (10652A). This is a great opportunity for a business to add scale to their enterprise, as we are looking for a long term arrangement with the right people.
Would prefer cattle, but will consider sheep or a combination of both.
Will give an exceptional rate & management for the right relationship with a minimum of 8,000 DSE required as soon as possible.
**If we cannot secure a suitable arrangement by the end of January, then we will regretably have to consider non-organic livestock.**
Please contact us ASAP.
Graham & Cathy Finlayson
Bokhara Plains,
Brewarrina. NSW 2839
02 68744921 / 0428168407
Email: bokharaplains@bigpond.com
Web: www.bokharaplains.com

Cattle required ASAP
Plenty of summer rain at Bokhara Plains, north of Brewarrina, western NSW.
Will take on 1,000 cattle for a minimum of four months as soon as possible.
Looking for long term arrangement with an organic breeder.
See previous ad for details.
Graham & Cathy Finlayson
Bokhara Plains, Brewarrina.
NSW. Ph: 0268744921 / 0428168407

***HAY FOR SALE

Lucerne Hay
Prime lucerne hay - large square bales - 100 tonne available - $400/t
Good quality lucerne with 10-20% grass - large square - 100 tonne available - $350/t
Slightly weather damaged lucerne hay - large square - $320/t
Inglewood, Qld
Certified ACO and USDA : 4368a
Call Rick McDougall 0429665762 or 0746521361

***SHEEP & LAMBS FOR SALE

Merino ewes
400 5,6,7 yo merino ewes joined to white dorper rams. 4544A (ACO & USDA) Augathella, Qld.
Contact John Elmes ph.07 4654 5454

r & j unger
185 merino ewes,2003 drop,january shorn,joined to border leicester rams,to lamb april.22 micron, fly & worm resistant.heavy cutting sheep. biodynamic cert no 2232bd. Peak Hill, NSW. ph ray unger 0268697635

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #8

2007-10-23T21:40:37Z

**** Organic Livestock E-Circular #8 ****

Dear industry member,

If you have news that you would like to submit for circulation in the Livestock Circular, please submit this at the link: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203.

To submit a classified ad (free service for BFA members) visit http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/

We hope you find this circular of interest and look forward to your feedback as always.

Holly Vyner
PR Coordinator

**** CLASSIFIED � LATEST ADVERTISMENTS ****

SHEEP AND LAMB FOR SALE

Ewes
440 Merino ewes, 4, 5 and 6 yo, January shorn, USDA & ACO certified
Augathella QLD
Ph 07 4654 5454 John Elmes

Merino Sheep
R & J Unger
Heavy cutting, medium micron wool, fly & worm resistant. Biodynamically cert. BFA 2232bd
Ph Ray Unger 0268697635
ungers@gobushmail.com

CATTLE FOR SALE

Steers
Description 90 cross bred steers, 400kg approx, ACO certified.
Augathella QLD
Ph 07 4654 5454 John Elmes

Poll Hereford cattle
Steers, heifers & cows
R & J Unger
Quiet, good do-ers, biodynamically certified
BFA cert no 2232bd
Ph Ray Unger 0268697635; ungers@gobushmail.com

HAY FOR SALE

Silage
30 tonne of top quality roundbales available ACO A cert. Will be protein testing etc.
Located Grenfell, NSW.
Ph. 02 6343 2663, Email okara@bluemaxx.com.au

WANTED

Hay To Buy
Straw or similar for orchard mulch
To buy up to 200 round bales straw suitable for mulching young orchard
Southern NSW district near Albury
M Done (02) 6020 2061

Livestock for Agistment
Cattle Wanted for Feb '08
700 - 1000 dry cattle wanted for agistment from the first week of February till the first week of June '08. (18 weeks). We are also looking for a long term arrangement after that with an Organic producer. For up to Four years, 8 to 10 months per year.
18,000 acres set up for cell grazing, 35 kms North of Brewarrina in Western NSW. 130 Kms south of the QLD border.
Fully certified with ACO & USDA.
Currently de-stocking completely for the summer in anticipation of rain, and we offer full management with excellent quiet livestock handling techniques utilised.
Please forward tenders or expressions of interest to:
Graham & Cathy Finlayson
"Bokhara Plains"
Brewarrina NSW 2839
Ph: 0268744921 / 0428168407
Email: bokharaplains@bigpond.com
Web: www.bokharaplains.com

REAL ESTATE

New South Wales
Certified Biodynamic & Organic Farm
For Sale 310 acre farm currently running beef, sheep and agistment cattle. Situated on far south coast 15min from beach. Large 3 bedroom home close to town. Has potential development section, creek, dams, fences & great sheds. Ph: 0429 937232

ACO Certified 'A' Organic Farm - Grafton
Grafton 36.02 HA/89 acres ACO certified A organic farm, fully arable with good pasture and shade trees. The property has 2 klms of creek frontage with 3 dams and 2 bores supplying ample water for organic produce which is sent to the Sydney and Melbourne markets for the past 15 years. Sheds are a colorbond packing shed with a 2.4 x 2.6 coolroom and machinery shed. Timber post and rail horse yards with shelters and automatic water troughs and a separate block stable with yard. The home is double brick with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, huge living areas and brand new kitchen. There is a separate 1 bedroom fully self contained flat. The property is situated 11 klms west of Grafton.
Price $675,000
Telephone - 02 66449500

Victoria
Organic Dairy Farm
This internationally recognised farm for its quality produce features:
Gently undulating and picturesque landscape
Certified organic by NASAA in 1989 as Australia�s first Organic Dairy Farm - NASAA Certified Bio-Dynamic.
3 Titles - 99.5Ha in 3 titles, good laneways to over 50 paddocks
1100mm (44 inch) average annual Rainfall, close to Wilson�s Promontory
Farm.
Located on Bitumen Rd 1km off the hwy 2 hours from Melbourne.
To read more please download the attached brochure including photos.
Contact: R & B Smith, ph 03 5683 2340, email orana@dcsi.net.au

Tasmania
Certified 'A' Grade Organic BFA/ OGA
Beside the Ringarooma River, zoned for rural residential, horticulture, tourism, education, this unspoilt five acre block offers superb views, an established herb garden, arable and grazing areas as well as enviable privacy despite its busy highway frontage.
It�s a perfect rural retreat, zoned to service tourists or just to enjoy. Why don�t you come and have a look, or look into it?
Contact Gwen on (03) 6354 2132. I�m selling because I�m over 80 - too old to cope.

**** TRAINING DAYS WORKSHOPS AND FIELD DAYS ****

The BFA offers several training packages for the organic industry. A summary is provided on each including the next course date as follows.

Organic Advisors Training Course
When: 19 - 22 November 2007
Where:National Environment Centre � Riverina Institute of TAFE Albury NSW
Cost: Advisor $1,275.00 (including GST)
Information Sheet: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/BFA%20Organic%20Advisors%20Course%20-%20Info%20Sheet.pdf
Application Form: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/BFA%20Advisors%20Course%20-%20Application%20Form.doc

Organic Auditing Training Course
When: 19 - 23 November 2007
Where:National Environment Centre � Riverina Institute of TAFE Albury NSW
Cost: Advisor $1375.00 (including GST)
Course Outline: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/BFA%20Organic%20Advisors%20Course%20-%20Info%20Sheet.pdf
Application Form: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/BFA

Organic On Farm Food Safety Training Course
When: TBA
Where: TBA
Cost: Advisor $275.00 (including GST)
Course Outline: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/BFA%20On%20Farm%20Food%20Safety%20Workshop%20-%20Info%20Sheet.pdfOn
Application Form: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/BFA

JAS Training Courses
JAS training courses are a requirement of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestries (MAFF) for those seeking certification to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS).
Training courses are generally held in main capital cities around Australia upon demand.
When: 30 November 2007
Where: Adelaide
Cost: Advisor $214.50 (including GST)
Application Form: http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/ACO_JAS%20Training_Processor_ADL_30NOV07.pdf

More information can be found at the following link; JAS Training Courses

Soil Health Workshops
A workshop is being held as part of Envirofund Round 7 Landcare project in conjunction with the BFA, for graziers interested in drought management using ecological approaches.
When: 3rd November between 9am and 3pm
Where: DPI Applethorpe Research Station, Stanthorpe QLD
Enquiries: Kristy Harvey, Stanthorpe Landcare Coordinator Ph. 4681 6145
All are asked to bring a cut lunch and morning tea/ drinks.

