“Harnessing Innovation” Conference Programme
On Thursday the 15th of October 2015, the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, Republic of Ireland will once again become the venue for the All Ireland and UK Mushroom Conference & Trade Show. This year’s conference sponsored by Bord Bia will welcome mushroom growers from right across Ireland and the UK.

Renetech is a partner of EU FP7 project REFERTIL, aiming at reducing mineral fertilisers and chemicals use in agriculture by recycling treated organic waste as compost and bio-char products. EU-funded researchers have developed a zero-mission method of recycling organic phosphorous fertiliser from animal bones. They aim to help farmers cut down on chemicals - saving them money and making food production safer and greener.

Market research carried out by Kantar Worldpanel on behalf of Bord Bia shows that, while the majority of fresh produce sales are in the non prepared format, the prepared fruit and vegetable category has been a growing segment of the market in recent years. 

In this week’s Farming Independent you can read about the organic sector in the USA and find out how it continues to grow at a huge rate. Some Irish organic producers are now starting to export into the market as more opportunities arise for them. To read the full article please click here

Source: IOFGA - Golden Opportunities for Organic Farmers in the USA – Farming Independent Article by IOFGA

Soil fertility is at the heart of good farming and is critical to the productivity and profitability of both grassland and tillage cropping. Irish farmers’ ability to produce some of the highest yields of grass in the world is due to our soils and our climate. The same is true for grain production that Irish farmers can exploit the high yield potential of modern varieties developed by plant breeders.

The great taste awards were announced recently and IOFGA would like to congratulate members on their awards.

McCabes Coffee – Organic Blend 1 star

Dunnes Oak Smoked Salmon – Carr & Sons Seafood Ltd 1 star

Source: IOFGA - Great Taste Awards – IOFGA Winners

We have been contacted by a student completing his thesis for the MSc who is doing some interesting work on organic varieties, if you can help him out by completing the survey below please do.

The new Grant Aid Scheme for the development of the organic off-farm processing sector has been opened. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes announced the opening of the new scheme, which is wholly exchequer-funded, runs for the lifetime of the Rural Development Programme and will support investments for off-farm projects.

The EPA’s BeGreen Programme in conjunction with Green Business is hosting a workshop to inform Irish Business on a number of programmes funded by the National Waste Prevention Programme, which are available to assist business in becoming more resource efficient.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD, recently announced the opening of the new Grant Aid Scheme for the Development of the Organic off-farm Processing Sector with immediate effect.

Salad crops with a farm gate value of €26 million are grown every year in Ireland, in a sector which provides employment for more than 500 people. Crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and lettuce are grown for use mainly in salads, and what could taste better or be fresher than local produce. But changes in the eating habits of consumers and other trends may be set to increase the range of opportunities where the crops are used.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has congratulated the Northern Ireland Food and Drink companies recognised in the 2015 UK Great Taste Awards.

New Manual about Opportunities for Organic Capacity-building and Cooperation under CAP

IOFGA, in partnership with seven organic farming organizations has developed a manual for organic stakeholders for making full use of the new EU Rural Development Policy for the period 2014 – 2020 to stimulate organic cooperation and capacity building. 

Exciting New Organic Marketing Campaign targeting the catering industry as shown in the July 2015 edition of Hotel and Catering Review Magazine.

The department has announced funding for a new farm partnership scheme. Under the scheme successful applicants will be able to claim 50% of legal,advisory and financial service costs incurred while setting up the partnership.

Have you ever stared at packaged meat from your fridge or freezer and wondered if it's still good to eat? Thrown out food because you just weren't sure? Smart labels could help to set your mind at rest. An EU-funded project has developed innovative stickers to do just that.

At a recent US industry briefing from foodservice market specialists Technomic, reference was made to the fact that “consumers are changing the face of business” and that the Top 3 out-of-home Consumer Drivers are: Natural/Wholesome Foods (76%), Consumer Interest in Food (74%) and Transparency (72%).

Details have emerged in the past week indicating the investments which will qualify for grant aid under the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS).

One of the more interesting discoveries I made looking up the word weed in the dictionary or on google search was the descriptive use of adjectives: wild, unwanted, valueless, undesirable, troublesome, uncultivated, menacing, noxious.

If you have registered for the Organic Farming Scheme and still have to complete your Organic Production Course please read the details below carefully. We have listed the available options for you, please note if you are on a waiting list for a Teagasc course then you must go online at the address listed below register and pay for your course in order to secure your place.

