Is it time for the Organic Guys to Start taking some Responsibility?

[SASKFARMER]

I agree to a point, but the post is should organic guys take some responsibility. Like signage and a buffer strip. It's a speciality ag.

Thistle at one wheat plant to 10 thistle needs to be addressed.

But also how can a field become so clean with nothing present and Tanzy is the problem.

Rules need to be in place for them as well.

[GDR]

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The organic community is a funny one in Western Canada. Farmers in this group are trying to tell the rest of us how to farm, and that is all right; it is a free country. But this year, I am noticing how much damage organic guys are doing to the local regular farmers.

Weed problems are all over the place. Some are very bad, and others are doing a half-ass job. So yea spreading weed seeds on my fields through the wind etc. is a huge issue. But they say its farming and its ok. But God helps us if we spray their fields by drift.

Then we have organic guys who expect us to know what the heck they are. Certified organic or not quite there, or will I be organic in three years. Most farmers know their neighbours but without putting up some signs etc. who is to blame. I think the organic industry is to blame.

Now the big thing I wish they would do is to make a buffer system around all there fields. A 100 ft buffer strip and full signage to let all know they are organic certified.

The ditch isn't a buffer system; it is RM land and not to be used by the local organic guy for his use.

Similar if your right along a regular farmer why not have a 100 ft organic buffer strip on the natural guy's farm. Take some responsibility also.

Then I still think something is fishy in some organic guys operations. Their farms should be inspected like a certified seed grower.

I still can't figure out how a field of solid Tanzy mustard can disappear and now clean crop left behind — magic organics.

Again both have a place in our country, and if the market wants to pay these guys a premium, go ahead, but maybe the organic industry needs to clean up its act and start farming and looking after its own.

Others thoughts would be great.

All I am trying to say is maybe real farmers need to start waking up and pushing back on some of this shit that's going on. Last night a group of sick ****S got into a turkey barn in Alberta and did a sit in to protest the blight of turkeys. Why aren't these people getting real jail time?

Again I am not against what a person does on there own farm, but I would like the organic group to have an inspection process and a set of rules that has teeth.

Organic guys lets have a go at it and same with regular farmers, but I want a 100 ft strip around all fields, and that doesn't include the RM ditch.

If you do such a good job spraying why do you need a 100ft buffer? Why dont you offer 50ft on your side and 50ft on theirs. Your responsibility too.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Actually, buffer zones are already mandatory. Either a permanent hedgerow/trees, or 8 meters. It may be a strip of a grass or other crop, or it may be farmed the same as the rest, but must be harvested as conventional grain and segregated.

[SASKFARMER]

GDR it is a speciality farming operation and should do there part to protect the farm. I am not organic and will do my best, but they also should do steps to protect the operation.

No signs and no barrier is not certified organic.

Weeds are a huge problem.

[jazz]

None around me that I know. A couple small guys but they still seem conventional though they dont put much into the crop.

Conventional guys had a hell of a time keeping weeds down I can only imagine what organic fields look like.

[Sheepwheat]

Hobby??? Wade in.

[Oliver88]

Actually, buffer zones are already mandatory. Either a permanent hedgerow/trees, or 8 meters. It may be a strip of a grass or other crop, or it may be farmed the same as the rest, but must be harvested as conventional grain and segregated.

I have an organic neighbour who leaves a 30 foot strip beside all his neighbours and cultivates it every year, he said they are supposed to.

The others leave no strip.

[grefer]

I think your anger and disdain is misplaced SF. If organic farmers are as poor as everyone says it surely isnt them funding all the attacks on conventional farming or as you say real farmers. Maybe rather than going after the low hanging fruit you should target your efforts at the real problem. Consumers. It must be them with the cash to throw away.

[farmaholic]

Whose practices interfere the most with the adjacent landowner's ability to use their own property without being affected by their neighbour's.

I doubt there is a clear winner in this debate.

[Sheepwheat]

In our area, tree lines are disappearing fast. Treelines are the BEST buffer you can get. Somehow I think though that the real farmers would want the treelines gone cuz they cramp their style.

When I last bought land, neighbor called me up to see if I was going to get rid of the “useless tree line”?

I can spray, or have him spray any day of the week, regardless of wind direction. The buffer zone has grass and few weeds, is a deer and elk and moose travel way, ruffed grouse galore, mushrooms, hazelnuts, all kinds of things that the real farmers don’t appreciate or even know exist. I have treelines that you could fill your freezer multiple times with the gleanings thereof.

There is more to life than corner to corner and cash flow, no? I mean, it’s “just a crop” I thought?

My point? I don’t really know? Lol plant trees, cool down the province. Been a hot go of it. Lol