Soil Health Workshops
Workshops for addressing soil health with benefits for horticulture, grazing and cropping are being coordinated by BFA in conjunction with the Burekin Tropics NRM.
Clairmont & Bowen Workshops:
When & Where:
Clairmont, Qld Workshop: 13th November 2007, 9 till 3pm
Bowen Region, Qld Workshop: 15th November 2007, 9am till 3pm
Enquiries: Peter Arthofer, ph 07 4724 3544.
All are asked to bring a cut lunch and morning tea/ drinks.

Pialaway Workshop:
When & Where: Pialaway (between Surat and Condamine), Qld Workshop 28th November 2007, 9am till 3pm
Enquiries: Roger and Sandra Schwennesen, Ph 07 4623 5295
All are asked to bring a cut lunch and morning tea/ drinks.

To register your interest in a training course in your area Download an Expression of Interest Form

For more information on training contact the BFA Office
PO Box 530, Chermside Qld 4032
Ph. 07 3350 5716
Fax: 07 3350 5996
Email: info@bfa.com.au

**** NEWS AND STORIES OF INTEREST ****

The following articles appeared in the Queensland Country Life and Land Newspapers Markets Xtra Certified Organics Pages (written by the BFA and published the last Thursday of every month)
If you would like to contribute to these pages or advertise your business contact Adam Birkby at the BFA on (07) 3350 5716 Ext 236

**** AuctionsPlus delivers premium price for central Qld coastal bred certified organic cattle ****

AuctionsPlus provides an ideal facility to sell organic store cattle and sheep as the integrity of the cattle�s organic status is not threatened while allowing access to a broader market providing exposure to potential buyers nationally
This month ACO certified Cattle producer Nobbs Cattle Co received excellent results via the exposure and competition provided by AuctionsPlus Online weekly Internet sale.
Allan and Brett Nobbs offered and sold 292 steers from their Fitzroy Vale property on the Queensland Central Coast east of Rockhampton.
Bidding resulted in 94 steers being sold to EU producer John Howard, Mountain View, Biloela, weighing 320 to 390 av 349kg for 168.6c.
Two B/Doubles were purchased by Capella graziers Roger and Carolyn Lee to restock their Organic property Caroa paying 176.4c for 100 Brahaman steers weighing 280 to 320 av 309kg and another line of 96 steers weighing 320 to 390 av 350kg paying 166.8c.
The final bid price was some 16c to 26c above the vendor�s reserve. Up against trends influencing prices paid for cattle including the current price of grain, the Australian dollar and the season, it was an unexpected but very positive result with in the vendors receiving a larger than expected gross premium.
For enquiries into organic sales via AuctionsPlus please contact Landmark�s Queensland and Northern Territory AuctionsPlus State Coordinator Col Campbell on mob 0429 068 810 or email col.campbell@landmark.com.au.

**** Total clearance at organic wool sale ****

A feature sale of more than 220 bales of certified and accredited organic and �eco� wool in Melbourne has attracted strong demand from the international wool buying community which bought every bale on offer.
The total clearance of organic and eco wool was yet another clear indication that the increasing demand for Australian-grown organic wool shows no sign of abating. Elders Wool Portfolio Manager Geoff Redden said the feature sale generated premiums of up to 5 per cent above prices for corresponding non-organic wools offered on the day.
Mr Redden said the major buyers were Lempriere Australia and BWK Elders. Wool purchased by BWK Elders will be sent to its Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) fully-accredited organic wool processing facility in Bremen, Germany. The first wool mill in the world to receive GOTS certification.
Conducted in conjunction with the Elders Premier Wool catalogue, the feature sale comprised 122 bales of certified organic and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited wool. The bulk of the wool was sourced from the western division of New South Wales and South Australia�s Upper North.
Mr Redden said large retail organisations were currently seeking out commercial quantities of Australian wool as they developed their lines of organic clothing and homewares. �In response to the growing demand for these organic and eco wools an open auction is the best platform for marketing organic wools as it generates awareness and competition among the wool buying community and exposes organic wool to all buyers, markets and supply chains.� He said.
Meanwhile, Elders has received numerous inquiries from woolgrowers interested in conversion to organic production, according to Elders Wool Marketing Manager, Michael Blake. �In response, Elders has aligned itself with an organic certification facilitator to assist growers who want to know more about the steps involved in becoming accredited organic wool producers,� Mr Blake said.

**** Strong Market for Organic Lamb and Wool ****

With the trying times of the drought good premiums are still being received for organic lamb and wool clips. Mt Westwood Organics is an organic wool and prime lamb producer based 140KMS north of Broken Hill in NSW. Their wool is sourced from pure merino sheep and their organic prime lamb comprises of four different breeds � Damara, Merino, Dorper and Van-Rooy.
Over the past two years 120 bales of organic wool and 1700 organic lambs have been sold through the domestic market. Brendan Cullen of Mt Westwood says he has been impressed with the current organic market.
Their wool is sold through two different brokers, via auction with Elders and through the Australian Wool Networks tender process. �We have gained premiums of 10-15% above market value on the day the organic wool was sold. It is a nice change to be able to compete with the elite wools in the industry with our bread and butter pastoral wools. Our wools tested at 21-22 micron, 55-65% yield depending on conditions 40nkt�. Brendan says. At present organic wool only represents a very minor percentage of the industries wool clip. Brendan believes this will change rapidly in the next 10 years as more and more producers achieve similar success to his.
Their organic lamb is producing significant premiums as well. The 1700 lambs have been able to get premiums of $3 per kilo above conventional markets, maintained the entire two years. Brendan admits that over the past 6-8 months with the conventional price coming down, the organic price has followed suit but the gap between the two has been consistent. Brendan has found that the specifications for organic lamb are generally the same regardless of who you sell through. A premium price for 2-3 score lambs between 17-24kg. �You do not have to produce a fat lamb to compete with the elite lamb producers. As a general rule, pastoral country can not produce the fat lamb but we are very good at growing out large framed lambs due to the natural and non chemical promoted pastures�. Brendan says.
Brendan says two things organic lamb has not been able to do at this stage, or do very well have been to tap into the export market with any great conviction. �There is a lot more that needs to be done as the transparency between the growers and the exporters needs to happen on a more regular basis�. He says. �Organic mutton is another avenue needing attention. The other market that need to happen is �The domestic and export market of organic mutton is non existent. If someone was able to develop this and run with it the sky�s the limit �. Brendan says.

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #8

2007-10-23T21:30:42Z

Subscribe to Organic Livestock News via email by entering your email address below:

Organic Livestock E-Circular #8

2007-09-07T15:31:32Z

Dear industry member,

If you have news that you would like to submit for circulation in the Livestock Circular, please submit this at the link: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203.

To submit a classified ad (free service for BFA members) visit http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/

We hope you find this circular of interest and look forward to your feedback as always.

Holly Vyner
PR Coordinator

****CLASSIFIEDS � LATEST ENTRIES****

CATTLE FOR SALE
Weaner Steers, NSW
10-12 F1 Weaner steers, 8-10 month, 180-220kg
Contact Jeff 02 6671215 or email jeff_uschi@aapt.net.au
Lic 10195A

SHEEP & LAMBS FOR SALE
Dorper Sheep, NSW
Dispersal of complete pure unreg. Dorper flock. Good size and quality. 12 rams and 16 ewes of various age groups. $5900 for the lot. Certified ACO 2656A.
Mark Heinzel - Eugowra 02 6859 2310

WANTED
Organic cows wanted
A flat rate paid for all weights and teeth, and cows can be certified to Australian standards and/or US NOP standards.
Please contact Peter Gall on 0427574941 plgall@bigpond.com

Store lambs wanted
Lambs suitable for finishing at property near Young NSW. British breed crosses and Dorper crosses acceptable. No straight merino or Damara crosses needed. Paid liveweight at Young.
Please contact Peter Gall on 0427574941 plgall@bigpond.com

FEED FOR SALE
Naked oats for sale, NSW
Naked oats, ideal for pigs or poultry, biodyamically certified. ACO cert no 2232BD. 35 Tonnes available, located central NSW. Ph 02 6869 7635 Ray Unger.