Scheme Due To Open Soon (not opened yet)
Organic farmers are set to be able to avail of significant grant aid for key equipment under the TAMS II.
A large array investments are eligible under the Organics Capital Investment Scheme – see list below:

As the annual Bloom Festival draws to a close, horticulture and the business of growing has been gaining some overdue attention in the media. Agriculture has been one of the shining stars of the economic recovery, but horticulture has remained the poor relation.

Mary Lynch, organic inspector adviser and farmer, is running another Organic Production course for new entrants to the Organic Farming Scheme who must complete their course before September 1st.

Tender - Development in Snail Production - RFT - Request for Tender (RFT) for Inclusion on Panel for the Provision of New Course Development in Snail Production to the National Organic Training Skillnet 2015/2016
Abstract: RFT - Request for Tender (RFT) for Inclusion on Panel for the Provision of New Course Development in Snail Production to the National Organic Training Skillnet 2015/2016
Publication date: 26-05-2015
Response deadline: 12-06-2015 05:00 Irish time
Procedure: 1. Open Procedure (NON OJEU)
Buyer: National Organic Training Skillnet
Click here for more information and to log in or register.
Click here to view all Tenders

The Organic Farming Scheme is now open and participants can submit their applications to the Department of Agriculture before May 29th.

How to join the scheme:

The OFS is now an online application so in order to join you must complete the following steps:

Minister Hayes opened the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) today. IOFGA are delighted with the 60% increase in payment for participants in the scheme. Please note that the OFS will close on May 29th. Existing participants of the OFS have been issued a letter by the Organic Unit of the Department outlining options. For new entrants it is important that you get your applications into IOFGA as quick as you can.

We are delighted to announce that the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards are back for their third year. They are open to all Irish retailers, producers and manufacturers across the whole of Ireland.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD has announced the opening of the new Organic Farming Scheme with immediate effect. Minister Hayes made this announcement during a visit to the farm of Mr John Purcell, Good Herdsmen, Organic Meat Processor, Golden, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

A recent Key Note Market Update showed the UK retail market for fresh fruit and vegetables fell by 0.8% in 2014, which was the first decline recorded over the five years examined by the report. The fruit sector exhibited modest value growth with all of the decline coming from the vegetable sector.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD, has announced that the new Organic Farming Scheme is to open for applications shortly. "Applications for the new scheme must be made online, the Minister said, but there will be no requirement to use an Agricultural Advisor to make the applications.

A recently released Mintel report on Retailing in Ireland shows that traditional supermarkets are facing a challenging time when competing with convenience stores and discounters. Consumers are still very much driven by getting good value for money, and attitudes towards discounter ranges are improving.

The Organic Standard is a monthly online magazine that is published in Spain. Each month there are a variety of articles focusing on organic regulations and standards and a host of other issues related to organic food and farming. IOFGA were invited to write an article on organic farming in Ireland.

Almost one in ten wild bee species in the EU faces extinction, mainly due to intensifying agriculture, research funded by the European Commission shows. About 9.1% of wild bee species across the EU face extinction in the near future, while another 5.4% are likely to become threatened, according to a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill recently announced DARD's continued support for the social farming initiative and allocated £30,000 over the next year to assist in its development.

Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill MLA recently welcomed the announcement of plans to establish a new marketing organisation for the agri-food sector.

New reports from Mintel and Euromonitor highlight the continuing strong growth of the free-from category, which doubled in size between 2009 and 2014 to reach a current value of £365m in the UK and £34m in ROI. While growth is expected to slow in the coming years, the UK market is still forecast to increase by over 50% between 2014 and 2019. The projections for ROI are slightly lower at 38%.

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:04:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17378-eco-eye-at-organic-college https://hortitrends.com/organics/17378-eco-eye-at-organic-college

We would like to thank Duncan Stuart and his team on Eco Eye for the coverage they gave our College last week on RTE. As Duncan says "Rural Ireland has always had its economic struggles and since the recession, they have become more pronounced. Emigration and the flight to the cities has left many communities fighting for their survival."

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:02:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17371-iofga-agm-and-conference-2015 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17371-iofga-agm-and-conference-2015

The IOFGA AGM and Conference was held Tuesday 24th February in the Tullamore Court Hotel. At the AGM Thomas O Connor IOFGA Chairperson, was delighted to welcome Birgitta Curtin, Trevor Harris and Michael Keane onto the Board. Gillian Westbrook, IOFGA General Manager thanked outgoing members John Paul Crowe and Breege O Brien for their dedication and hard work over the past three years.

