Organic Centre Wales Factsheet 14: Lowland organic beef and sheep production: financial performance

Summary

This factsheet covers financial performance of lowland organic beef and sheep production. Survey data illustrates that while organic farms can achieve similar incomes to conventional, the finances for both organic and conventional groups are at best marginal, and the models illustrate the reliance of farms on support payments. Organic premium prices are required to maintain relative incomes, especially on lowland farms with dairy and arable holdings. The main factors that will influence performance are the increased role of cattle, with implications for housing and winter feed provision and the emphasis on closed flocks and herds and increase in feeds produced on farm to avoid purchasing expensive conserved forage.