Hay for sale, New England region, NSW
Organic Pasture Silage.
Cut late December 2005. Mixed grasses & clover, mesh covered round bales, plastic wrapped, good quality, sweet.
Approx. 450 kg/bale. Located Uralla NSW (Cert# 2463A)
Ph. 02 6778 3883 ah.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
2 blocks, Thulimbah, Qld
2 x ACO certified parcels land for sale, 17acres and 13 acres. Both with water.
17 acre block: Beautiful land in Thulimbah Queensland suitable for cold climate or temperate crops such as stone fruit or brassicas. Property has 250 heritage apple trees. Power/water/ph. all handy. Large dam near orchard. Has building entitlement. Orchard is maintained and productive approx 20 yrs old. Plenty of nice building sites. Close to shops/schools etc. $160000

13 acre block: Also certified and in Thulimbah QLD. This block has a weatherboard home 4xbed 1x bathroom, a second self contained accommodation, 3x large sheds, 200000 gal tank for irrigation, pump, tractor. This block has an assortment of fruit trees including persimmons, plums, peaches, quince, fig, mulberry, prickly pear. Large dam, windmill. Endless water as dam is spring fed. The home is older but very liveable with heritage character and features. New gray water septic system newly installed. $310000 photos avail. upon request.
Contact Kylie email kayjmorse@hotmail.com or ph. 0428162232.

Grain or grazing land, Westmar, SE Qld
For sale: "Satur", 6700 acres, Westmar, South/West Q.L.D.
Organic I.C (A-grade Jan 2008)
GHPL. Secure water, body of feed. Suit grain or graze.
Contact Dougal Edgar, 07 4663 0709, 0427 630 746. Email moolana@redzone.com.au
P.O.A.

**** BFA EVENTS ****

Organic roadshow, Armidale NSW
Following the recent success of the Brisbane organic roadshow last month, Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) is holding its next NSW-based roadshow in Armidale on November 30. The day will cover topics for all industry sectors such as the conversion process for producers, soil health, manufacturing food products, wholesale, retail and more. There will be a research and development forum at the end of the day.
To register email events@bfa.com.au. Further information will be available shortly.

BFA 20 year celebration AGM and gala dinner
In celebration of 20 years of organics industry developments, the BFA�s gala dinner on October 27th following the Annual General Meeting will host two special guests.
David Crombie is a well-known leader in Australian agriculture. After an eight-year leadership of Meat and Livestock Australia and armed with decades of experience as an international agricultural consultant, manager, and farmer, he became president of the National Farmers Federation, the �voice of Australian farmers�.
Mr Crombie sees NFF�s role as being to speak at the highest levels of government about the future settings for Australian agriculture. He believes agriculture in Australia needs to be better promoted, so urban communities can understand its importance for our economy, its productivity, the chain of supply and its role in natural resources management.
Dr Robert (Bob) Carter is a research professor at James Cook University in Queensland and the University of Adelaide in South Australia. He has 30 years� professional experience as a palaeontologist, stratigrapher, marine geologist and environmental scientist. Dr Carter's current research on climate change, sea-level change and stratigraphy is based upon field studies of sediments from the last 65 million years within the south-west Pacific region, in particular the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand.
For more information and for bookings for the dinner, visit www.bfa.com.au or phone (07) 3350 5716, ext 233, email events@bfa.com.au

For a list of other BFA and industry events visit http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=158.

Subscribe to Organic Livestock News via email by entering your email address below:

Organic Livestock E-Circular #7

2007-07-05T02:24:42Z

Dear industry member,

If you have news that you would like to submit for circulation in the Livestock Circular, please submit this at the link: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203.

To submit a classified ad (free service for BFA members) visit http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/

We hope you find this circular useful and of interest and we look forward to your feedback as always.

Holly Vyner
PR Coordinator, BFA Group

****CLASSIFIEDS � LATEST ENTRIES****

CATTLE FOR SALE
Steers for sale, Central West Qld
90 cross bred steers, approx 400kg - ACO 4544A
70 Santa short horn steers, approx 350kg - USDA and ACO 4544A

Augathella, Central West Qld

Contact John Elmes, ph 07 4654 5454, email kelmes@bigpond.com.au.

R & J Unger
Certified biodynamic poll hereford cattle at Peak Hill NSW phone 0268697635 email ungers@gobushmail.com. Cert no 2232bd.

SHEEP & LAMBS FOR SALE
R & J Unger
Certified biodynamic merino sheep & lambs for sale. Located at Peak Hill NSW phone 0268697635 or email ungers@gobushmail.com. Cert no 2232bd.

NB: For more listings of stock for sale and stock wanted, visit the Classifieds section of the BFA website at the link: http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/

****NOTICE REGARDING PROPOSED NEW GROWER GROUP FROM RED EARTH ORGANICS****

JL & MJ HUGHES
BELARABON STATION
VIA COBAR NSW 2835
p: 02 6837 3983
m: 0427 820 654
f : 02 6837 3558
e: bundaleer.pastoral@bigpond.com

5-July-2007

Dear lamb producers and organic members,

What do you get for your 1% levy from Biological Farmers Australia?

BFA promotes the organic industry as a whole and in particular the BFA Bud logo.
BFA wishes also to assist individual sector groups such as prime organic lamb as well as grower marketing groups with intentions of promoting their product to the world
BFA has put in place the structure for subcommittee groups for each sector allowing members to have input and advise direction on standards and market developments, etc.

What can we do for ourselves?

Imagine a lamb grower marketing group that was proactively searching for new markets, developing feed programs, demanding a premium per kg, and ensuring a prompt payment.
A group with intentions of supplying more than one outlet.
Imagine having confidence you have received every cent that is due without having to cross reference your kill sheet with payment slip.
Imagine receiving a kill sheet without demanding it for months.
Imagine not having to deal with the processor.
Imagine receiving more dollars per kg for your lamb.
Is all of this possible?

IT IS and you are invited to register your interest in participating with our grower only group to expand our domestic and export markets, completely confidential.

Red Earth Organics is a grower based organic lamb producer group in Western NSW.

We are a grower group working for growers, in the interest of growers for a financial return for growers, if you are not a grower you cannot join.

The group is made up of long term lamb producers with the aim of producing a product of the highest integrity.

Over the previous 12 months our group has been working hard to secure kill space, packaging and achieve an export licence for chilled and frozen red meat which has recently been completed and we now are in a position to export. We are already in negotiations with some overseas buyers.

We are actively participating on the Ruminants Livestock and Broad acre Farming sub committee of the BFA.

We have been developing a supplementation program for lambs in rangeland areas with the view of increasing our annual organic turn off by a modest 30%, decreasing the number of lambs normally turned into the cheaper conventional market and alleviating the requirement for a feedlot.

This 22,000 lamb program that we have developed is supported by two of the industries biggest research and development bodies, Meat and Livestock Aust. and Rural Industry Research Development Corporation.

We have also received corporate support from the Commonwealth Agribusiness and Bromar engineering of Grenfell who is continuing to develop a feeder specialised to our rangeland requirements, there are also many smaller business�s eager to participate.

Red Earth Organics has also taken on a partnership role with a large high school in Wagga Wagga aiding them with their curriculum for an organic livestock and vegetable program, the only educational organic program of it�s kind known to exist in Australia.

We are teaching the young consumers and future farmers the merits of organics before they venture out into the world.

We are donating an initial 2 years of free consultation and lamb sponsorship. The children will travel to one of the properties in the group once a year to witness a large scale commercial organic property.

We are aware that certain processors threaten to cease purchasing from a grower if that grower dares to communicate with grower groups because it threatens the processors stranglehold on dollars per kg.

We welcome interest from all states and from growers belonging to all certifying bodies.
Processors and butchers can lodge an interest for the purchase of lamb and offal.

We encourage you to register a confidential interest of participation on: bundaleer.pastoral@bigpond.com

The BFA provides an array of promotional material (9 annual publications), websites, roadshows, workshops and training, media liaison, spokespeople, industry advice for government, standards development and more.

End.

Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) is Australia�s largest representative organic body and is a voice for its members and the organic industry on matters relating to education, trade, promotion and advocacy.
T: (07) 3350 5716 F: (07) 3350 5996 E: info@bfa.com.au W: www.bfa.com.au

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #6

2007-06-07T23:27:46Z

Dear Livestock Subcommittee Circular Subscriber,

As of July this year more regular updates will be circulated with the aim of notifying graziers of stock for private sale or auction, however also to advise about feed, certification issues, events, production tips, and more.

