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Organic meats sell for a premium
25 Nov 2004
Organic beef producers can expect to earn a premium of between 25 per cent and 30 per cent on their livestock, in part because there are still so few of them. For example, there are only a dozen certified organic beef and lamb producers in Victoria. Certified producers must spend three years preparing their property and dealing with a certification entity such as Biological Farmers of Australia. Fat samples taken from the livestock are tested for 25 herbicides and pesticides. Once leaving the farm, the cattle must be processed at an abattoir that complies with the organic status of the beef. However, the cow and bull need not be certified organic, as long as their calves are reared within an organic property. An organic producer can buy in ten per cent of non-organic stock a year.
The Land, 25/11/04
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