Here at Daioni Organic, we have been farming organically for over 20 years. We are dedicated to the highest standards of sustainable organic farming practices and the production of quality organic products, treating our animals and the environment with the utmost care and respect. This lies at the heart of Daioni Organic and everything we do. Organic farming is the best type of farming and we know that, quite simply, the best farming leads to the best food. But what does organic mean?
What does organic mean?
According to Organics International, “Organic farming is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.”
Essentially organic farming means working more with nature without the use of any chemicals, covering four key principles of health, ecology, care and fairness. It aims to support our whole food system in a way that is better for the planet, better for wildlife, better for animals and better for your food.
All organic farms and organic food in the UK must be certified by the Soil Association, undergoing a rigorous audit every year. The Soil Association logo is a symbol of trust gives reassurance that your food has come from trusted sources, produced to the highest standards.
Organic farming is better for the planet
Did you know that organic farming can help to combat climate change? Pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, used in conventional farming methods are banned under organic farming standards. The conventional way produces fertilisers by burning fossil fuels. Organic farms create fertilisers from natural byproducts, which is better for the land, the animals and helps to reduce emissions.
Organic soils tend to be much healthier as they have a higher percentage of organic matter than soils on conventional farms. This is due to the higher level of manure and compost used on organic farms which put much needed nutrients back into the soil. As a result, organic soils can store more carbon from the atmosphere and also more water, making organic farms more resilient in the face of climate change.
It is a well-known fact that cows are big producers of greenhouse gases. Here at Ffosyficer Farm, we are taking extra steps to reduce our emissions. Seaweed has been proven to reduce methane emissions by up to 80% when added as a feed supplement. As well as this, it is a natural source of vitamins and minerals so it’s a winner all round! Similarly, turmeric is also added to our cows’ diet, which can reduce methane production by 30%.
We don’t use any fertilisers in organic farming, just slurry (cow manure!). We spread ours through a trailing shoe direct into the ground rather than the traditional method of spreading it into the air. This reduces ammonia emissions by 98% and is a more efficient use of this natural fertiliser.
Organic farming is better for wildlife
Intensive farming is the main cause of insect decline due to the heavy use of pesticides. On the flip side of this, organic farming actually encourages wildlife as we recognise that pollinators are globally important for the growth of commercial crops. At Daioni Organic, we don’t use any chemicals whatsoever, resulting in organic farms having around 50% more bees, birds and other pollinators with, on average, 30% more species.
On our Ffosyficer Farm we also encourage biodiversity through the Glastir Advanced conservation scheme. This scheme sets out rules and guidance to help preserve natural habitats for wildlife, such as hedgerows. We are only allowed to trim our hedgerows at certain times of the year, and they must be maintained to a minimum height allowing our native birds’ breeding seasons to remain uninterrupted.
We have over 40 miles of hedgerows on our farm, that’s the equivalent length of over 700 football pitches! We love to see our hedgerows bursting with life!
Organic farming is better for animals
We are proud to adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare, set out by the Soil Association. Our organic cows are truly free-range, having access to outdoor grazing whenever the conditions allow which is, on average, more than 200 days of the year. Giving our cows more space to roam, both indoors and outdoors, minimises the risk of stress and disease. We have a dedicated herdsman who is familiar with each and every cow and recognises when any intervention is needed.
Diet is of course key to animal health. Organic animals are fed a completely natural and organic diet, free from any genetically modified (GM) ingredients. Our lovely ladies enjoy a nutrient-rich grass-based diet which must be from a minimum of 60% fresh or conserved grasses. You may have read the term ‘pasture’ on our Instagram before, pasture means land that is covered with grass or other vegetation suitable for animal grazing.
We prioritise animal health from the moment our calves are born and we aim to give them the best start in life by feeding them ‘yoghurtised milk’. This is a healthier drink for our calves, full of probiotics, which prevents any digestive upsets. Just like the way humans eat yoghurt and take probiotic supplements!
Organic farming standards for antibiotics are particularly strict under the Soil Association. Even the most critically important antibiotics are restricted by Soil Association standards. Homeopathic treatments must be prioritised with antibiotics only allowed when no other treatment would be effective and they must have veterinary justification.
Organic farming is better for your food
Food produced to organic farming standards is always free from:
– Pesticides and other chemicals
– Artificial colours, flavours and preservatives
– GM ingredients
Organic food also benefits from nutritional differences with organic milk containing up to 50% more Omega-3 than non-organic milk.
Daioni Organic
All Daioni Organic products are 100% organic, we are proud organic farmers and producers of high quality organic products. “Dye-on-knee” means “goodness” in Welsh and we believe it starts with goodness! Everything we do, we do with goodness in mind. As organic farmers, we farm in harmony with nature as we know that what it good for our soil, is good for the planet and is good for you. From our organically certified farms, to our communities near and far, to the products on the shelves, we never compromise on goodness. From our family farms, to your family’s fridge. You can check out the Daioni Organic product range here.
Here’s Daioni Organic’s top 5 organic farming facts:
1. Organic farming creates sustainable health for the land, people and planet
2. It can help to combat climate change through reduced of chemical fertilisers
3. Organically managed farms are home to 50% more bees, birds and other pollinators
4. Antibiotics and hormones are banned under organic standards
5. All Daioni Organic products are certified by the Soil Association, the UK’s leading organic certifier