The Circular now has close to 1000 subscribers which highlights the growing interest in this sector and the need for a regular source of information both for certified producers and others.

If you have anything you would like to submit for circulation, please visit http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203 for news or to submit a classified ad visit http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/ (free for BFA members).

Note that while we endeavour to include current information, some of the below advertised stock may already have been sold. If so, we would be grateful if you could advise us in order that we can update the information for future.

All the best in your organic business.

Regards,

Holly Vyner
PR Coordinator, BFA

***AGISTMENT AVAILABLE
Winter feed, Murrumbidgee area NSW
Certified organic winter feed available for 500-1000 cows or sheep equivalent.
Long or short term , premium country , sound water, owner well experienced in agistment.
Ph Joe at Red Earth Organics on 02 68373983

***FOR SALE***CATTLE

For Sale - steers and heifers
Approx 500 No 6 steers and heifers averaging 400kg
Approx 800 No 7 steers and heifers averaging 220kg
Located Planet Downs, CQld, in ticky country
Certified by ACO, NOP and EU
Contact Rob Bloxham 0412 559 214

Murray Grey Heifers
Certified organic 7 Murray Grey Heifers for sale 7 months old and in prime condition. $500 each. Cert # 2644A. Hunter Valley, NSW. Contact Sonny Ryan 02 4938 9796 /mobile 0413 927 106.

Heifers, steers
46 steers, 49 heifers, Angus cross and Santa cross, 300 - 360kg certification no. 4271A, CAMBOOYA, Qld, Ph (07) 4696 1166, Email thallons@bigpond.com

Biodynamic milk vealers
Milk vealers from 340 kgs. Will be 40 calves in total. Will sell in sides or whole.
Contact Allen & Maureen Smith, Comboyne Biodynamic Beef, BD10320IC
email: timberridge@bigpond.com, phone: 02 6550 4220

R & J UNGER
Poll Hereford steers 200kg to 400kg, 10 to 18 months old, certified organic/biodynamic BFA 2232BD
Ph 02 6869 7635 Ray Unger Peak Hill NSW.

Cattle 10229A
A variety of crossbred Steers in forward condition, milk teeth, weighing between 280kg-350kg. Located in the New England area NSW. Sold by the deck load. Transport is avaialble. Phone 02 67775901.

***FOR SALE***SHEEP & LAMBS

Alaringa Holdings flock dispersal. Primarily white dorper bloodlines. Organically certified sheep via Australian Certified Organic (ACO4365A). Generous option for purchaser to select the pick of each flock.
80 x 2004 drop ewes
� Pick from 95 head
� 1/3 merino, 1/3 damara, 1/3 dorper
� All have been running with white dorper ram.
30 x 2005 drop ewes � F2 Dorper
� Pick from 34 head
� Out of 2004 drop ewes
� All good shedding
� Running with pure dorper ram.
20 x 2006 drop ewes � F3 Dorper
� Pick from 35 head
� Out of 2005 drop ewes by White Dorper ram
� Majority to lamb May/June
30 x Red-tag ewes
� Pick from 35 head
� Mixed ages 3 � 5yrs
� Mix of dorper (black) and damara types
� Running with pure dorper ram as above
Contact Ian & Sarah Moss 07 4691 0073 / 0428 910 073 or Alex Paterson (Landmark Twba) 0427 084 889

Finished meat lambs
300 Certified xbred, well finished, meat lambs, off mothers. Certification 2371A, Coonbarabran N.S.W.
Contact Peter Morrison, Farmore Pastoral Co, 0417 990 569

580 1st Cross Dorper Lambs
580 Mixed sex organic August 2006 drop 1st Cross White Dorper lambs.
Average live weight 35kg.
Willing to split lambs to ewes and wethers.
Contact Daryn Kerr 07 4655 4818 / 0428 574 861

Eulo Queensland. Organic Certification # 10298
750 Merino Ewes Organic Joined Dorper
750 Mixed Age Merino Ewes December shorn, organically joined at 2% to White Dorper Rams.
Due to lamb August 2007. Lambs will be certified organic.
Score 2+ condition.
Contact Daryn Kerr 07 4655 4818 / 0428 574 861

840 Merino ewes
USDA /ACO certified
Joined to black dorper rams
Contact John Elmes 07 4654 5454

***WANTED TO BUY***ORGANIC SHEEP & LAMBS

Dorper Type Lambs Wanted
Regular supply of 4 - 10 lambs per week required.
Can take fortnightly but prefer weekly delivery to Toowoomba (Qld) area.
Prefer mainly dorper type but will consider other bloodlines.
Lambs to dress 16 - 22kg.
Please call Ian Moss on 0428 910 073 or ian@alaringa.com.au

Organic Lamb
THE ORGANIC MEAT COMPANY is looking for new suppliers of organic lamb.
Please contact Peter Gall on 0427 574 941.

***NEWS***Importance of Healthy Soils under Drought Conditions

The drought conditions of recent years that have swept Australia has meant farmers are now very interested in understanding more about soil health. In particular, producers are interested in maximising soil moisture, infiltration and are looking at alternative cropping and nutrition options outside high cost external input systems.

A workshop recently held at Tracy and Dean Rockemer�s property at Booubyjan and attracted 84 producers. The field day was facilitated by the SE Burnett Landcare Group and run by Greg Paynter through Land & Waters Healthy Soils for Sustainable Farms programme.

Major Highlights
There was a number of highlights to the practical day but the most important included the following;
� As a result of the hard work done by SE Burnett Landcare Group 84 producers and people interested in land management were able to gain insight on how farming management practices can provide soil health outcomes and its resultant ecosystem functions/services so that profitable outcomes can be realized.
� That many soils have restricted root growth (compaction at 10cms) as soil peds are commonly rock hard (roots grow around them), this limits capacity for roots and soil biota to access nutrients, water and oxygen and hence limits productivity.
� Complete soil nutrition is critical to help plants cope with moisture stress, soil diseases and insect attack (includes trace elements for plant enzymes), therefore building stable humus is the key (holds 20 times its weight in water and reduces water use & soil temperature fluctuations) to optimizing productive capacity. Consequently there is a need for farmers to expand their understanding beyond just NPK nutrition.
� Benefits can be obtained from using local resources like manures, composts, mined minerals ( gypsum, lime and crusher dust-fines), green manures and pasture [maximises root diversity for nutrient extraction through creating more diverse food sources and environments for soil organisms (root sloughing/carbon dumping) to increase soil organic matter and humus to realize their related ecosystem services of: nutrient recycling, soil regeneration, water retention and use efficiencies, ground water recharge, contaminant amelioration and carbon sequestration. Participants from previous Soil Health workshops who have implemented the change from current practice to the use of locally obtained inputs have been more than pleased by the results obtained.
� The use of grazing management (GLM, HRM), pasture cropping and advanced sowing, organic zero-till and Polyculture-integrated enterprise management to obtain soil health outcomes and increased profitability.
� Farm design is critical for maximizing production and reducing cost:
1. Through wind breaks decreasing wind speed over grazing land increased production up to 15%
2. Providing habitat for predators to be maintained-IPM/ecological engineering
3. Landscape design for the creation of micro climates, water catchment and utilization, biodiversity enhancement above and below ground
� There are no disadvantages to improving soil health only multiple benefits

Big issues facing growers
Many growers identified a number of issues that they are now facing. Some of these included;
1. Declining soil moisture levels and poor yields
2. Soil carbon levels are dropping leading to poor soil structure, water infiltration, nutrient availability and hence lower capacity for production under current climatic conditions.
3. Rising costs of inputs and static income stretching cash flow
4. Little feed on farm
5. Environmental issues of drought (Hard to be green when your in the red)

Costs can be controlled
The costs of production can be reduced by adopting soil health principles. Some of the major costs currently faced by producers include;
� Feed/fodder � grow your own quality feed with healthy soils
� Chemicals � disease & insects are increased by plant stress ( soil health mitigates plant stress)
� Fertilisers (use cheap local fertilisers like manures, compost and other nutrient resources)
� Fuel � increasing humus softens soil reducing machinery draft and the expense of the capital required to pull machinery

Follow up activities discussed
A number of follow up activities were recommended by the producers. These included;
� More practical knowledge
� Specialised workshops-composting and farm design for water conservation

There is funding available for a further 12 workshops to be run on soil health. For more information contact: Greg Paynter, 0424 092 064, Email greg.paynter@bfa.com.au.

