Judge Creek goes organic: a business plan for organic sheep and beef farming

The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme develops emerging agribusiness leaders to help shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs. Lincoln University has been involved with this leaders programme since 1979 when it was launched with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, USA.With the growing global demand for organic produce boosting organic premiums and a low-input farm management history, plus our desire to reduce our negative impact on the environment, we have decided to convert our farm, Judge Creek, to organics. Over the course of the year I have been interviewing farmers, both conventional and organic, and other relevant sources in a quest to learn how to successfully implement a conversion and manage the property under an organic regime