Organics networking...

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Have some neighbors who have been organic for decades, seems to be working.

correct me if i'm wrong, but i think in some cases, it is like all the folks who seed the farm to grass and try intensive grazing. A last desperate attempt. Which universally ends in an auction sale here, but I expect that was going to happen anyways. There are some very successful intensive grazers and organic operations too. But I think they get into it for different reasons.

[grassfarmer]

Have some neighbors who have been organic for decades, seems to be working.

correct me if i'm wrong, but i think in some cases, it is like all the folks who seed the farm to grass and try intensive grazing. A last desperate attempt. Which universally ends in an auction sale here, but I expect that was going to happen anyways. There are some very successful intensive grazers and organic operations too. But I think they get into it for different reasons.

I'll correct you AF5, I have NEVER seen anyone that was desperate and on their way out of agriculture seed their farm to grass and intensive graze. If they had the vision, management skills and work ethic necessary to make intensive grazing work they wouldn't have failed in conventional agriculture.

If you'd said they seeded it to grass and either sold hay or rented out grazing I'd maybe agree with you.

[nibs1]

this is my last years organic red spring wheat crop underseeded to clover.

[fjlip]

Never see any organic like that anywhere near here...unless all weeds

[bucket]

Nice crop.....but I really like the blue sky in that picture.....haven't seen one for quite a while.

[farmaholic]

Less tools or different tools in the toolbox......all depends how you use them. I'd ASS-U-ME..........Managers managing management. ...might lead to success.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

I'll correct you AF5, I have NEVER seen anyone that was desperate and on their way out of agriculture seed their farm to grass and intensive graze. If they had the vision, management skills and work ethic necessary to make intensive grazing work they wouldn't have failed in conventional agriculture.

If you'd said they seeded it to grass and either sold hay or rented out grazing I'd maybe agree with you.

I realize the work and management involved, and the potential in intensive grazing, and do (almost) intensive grazing here too. But I've watched many operations go down this road. It is possible to take productive ground and make it much more productive, it is also possible to take unproductive ground and make it even worse.

I think what it amounts to is the last step in a downwards spiral. Land that doesn't produce, because it's never been fertilized, hard to afford fertilizer when the land doesn't grow anything, diesel and equipment are expensive, especially when the results are lacklustre. Land ends up in perpetual hay, until it doesn't grow anything. At this point, there is no profit left to repair the land, so the experts convince them the answer is intensive grazing. And eventually it should work, but it is hard to get enough growth to build thatch and make manure when the ground has no nutrients, roots 1/4" deep due to compaction, and the only species left is dandelion. The theory is good, but you have to start with productive ground, not concrete with all nutrients mined out. Some fertilizer, or some manure, perhaps some tillage to break the compaction would probably have made these operations sucessful. But just putting electric wires across barren ground hasn't saved anyone yet. Then they have to buy all feed, no diversification left. And moving cows is a full time job, so no time to get another job.

[hobbyfrmr]

Less tools or different tools in the toolbox......all depends how you use them. I'd ASS-U-ME..........Managers managing management. ...might lead to success.

Yes. Expect more tractor time and more paperwork, forms, documentation.
You will have to think for yourself, there is no "helping" the crop once it is planted. Your neighbours will be very critical and will definitely think your broke and on your way out. Its fascinating because they are so stuck in their ways they genuinely cant think otherwise. They will ask a million questions, dont waste your time explaining it to them.
I have 2 organic neighbors that averaged over 100 bu/acre oats and 65 bu/acre barley on oat stubble. The oats went milling and the barley went food grade. Its only half the yield of conventional neighbors but they both figured after all the dust clears they should break even.

[hobbyfrmr]

[ATTACH]813[/ATTACH] this is my last years organic red spring wheat crop underseeded to clover.

Well ya, but, who farms with a pull type swather anymore? If your making money why not have a new sp swather? That is most impressive to the neighbors. Two new sp swathers would be even better.

[pourfarmer]

Well ya, but, who farms with a pull type swather anymore? If your making money why not have a new sp swather? That is most impressive to the neighbors. Two new sp swathers would be even better.

LMAO! I was about to post the same thing!

[hobbyfrmr]

LMAO! I was about to post the same thing!

There's no money there. Dont do it .

[nibs1]

Well ya, but, who farms with a pull type swather anymore? If your making money why not have a new sp swather? That is most impressive to the neighbors. Two new sp swathers would be even better.

LOL I was thinking the same thing, but the old swather is paid for and reliable so i guess i will keep it around for a bit. PS i do have a self propelled JD with honey header.