***NEWS***Organic wool interest builds
To read this story visit: http://news.bfa.com.au/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/archive/advantage/20070531230326/#agribusiness

***NEWS***Wasps and mulesing; a connection?

By MARIUS CUMING - Australia, Friday, 11 May 2007

Wasps may be helping in the quest to overcome mulesing.
It may sound crazy, but farmers in Victoria's high country swear by it.

Swifts Creek woolgrower of 57 years experience, Len Love, says European wasps are dramatically reducing the population of blowflies, namely lucilia caprina - the fly responsible for flystrike in sheep - and has noticed a massive drop in the frequency of flystrike on his property.

"Everyone I have spoken to about this agrees with me; where there are wasps there is definitely less blowflies," he said.

Mr Love says the fly and its maggots are no match for the sting of the wasp and may even provide a food source for the invasive species.

He has tested the theory himself by placing a wasp and a blowfly in a jar.

"I had trouble finding a blowfly but the moment I put the wasp in the jar it stung the blowfly many times and within 24 hours it had eaten the entire fly," he said.

"I am keen to see what happens with maggots but they are very hard to find."

The wasp as a biological control may not be a particularly welcome one, but it has raised some eyebrows at Australian Wool Innovation, the organisation desperately seeking an alternative to mulesing.

NSW Agriculture entomologist, Garry Levot, said while the European wasp does predate on all blowfly species, it was unlikely to be having a significant impact on blowfly numbers.

"Each female blowfly can produce thousands of maggots every year and to my knowledge the European wasp does not kill the maggots, so that is a lot of flies to catch on the wing," he said.

SOURCE: Extract from Stock & Land, weekly rural newspaper, Victoria, May 10 edition.

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #5

2007-03-28T23:01:51Z

Livestock e-newsletter #5, 29 March 2007

The Livestock e-circular is an initiative of the BFA Livestock Subcommittee with the idea of sharing information with fellow producers and others relating to production, certification and marketing. If you have any ideas to share or production tips, please submit these via the following link on our website http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203 for inclusion in the circular.

FOR SALE LISTINGS:
Organic Livestock Sale, Auctions Plus, Friday 30th March
A/C David & Mary Booth (Buronga Pastoral, 10072A), Cootamundra
28 Certified Angus Heifers 8-10 months (180-240 kg LW)
28 Certified Angus Steers 8-10 months (180-250 kg LW)
13 Certified Angus Steers-ready to kill-Milk Tooth 15-18 months (av 504 kg LW)
6 Certified Angus heifers-ready to kill-Milk Tooth 15-18 months (av 394 kg LW)
Organic Contract Processor kill available at Cootamundra (domestic).

R & J UNGER
Poll Hereford steers 200kg to 400kg ,10 to 18 months old,certified organic/biodynamic BFA 2232BD 0268697635 Ray Unger Peak Hill NSW.

Organic Bull 10111A
Certified A-grade Droughtmaster Bull, 30 months old. Very Quiet. Location Goondiwindi. Please call for further details, Andrew Mb: 0409 890 223, Alicia Ph: 07 4671 3904

Cattle 10229A
A variety of crossbred Steers in forward condition, milk teeth, weighing between 280kg-350kg. Heifers between 200 � 300kg, Angus-cross, milk teeth. Located in the New England area NSW. Sold by the deck load. Transport is available. Phone 02 6777 5901.

Biodynamically Grown Beef
Bulk orders for 1/4 to whole, 35-160kg. Located Hunter Valley - two Hunter outlets. ACO Certification no. 2606BD
Email: idcharlton@hunterlink.net.au
Telephone: 02 6579 1151,

Certified Biodynamic Cattle
Ten Cows 6-8 years old with calves 2-4 months old. Located Hunter Valley.ACO certification no. 2606BD, Email: idcharlton@hunterlink.net.au, Telephone: 02 6579 1151

CERTIFIED ORGANIC ABATTOIRS & BUTCHERS
A complete certified organic supply chain allows the consumer to have full confidence in the organic integrity of the end product. To ensure this organic integrity, livestock producers wishing to sell certified organic meat, must have there animals slaughtered at an abattoir, which holds organic certification as a processor.

Processors can obtain organic certification, through a certifying body by submitting documentation, which ensure that the processing facility will not have any detrimental effects on integrity the final certified product. Following this, annual and unscheduled audits exists to ensure that the following five requirements are met.

1. To ensure all relevant aspects of the standard are maintained, such as adherence to allowed and prohibited inputs, cleaning and pest control aids and maintenance of production facilities in compliance with this Standard.
2. To ensure that in the process of receival, preparation, packaging, and dispatch that the authenticity of the certified product is maintained � ensuring maintenance of nutritional and quality aspects of food products and clean natural fibers.
3. To ensure a clear and auditable trail is established and maintained for all certified product arriving, being prepared, stored and leaving the certified preparation facilities. This includes the ability for ready identification of all stored and in-process products.
4. To ensure that all relevant documentation is available and recorded which verifies that all ingredients claimed as organic bear, or relate to appropriate labeling, documentation and current certificate of certification.
5. To ensure that management, skills and education of staff and resources are sufficient to maintain effective compliance with the operator�s Organic Management Plan (or Standard Operating Procedure) and the Standard.

There are a number of certified abattoirs located throughout Australia. These abattoirs may be certified by different organic certification bodies. Following is a list of abattoirs certified with Australian Certified Organics (ACO). Such abattoirs are denoted by a certification number, followed by P for processor, eg 1234P. These processors can kill for any certified producer. Contract processors, denoted by CP, can only kill for the licensee of their operation.

All abattoirs listed were certified in accordance with the minimum AQIS National Organic Standard at the time of print, however before using one of the abattoirs listed, onus is on the farmer to ensure the certification status of the abattoir is still valid. This can be done by contacting the abattoir and asking for a copy of their organic certificate or contacting your certification body. It is also a requirement of your certification with Australian Certified Organic that you are familiar with BFA�s Australian Organic Standards � in particular section 6.2.

The types of certification of the processing facilities are an important consideration for livestock producers to consider, when addressing different markets. If wishing to sell to overseas markets then you must ensure that the abattoir has the correct international certification. If in doubt contact your certification body.

Such considerations arise, for instance where a producer who is USDA NOP certified wishing to sell organic meat to the US market. In this case, the abattoir must also be NOP certified, denoted by USDA following there certification number.

Processing stock from a USDA certified property, at an abattoir without NOP accreditation will result in loss of certification for that market.

LIST OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC ABATTOIRS & BUTCHERS UPDATED 28/3/07

QUEENSLAND
Chaplain Abattoirs (ACO 10181P)
MILES, QLD
Contact: Mr. John Chaplain
T: 0427 017517
E:jschaplain@bigpond.com
Beef, Goat, Lamb, Pork

Thomas Borthwick And Sons Pty Ltd
(ACO 480P)
Via MACKAY, QLD
Contact: Mr. Scott Craw
T: (07) 4952 1377
E: tbsqa@easynet.net.au
Beef

Western Exporters
(ACO 10573P
USDA)
CHARLEVILLE, QLD
Contact: Tony Lofthouse
T: (07) 46543311
Sheep ,Goats

Churchill Abattoir P/L
(ACO482P)
IPSWICH, QLD
Contact: Barry Moule
T: (07) 38129000
E: info@churchillabattoir.com.au
Cattle

Oakey Abattoir Pty Ltd (ACO 467P)
OAKEY, QLD
Contact: Mr. Kurt Wockner
T: (07) 4691 1277
E: kwockner@oakeyabattoir.com.au
Beef

Killarney Abattoir
(ACO4010P)
KILLARNEY, QLD
Contact: Mr. Paul Morrish
T: (07) 4664 1244
E: paul@killarnyabattoir.com.au
Beef, Goat, Lamb, Pork, Veal

South Burnett Beef
(ACO CP USDA)
MURGON, QLD
Contact: Peter Gall
T: 0427 574 941
F: 07 4659 8898
E: plgall@bigpond.com
Beef

NEW SOUTH WALES
Kurri Meats
(ACO 2026P)
KURRI, NSW
Contact: Mr. Graham Rees
T: (02) 4937 1644
E: kurrimeats@bigpond.com
Beef, Lamb

