Perennial Wheat
‘Incubator’ Farm Page 7
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Biodegradable Mulches
Solar-Powered Farm
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TM
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service
Volume 27 | Number 6
November | December 2019
Grow Full-day Organic University builds farming skills Alwell inspired! By Audrey Experienced farmers, researchers, and agriculThis group of experienced professionals will walk you ture professionals will present in-depth, practical information on specific farming topics during Organic University Feb. 27, 2020, just before the MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The 10 classes run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Early registration opens Dec. 3 with classes priced at $160, a $60 discount off onsite tickets. Each class comes with a custom-made resource book with space for notes. New this year, participants can select a full-color ebook as a “green” alternative to the standard black and white spiral-bound books. For more information about each class and registration, go to OrganicUniversity.org.
Feb. 27-29, 2020 La Crosse, WI
where
farmers grow
“So much to take away from the weekend. I can’t wait to go again next year!” ~ Jessa Lane, Marshall, Wis.
Rotations for Reduced Tillage & Resilience Sound and strategic crop rotation plans set the foundation for successful organic grain production. Creating a purposeful crop sequence that integrates cash crops, cover crops, and soil-building phases can reduce weed and pest pressure, improve soil fertility, and decrease the need for tillage. Erin Silva teaches and researches organic cropping systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and leads the OGRAIN training program. Brian Luck specializes in biological systems engineering for University Extension. Dave Campbell is a longtime organic farmer from Illinois. John Wepking is exploring organic small grains on his Wisconsin farm.
through strategies for creating resilient and functional rotations that build soil while maximizing ecosystem function. They’ll address crop selection, cover crops, and the equipment that can help you reach your goals.
Financial Impact of Organic Grain Transition If the premium prices for organic grain have grabbed your attention and you’re considering a switch to organic, you need a clear picture of your path forward. This class will help you understand the opportunities and challenges in the organic grain market and give you tools to forecast your potential profits and prepare for a smooth transition. Paul Dietmann is a senior lending officer at Compeer Financial, a member-owned rural lending cooperative that’s part of the Farm Credit System. He is a co-author of the book Fearless Farm Finances: Farm Financial Management Demystified, which you’ll receive in this class. Jim Munsch, a grass-based beef producer, is one of the developers of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s “Compass” software tools that help producers analyze their operations to make data-driven financial decisions. They’ll walk you through crop budgets, cash flow projections, and financing options for the transition process, and introduce some handy decision-making tools. They’ll be joined by a panel of farmers who recently transitioned to organic and can share advice to help smooth the path for new growers. Organic University continues on 6
Organic corn, soybean production down in 2019 By Megan Thomas
“Far from home but so worth the trip.” ~ Stephanie House, Amissville, Va.
Be part of the conference everyone talks about.
SAVE with early bird tickets starting Dec. 3.
PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767
mosesorganic.org
The recently released 2019/20 Organic Commodity Outlook from Mercaris paints a picture of sharply reduced organic crop production along with an increased reliance on imports over the coming marketing year (MY). Unfavorable weather conditions and flooding resulted in losses in area and yields of both organic corn and soybeans this MY, despite expansions in the number of certified organic farm operations expected to harvest both crops. In particular, the U.S. Corn Belt suffered some of the largest organic corn production losses, with Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin totaling a combined 9,641 acres. To make up for this decline, a greater reliance on imports is expected over this MY. However, organic livestock production growth is expected to be slower over the 2019/20 MY, growing by only 1% compared to 4% growth in 2018/19. This slower growth in organic livestock production is expected to limit just how much imports will need to expand. U.S. organic corn production levels are at their lowest since 2016/17, with Mercaris reporting a 12% collapse in production over the 2019/20 MY. In the U.S. Corn Belt region, a number of organic corn acres that were not planted this season were pushed into organic soybeans and other crops, which ultimately caused larger acreage losses in organic corn over 2019. Further, organic corn yields are expected to decline 2%
year-over-year (y/y), and area harvested is estimated down 11% from the previous year. Organic corn supplies are expected to be further tightened through this MY due to reduced organic corn silage production coupled with increased demand for corn for livestock feed. Similarly, organic soybean production over 2019/20 is also expected to shrink, with Mercaris estimating a 14% y/y reduction in production following an 8% reduction in organic soybean acres harvested. Organic livestock feed demand is up this year, but the rate of growth has slowed compared to previous years. Organic broiler slaughter plateaued over 2018/19 and only reached 53.5 million head, relatively unchanged from the previous year. For comparison, organic broiler slaughter expanded from 50 million head in 2016/17 to 53.5 million head in 2017/18 MY, a 7% increase. Similarly, organic cage-free egg layer inventories were up only 1% in 2018/19 compared to 10% expansion the previous year. Regarding dairy, organic fluid milk sales ended 2018/19 up just 1% y/y. All in all, Mercaris expects organic livestock feed demand to grow by just over 1% over 2019/20, down from 4% growth during the previous MY. The reduced organic corn and soybean production outlook this MY along with growing livestock Organic Commodity Outlook continues on 8