Delivering the keynote address at the Biofach organic show in Nuremburg, Germany, Commissioner Hogan said the continuing growth in sales of organic food exports highlighted the potential of the industry.

The 26th Biofach was opened this morning by the Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, the hugely successful trade show is a fantastic place to do business with over 42,000 visitor expected this year. 

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:03:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17335-iofga-members-exhibiting-at-biofach https://hortitrends.com/organics/17335-iofga-members-exhibiting-at-biofach

There are 9 organic companies exhibiting at Biofach this year, the world's largest organic trade show runs from February 11th -14th in Nuremburg, Germany. Anyone who goes to Biofach cannot help but be impressed by the sheer volume and quality of organic food on display. IOFGA members exhibiting this year include;

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Fri, 13 Feb 2015 08:04:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17321-over-million-meals-donated-to-charities-by-tesco-using-surplus-food https://hortitrends.com/organics/17321-over-million-meals-donated-to-charities-by-tesco-using-surplus-food

Over 500,000 meals or 230 tonnes of surplus food from Tesco stores has been donated to charities across the country since the launch of its partnership with FoodCloud last July. Over 250 charities are receiving food donations from their local Tesco store on a weekly basis to help support their community causes which includes helping the homeless, meals on wheels delivery services or weekly socialising dinners for the elderly.

In 1862 Friedrich Albert Fallou, a German lawyer and soil scientist wrote:

"There is nothing in the whole of nature which is more important than or deserves as much attention as the soil. Truly it is the soil which makes the world a friendly environment for mankind. It is the soil which nourishes and provides for the whole of nature; the whole of creation depends upon the soil which is the ultimate foundation of our existence."

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Mon, 26 Jan 2015 08:03:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17213-minister-coveney-announces-plans-for-a-new-2025-agri-food-strategy https://hortitrends.com/organics/17213-minister-coveney-announces-plans-for-a-new-2025-agri-food-strategy

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD announced his plans for a new Agri-Food Strategy up to 2025. "This Strategy will be developed by a Committee of leading figures from the agri-food sector and will set out the key actions required to maximise the contribution of the sector to economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability over the next decade". The Minister said that he expected the new Strategy to be published in July 2015.

A preference for local food is a growing trend amongst consumers in the UK and Ireland, according to Bord Bia's Periscope report. In Ireland, 7 out of 10 adults consider buying local produce to be important when shopping for food – as a comparison; just over half of adults in the UK feel the same. 

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Mon, 15 Dec 2014 08:03:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17157-growing-demand-for-organic-food-in-sweden https://hortitrends.com/organics/17157-growing-demand-for-organic-food-in-sweden

The sale of organic food in Sweden has grown rapidly over the past year, and has spread throughout all food categories in the main supermarket chains. Analysis from Ekoweb forecasts that organic food sales will grow by 30% in 2014. 

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Mon, 08 Dec 2014 08:03:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17140-consumers-unwilling-to-pay-premium-create-challenges-for-food-companies https://hortitrends.com/organics/17140-consumers-unwilling-to-pay-premium-create-challenges-for-food-companies

Food companies face the challenge of consumers not willing to pay a premium for high standards, a new report The Long and the Short of It has found.  Produced by the Sustainable Food Supply Chain Commission, which included academics from the University of Warwick, The Long and the Short of It argues: "Companies that aspire to promoting social and environmental sustainability in their supply chains are competing with other companies that may not share those aspirations".

95% of consumers in Ireland would like to see 'Country of Origin' labelling on all grocery food and drink products. Only 11% of shoppers surveyed believe that country of origin on food is very clear. The research by Love Irish Food, was conducted by Ignite Research among 1,000 respondents across Ireland, in October. Respondents were wholly or partially responsible for their households grocery shopping.

NOTS (National Organic Training Skillnet) are organising a series of information evenings on organics and the new CAP. If you are an existing organic farmer or thinking of converting to organic farming, then these information sessions will provide you with clear and concise information on your options: The agenda on the night will cover the following topics:

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Thu, 20 Nov 2014 08:03:00 +0000 https://hortitrends.com/organics/17111-the-rungis-market-looks-to-the-future-with-organic https://hortitrends.com/organics/17111-the-rungis-market-looks-to-the-future-with-organic

The Rungis wholesale market has solid credentials to merit the claim of being the world largest food market, with 18 million consumers within its reach. It has access to transport by road, rail and air with over 1.4 million tons of food delivered to the physical market in 2013, and over 1,000 companies working in the market, employing 11,770 people.

]]> manny@hortitrends.com (Manny Lynn Largo) Organics Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:04:00 +0000