Bindaree Beef P/L
(ACO CP USDA)
INVERELL , NSW
Contact: Peter Gall
T: 0427 574 941
F: 07 4659 8898
E: plgall@bigpond.com
Beef

Rockdale Beef Pty Ltd
(ACO 10592P USDA)
YANCO, NSW
Contact: Gary Shanley
T: (02) 69511104
E: gshanley@rockdale.com.au
Beef

Cassino RSM Processing
(ACO 2005P)
Via LISMORE, NSW
Contact: Mr. Garry Lees
T: (02) 6629 1376
F: (02) 6629 1304
E: booyong@cassino.com.au
Pigs

Southern Meats
(ACO 10644P)
GOULBURN, NSW
Contact: David Conliffe
T: (02) 48240033
E: david@southernmeats.com.au
Sheep

Northern Co-Operative Meat Co
(ACO 269P)
CASINO, NSW
Contact: Mr. Dennis Wyatt
T: (02) 6662 2444
E: cassino@cassino.com.au
Beef, Veal

Buronga Pastoral Co/Cootamundra
(ACO CP)
COOTAMUNDRA, NSW
Contact: David Booth
T: (02) 6942 2115
F: (02) 6942 2664
E: info@burongaorganic.com.au
W: www.burongaorganics.com.au
Sheep, Beef

Junee Abattoir
(ACO CP)
Junee, NSW
Contact: Ken Taylor
T: (02) 4322 4528
F: (02) 4322 4350
ken@organicmeat.com.au
Sheep

DA Holdings
(ACO 245P)
Moruya, NSW
Contact: Graeme Afflick
T: (02) 4474 2596
F: (02) 4474 3998
E: afflicksds@acr.net.au
Sheep, Pigs, Beef

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Dalriada Meat Pty Ltd
(ACO 10603P)
KIETH, SA
Andrew Martin
T: (08) 8755 1134
F: (08) 8755 1134
E: travis.munday@bigpond.com.
Beef

VICTORIA
GH Keily Meat Exporters Pty Ltd
(ACO CP USDA)
MOE, VIC
Contact: Peter Gall
T: 0427 574 941
F: 07 4659 8898
E: plgall@bigpond.com
Beef

Norvic Food Processing
(ACO 10122P)
WODONGA, VIC
Contact: Mr. John Hayes
T: (02) 6055 0226
F: (02) 6024 5295
E: norvic@norvic.com.au
Beef, Goat, Lamb

Loddon Country Lamb Pty Ltd
(ACO CP USDA)
PYRAMID HILL, Vic
Contact: Peter Gall
T: 0427 574 941
F: 07 4659 8898
E: plgall@bigpond.com
Sheep

Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) is Australia�s largest representative organic body and is a voice for its members and the organic industry on matters relating to education, trade, promotion and advocacy.
T: (07) 3350 5716 F: (07) 3350 5996 E: info@bfa.com.au W: www.bfa.com.au

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #4

2006-10-24T22:12:56Z

Dear industry member,

For those people new to this circular, the Livestock e-circular is an initiative of the BFA Livestock Subcommittee with the idea of sharing information with fellow producers and others relating to production, certification and marketing. If you have any ideas to share or production tips, please submit these via the following link on our website http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203 for inclusion in the circular.

We hope you find it useful resource and look forward to your contributions and suggestions.

Best regards,
Holly Vyner
Public Relations Officer

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE CERTIFIED ORGANIC MARKET XTRA, OCT 2006

Organic Store Cattle Sale Initiative through Landmark, AuctionsPlus and BFA.
Landmark, AuctionsPlus and the Biological Farmers of Australia Co-op have agreed to work together to develop and promote a monthly organic livestock sale on AuctionsPlus.

It is hoped that by working together the �Australian Certified Organic/ Landmark/ AuctionsPlus Monthly Organic Sale� will be developed to attract sufficient volume to allow certified organic livestock producers an efficient and competitive market place for organic store stock.

AuctionsPlus provides an ideal facility to sell organic store cattle and sheep as the integrity of the cattle�s organic status is not threatened while allowing access to a broader market.

The Sale: On the last Friday of every month after the regular 10am Eastern States sale AuctionsPlus will dedicate a sale to organic livestock. Details of each sale will be circulated by BFA to its subscription list of over 500 organic livestock producers through the BFA livestock subcommittee e-circular. The first sale is scheduled for Friday 24 Nov 2006.

Landmark QLD/NT Auction Plus State Co-ordinator � Col Cambell (mob: 0429068810 email col.cambell@landmark.com) and NSW/VIC Co-ordinator Bob Russ (mob:0419276851 email robert.russ@landmark.com.au) SA Co-ordinator Wayne Hall (mob: 0427369699 email wayne.hall@landmark.com.au) WA Co-ordinator Chris Medcalf (mob: 0427423232) are the contacts for organic producers to list their cattle and answer any queries. BFA will act as a facilitator and link rather than an active participant in the sales. All listings and sales will be between Landmark/Auction Plus and the individual organic producers.

Col Cambell, Landmark/AuctionsPlus Qld/NT commented �This is a new niche market in a sector with high growth potential and introduces a whole new sector to the benefits of AuctionsPlus. Landmark looks forward to working with the certified organic industry to develop this initiative�

While the current climatic and pasture conditions are not exactly conducive to the development of a store market it is important that the secondary market develop sufficiently to allow further growth of the certified organic livestock industry when climatic conditions improve.

The certified organic sector gains by the development of an innovative, regular and viable organic market place and the BFA/ ACO welcome all organic producers to join them and share the rewards offered by Landmark and AuctionsPlus. See www.bfa.com.au/auctionsplus or www.landmark.com/auctionsplus for further information or call Col Cambell on 0419 276 851.

FEED SHORTAGES

The dry conditions affecting much of Australia are impacting on all producers. It is important certified organic producers understand their options when faced with feed shortages and the impact on their certified status. The options for ACO producers are as follows:

1. For certified stock, up to 5% of the annual agricultural origin dry matter feed intake may be bought in as additional non-organic feed� - see section 5.1.29. of the Australian Organic Standard 2006.
2. In exceptional circumstances (EC) �see sections 5.1.36/37:
a) feed may be sourced from in-conversion fodder without the certification status of the livestock being affected.
b) if conventional fodder � free of GM and agrichemical residues � is fed, stock must be fed certified organic feed for a consecutive six month period before they can regain organic status.

Both 1 and 2 above require written communication between ACO and the producer, while stock fed conventional feed (2b) may require further residue testing prior to sale.

Please note also that conventional stock (ie. breeders) can still be run on certified organic land and mingle with certified stock provided there is no risk of contamination and identification of stock of different status is possible (see 3.1.49. of the AOS 2006). The offspring of such stock may attain certification status where the breeding stock is managed in accordance with the Standard.

Please note that for the USDA NOP livestock market, all agricultural based feeds (as opposed to minerals) must arise from USDA NOP certified sources.

RUMINANT LIVESTOCK/ BROADACRE SUBCOMMITTEE

The BFA sub-committee system has been critical in ensuring the BFA and ACO remain practical, commercial and industry orientated. One of the more active sub-committees has been the Livestock/Broadacre group however on suggestions from industry a decision has been taken to split the Livestock/Broadacre committee into two sections to better represent the sectors within the industry. Previously the monogastric (poultry and pigs) sector was included in the Livestock/Broadacre Subcommittee but due to its specialised nature it will now be split off and its own sub-committee activated. A more focused Ruminant (cattle/sheep) and Broadacre Sub-committee has been formed and will continue the good progress made to date.

I�d like to welcome the following subcommittee members and the new chairman Mr David Booth of Buronga Organics in the Riverina, NSW. Our thanks goes to Mr Quentin Kennedy, the previous Chairman who has stepped down due to business commitments. The Ruminant/Broadacre Subcommittee members are representative of the regions and sectors within the cattle, sheep and cropping sectors. They include producers, marketers, processors and advisers. The BFA looks forward to working with them.

David Booth Buronga Pastoral Co, Cootamundra, NSW
Chris Hurwood BFA Co-op Ltd, Brisbane, Qld
Quentin Kennedy Kialla Pure Foods P/L, GREENMOUNT, QLD
Terry Elliott QAS P/L, Chinchilla, Qld
Peter Gall The Organic Meat Co, Toowoomba, Qld
David Warriner Capricorn RPM Pty Ltd , Rockhampton, Qld
Joe Hughes Bundaleer Pastoral Co, VIA COBAR, NSW
Ted Clarke Producer Glenreagh, NSW
Glen Scammell Vitasoy Australia Products P/L, WODONGA, VIC
Michael Couglan Tarabah Livestock Co, MORUNDAH, NSW
Dalene Brook OBE Beef, Brisbane, Qld
Quentin Wright Doughboy Mtn Livestock Co, WOLLOMOMBI, NSW

BFA still wishes to assist with fostering networks between growers and the formation of producer groups as initiated in previous livestock e-circulars. This project is on the agenda for the livestock subcommittees and progress will be reported in coming updates.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS:

To view cattle and sheep listings to buy and to sell, please paste the following link in your browser:
http://news.bfa.com.au/classifieds/

Holly Vyner
BFA Public Relations Officer
T: 07 3350 5716 (International +61 7 3350 5716)
F: 07 3350 5996 (International +61 7 3350 5996)
E: media@bfa.com.au
W: www.bfa.com.au

BIOLOGICAL FARMERS OF AUSTRALIA CO OP LTD - THE VOICE OF AUSTRALIAN ORGANICS
HEAD OFFICE
PO Box 530 Level 1, 766 Gympie Rd (Brisbane)
CHERMSIDE QLD 4032
FOR ORGANIC CERTIFICATION QUERIES: Australian Certified Organic can be contacted via www.australianorganic.com.au

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #3

2006-07-06T21:46:37Z

Organic Livestock E-circular 7/7/06

Dear industry member,

For those people new to this circular, the Livestock e-circular is an initiative of the BFA Livestock Subcommittee with the idea of sharing information with fellow producers and others relating to production, certification and marketing. If you have any livestock for market, ideas to share or production tips, please submit these via the following link on our website http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203 for inclusion in the circular.

We hope you find it useful resource and look forward to your contributions.

Best regards,

Holly Vyner
Marketing Coorindator
Ph. 07 3350 5716
Email: media@bfa.com.au

PRODUCER GROUPS:

In our last e-mail we included a notice asking those people wishing to be part of a producer group in their area to express their interest. We are continuing to have enquiries come in and will provide more information on the facilitation of these groups in the next month or so.

If you haven�t already registered your interest, please email Livestock Officer Chris Hurwood at chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au or ph. 07 3350 5716.

Please include your name, location, phone number, whether you are certified/ not certified. Non-organic producers who are thinking of going organic are also welcome to register their interest.

NOTICES TO ACO CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCERS:

Copra Meal:
I understand a lot of producers have received an email from Aclara Health in regards to NOP certified copra meal.

The ACO has checked all relevent records and certificates and can confirm that � provided it doesn�t get fumigated with prohibited inputs - the copra meal being imported by Aclara Health is able to be fed as certified organic feed by both ACO and NOP certified producers.

The importers (Aclara Health) claim it doesn't require fumigation; however this is a decision that will be made by AQIS at the time of importation. The ACO/BFA have no control over whether this product is fumigated or not.

So there are a few points to note:

1. A declaration must be provided to the buyer of the product that fumigation has not taken place.

2. Producers must keep records of invoices/transport declarations of all product bought.

3. From what we understand the product is supplied in 40kg bags - these can't be repackaged and then resold. The product must be sold and provided to the farmer in the same packaging as when it left it's initial (overseas) destination.

4. Aclara Health Pty Ltd - Malcolm Prowse 07 32010675, info@aclarahealth.com.au

From what we understand the product won't be available until at least the middle / late July.

Best regards,

Chris Hurwood
Technical Officer
Ph. 07 3350 5706
email: chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au

Livestock Feed Shortages Advice:

Many regions of Australia are experiencing significant feed shortages due to adverse climatic conditions. While Australian Certified Organic sympathises with organic producers facing feed
shortages, the following is advice to ensure producers understand and adhere to the options available to them under conditions of their Licence Agreements and the Australian Organic Standard 2006. This information is vitally important for producers to continue organic certification of production systems.

The ACO is unable to issue feed derogations (apart from those already in the Australian
Organic Standard 2006 � see below) allowing the use of conventional, non certified feed (even if it is GM and contaminant free) in certified organic systems. The reasoning behind this is that all organic certification bodies under the AQIS system must remain compliant with the overall framework of the Australian National Standard.

Please note that for the USDA NOP livestock market, all agricultural based feeds (as opposed to minerals) must arise and be processed in USDA NOP certified operations.

Therefore the options for ACO producers suffering feed shortages are as follows:

1. For certified stock, up to 5% of the annual agricultural origin dry matter feed intake may be bought in as additional non-organic feed� - see section 5.1.29. of the Australian Organic Standard (AOS 2006).

2. In exceptional circumstances (EC) �see AOS 2006 sections 5.1.36/37:
a) Feed may be sourced from in conversion fodder without the certification status of the livestock being affected .
b) If conventional fodder � free of GM and agrichemical residues � is fed, stock must be fed certified organic feed for a consecutive six month period before they can regain organic status.

Both 1 and 2 above require written communication between ACO and the producer, while stock fed conventional feed (2b), in terms of EC, may require further residue testing prior to sale.

Please note also that conventional stock (ie. breeders) can still be run on certified organic land and mingle with certified stock provided there is no risk of contamination and identification of stock of different status is possible (see 3.1.49. of the AOS 2006). Such stock offspring may attain certification status, where the breeding stock is managed in accordance with the Standard from the last trimester of pregnancy onwards.

Once again while ACO empathises with the producers facing challenging conditions, ACO doesn�t have the authority or power to move outside existing standards therefore must once again ask producers commitment to observe the advice. If other certification bodies allow movement outside the Standard there is every possibility that they will not be acceptable and producers should have these rulings reviewed by the ACO office at the first opportunity as the information available to ACO clearly indicates that there are no alternatives to the above advice.

Regards,
Michael Blakeney
General Manager, BFA
Ph. 07 3350 5706/ email: gm@bfa.com.au

RECENT CLASSIFED LISTINGS

Cattle:

WANTED TO BUY: 20-25 NOP Certified (or NOP compliant) organic stores 350-450kg Lwt. (4-7-06)
Prefer steers, but will look at heifers. Brisbane Valley or SEQ area
Brisbane
mobile: 0407 649582
email: chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au or chrisandbec@bigpond.com
Chris Hurwood

FOR SALE: ACO Certified Dorper Cross Rams (04-07-06)
South western NSW
Dr.Rob Furneaux
email: magicmo@bigpond.com

FOR SALE: 20 Head of Biodynamic Cattle (04-07-06)
live or for slaughter
Allen& Maureen Smith
Comboyne biodynamic beef
(BD10320IC)
email: timberridge@bigpond.com
phone: 02 65504220

FOR SALE: Certified Organic Yearlings (24-06-06)
20 quality grass fed Angus cross steers and heifers in very good condition. Well muscled, med-low fat. Will sell live or butchered (minimum butchered: one mixed quarter).
certification no: 2460A
The Top Paddock Herb Farm
Beechwood (near Wauchope) NSW
02 65 856202, email: ceggert@bigpond.net.au
Cathy or Jeremy

FOR SALE: Young Steers and Heifers (07-06-06)
All milk tooth. Download the weights by clicking here.
Contact: Ennis & Dorinda Schwennesen, ph 07 4623 5295, email schwennesen@esat.net.au

FOR SALE: 34 EU Organic Cows and Calves Santo/Shorthorn cross (3-7-06)
Cows: 500kg and over, 10 years old average.
Calves: 5 small calves, the rest will be weened end of June.
1 Santo Angus bull
All cows have been running with Santo Shorthorn bulls; should be back in calf
7 cows without calfs some 550 - 600kg. The pick of these to make 2 deals. Photos available.
130 mixed sex weaners, Santa/Shorthorn, EU, USDA and ACO certified.
Contact John Elmes
07 4654 5454

Sheep & Lambs:

FOR SALE: 120 First cross Border Lester / Merino Ewes (04-07-06)
Two and three yr olds, lambing to dorset ram. (near Swan Hill, Vic)
Greg Ogle
03 50302 494
0408 550 186

Looking to Buy /Sell
Please visit this link for more listings of producers with livestock and other products to buy and sell: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=221
(The classified listings is a free service for BFA members. You can submit a classified at the link: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=222)

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Organic Livestock E-Circular #2

2006-06-14T19:27:24Z

Dear industry member,

If this is the first time you have received this newsletter, the Livestock e-circular is an initiative of the BFA Livestock Subcommittee with the idea of sharing information with fellow producers and others relating to production, certification and marketing. If you have any livestock for market, ideas to share or production tips, please submit these via the following link on our website http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=203 for inclusion in the circular.

We hope you find it useful resource and look forward to your contributions and suggestions.

Best regards,
Holly Vyner
Marketing Coorindator

PRODUCER GROUPS:
BFA wishes to assist with the establishment and support of producer groups for cooperative marketing as well as general networking and sustainable development of industry in various regions. Please contact Livestock Officer Chris Hurwood on 07 3350 5706 or email chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au for BFA to register interest in a producer group in your area. Non-organic producers who are thinking of going organic are also welcome to apply.

WA PRODUCER GROUPS NEEDED:
There is a critical need for certified organic meat processors in WA. Producers who have approached conventional processors have been advised there is not the demand to warrant them going through the certification process. In order to make it economically viable for processors to go down the certification path, a producer group is needed to provide consistent supply. Please contact Chris Hurwood on 07 3350 5706 or email chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au for further information.

FAR NORTH COAST, NSW, PRODUCER GROUP NEEDED:
A livestock producer on the far north coast of NSW is wishing to make contact with other producers in the area interested in combining marketing forces. They are finding it hard as a smaller business to find a market for their products. They will have a line of F1 and Angus weaner steers ready for the market shortly. Please contact Chris Hurwood on 07 3350 5706 or email chris.hurwood@bfa.com.au for further information.

RECENT CLASSIFIED LISTINGS:
Looking to Buy Lamb, Toowoomba Region
We have been selling lamb into SE Qld and can�t keep up supply. Looking to add to our capacity through a small number of other suppliers
Looking to develop long-term arrangement with producers of high-quality lambs.
Prefer dorper, dorper/ damara or predominantly dorper sheep but will consider others.
Must be serious about balancing soils and understand and applying principles of biological farming.
Ian Moss, Alaringa, email ian@alaringa.com.au, ph. (07)4691 0073

LOOKING TO BUY/ SELL
Please visit this link for more listings of producers with livestock and other products to buy and sell: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=221
(The classified listings is a free service for BFA members. You can submit a classified at the link: http://www.bfa.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=222)

ORGANIC LIVESTOCK NEWS:
BEEF WEEK 2006
The three yearly beef showcase, Beef 2006 was recently held in Rockhampton. The event attracted cattle producers from all over Australia and BFA�s information booth was kept busy with enquiry from producers investigating the option of �going organic�. Other organic displays included the Australian Organic Meat Company and Envirocare Technologies, producer of tick and buffalo fly control products.

Peter Gall, Supply Chain Manager from the Australian Organic Meat Company said that the overwhelming interest they received from conventional cattle producers at the event made it clear that they were not alone in believing certified organic livestock production and marketing is now being taken seriously.

Marketing Manager of the Australian Organic Meat Company, Alistair Ferguson, saw the event as the opportunity to gauge the interest in converting to organic farming at the producer level as this ultimately will dictate the success of his business. Alistair said that their markets were growing rapidly, particularly in the USA, which required livestock producers to become NOP compliant. While this may involve extra hassle over producing a domestic article, Alistair said that it allows more flexibility for the processor in terms of being able to utilise all of the carcass organically, including lesser value cuts such as trim.

On the final day a seminar was held on the subject of �changing to organic production�. This was well attended by over 35 people with presentations made by Doug Haas, Chairman of BFA; David Warriner, Capricorn Management; David Hardwick, Technical Officer ACO; Peter Gall and Alistair Ferguson, Australian Organic Meat Company and Terry Elliot, Quality Agricultural Services. These presenters did an excellent job covering topics on certification, organic production and standards through to marketing options and specifications.

ORGANICS IS NOT A FAD BUT HERE TO STAY
FarmOnline Daily News, 6th June 2006
Lamb growers in NSW's Western Division are today checking out the possibilities of converting to organic production.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Sussan Ley, says the organics industry can provide long-term benefits to producers, as well as the environment and the consumer.
Ms Ley, has opened the Organic Livestock Conference, Outback Lamb in Balranald today, which will promote organic livestock production and marketing in the Murray-Darling region.
"Organics is not a fad," Ms Ley said.
"It is here to stay and, as an industry, it will only get bigger and stronger.
"Australia's future in agriculture hinges on us adopting farming systems that are more in tune with local conditions and refining existing production practices.
"They are the road to enhancing the economic and environmental sustainability of our rural industries."
Ms Ley says 'organic' is now synonymous with food that is a safe, nutritious alternative.
"It has become a preferred choice for many consumers, and has gained mainstream acceptance," she said.
"Consumer demand for organic product is strong and rising each year, but the conversion rate from conventional to organic agricultural systems in Australia, is relatively slow."
In 2004, the estimated value of the global market for organic food and beverages was $134 billion.
Farm survey data for 2004 indicated Australian organic producers earned between $130 million and $140m in national farm-gate receipts.
Beef took the biggest share at $52m, with sheep coming in at just under $3m.
Ms Ley says there are three key impediments to the adoption of organic farming in the Murray-Darling region.
"The first is whether the financial rewards will prove greater than the costs," she said.
"The second is whether farmers have all the material needed to make an informed decision.
"And last - if farmers do convert to organic production - whether they will have the on-going support they will need as novice organic farmers."
www.farmonline.com.au

DEMAND FOR ORGANIC MEAT OUTPACING SUPPLY
London � Organic meat sales continue to surge in North America with 51% growth registered in 2005. May 22nd 2006
New research finds the meat sector to be the fastest growing in the North American organic food industry. Organic meat sales have expanded by over 150% since 2002 with high growth rates expected to continue as retail distribution increases.
Exceptionally high demand for organic meats has been observed since the first cases of BSE were reported on American and Canadian herds in 2003. Although the BSE incidents have not eroded consumer confidence in beef products, they have elevated consumer awareness of organic meat production methods. Organic beef sales in the US have doubled each year since 2003 partly because of this new consumer awareness of organic meats.
A new study by Organic Monitor finds undersupply to have a dampening effect on market growth rates. Producers cannot find enough organic meat supply to meet burgeoning consumer demand with some companies resorting to imports. The US market for organic meats has become highly import dependent with organic meats coming in from Latin America, Australasia as well as Canada. Over 60% of the organic pork sold in the US is currently imported because of low domestic production levels.
Supply shortages are mostly affecting the organic beef and pork markets. Low producer interest in these organic meats has been due to high production costs, lack of certified slaughterhouses & meat processing plants, and inadequate distribution infrastructure. Although organic meat production has stepped up since 2004, supply is expected to lag demand for a number of years with imports continuing to meet the shortfall in domestic supply.
Although the organic beef market is the fastest growing, poultry comprises most organic meat sales volume. Roughly 26,000 tons of organic poultry was sold in 2005 with chicken comprising the bulk. Its domination is because of the short production cycle which enables producers to adapt relatively quickly to demand fluctuations.
Exceptionally high market growth rates are attracting new entrants in the organic meat industry. Natural & conventional meat companies are taking up high market share as they utilize their distribution networks to launch organic meats. In contrast, many dedicated organic meat companies are finding it difficult building supply chains from farmers to retailers because of supply problems. Indeed, the lack of distribution infrastructure makes direct marketing an important channel for many producers.
Small-scale production and undersupply have made organic meats in US and Canada some of the most expensive in the world; organic beef and pork products are priced up to three times as much as conventional meat products. Retail prices are expected to go down as more supply becomes available, enabling companies to achieve economies of scale in production and marketing.
More information can be found at http://www.organicmonitor.com/300244.htm

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BFA Livestock Subcommittee E-Circular

2006-03-14T15:50:13Z

Dear All

Welcome to the first BFA Livestock Committee e-circular. You will note from the information contained that this is primarily about putting producers in contact with others in their local area to exchange information � or in contact with potential end markets. I hope that this service can assist both those new to our industry as well as those who have been active for some time.

Looking forward to your contributions in the future,

Regards,

Quentin Kennedy, BFA Livestock Committee Chairman (contact: 0418 742 009)

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