Preface to the twelfth edition (2023)Preface to the first edition (1994)AcknowledgementsSECTION 1: INTRODUCTIONWhy an Organic Farm Management Handbook?What is organic farming?Organic farming in the United Kingdom and in EuropeThe nature of the organic farm businessGross margins and organic farming systemsFurther readingSECTION 2: MARKETINGMarket developments and organic consumersMarket outletsMarket developments during 2022/2Accessing the organic marketsRural development grants for marketing and processingFurther readingSECTION 3: CERTIFICATIONOrganic farming production standards in the UKInternational Federation of Organic Agriculture MovementsOrganic Farmers & Growers CIC.Organic Food FederationBiodynamic Agricultural Association (BDA Certification)Soil Association CertificationIrish Organic AssociationOrganic Trust CLG.Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd.SECTION 4: CONVERTING TO ORGANIC FARMINGThe conversion processConversion costsConversion planningOrganic conversion information and advisory servicesConversion support under the organic farming grant schemesStep by step guide to organic conversionSECTION 5: WHOLE FARM PERSPECTIVESWhy a whole-farm approach?Whole-farm financial performanceArable systemsDairy systemsBeef/sheep systemsSpecialist horticultural systemsOrganic Farming Support SchemesDirect paymentsPayments for Less Favoured Areas (LFAs)Further readingSECTION 6: CROP PRODUCTIONSoil management, soil analysis and rotation designCrop nutrition and nutrient budgetingSeeds, seed potatoes and transplantsCrop protectionFurther readingSECTION 7: ARABLE CROP MARGINSGeneral information and assumptionsFurther readingWheatSpelt wheatBarleyOatsRyeTriticaleField beansDry peasLupinsSECTION 8: ROOT CROPS, FIELD-SCALE VEGETABLES AND HORTICULTURE GROSS MARGINSGeneralPrices and marketing outlets/costsFurther readingSeed potatoesPotatoesCarrots and parsnipsBeetroot and table swedesLeeksOnionsCauliflower and CalabreseCabbagesLettuceCourgettesCelerySweetcornStrawberriesApples and PearsPerformance of small organic production holdingsSECTION 9: FORAGE CROPS AND GREEN MANURESForage and catch cropsPermanent grasslandLeys and grasslandGreen manures/cover cropsArable forage, forage brassicas and root cropsUndersown forageFurther readingSECTION 10: LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIONRole of livestock on organic farmsLivestock nutritionLivestock healthCalculating livestock units for grazing animalsSupport payments for livestock and stock disposalFurther readingSECTION 11: LIVESTOCK GROSS MARGINSDairy cows - Friesian/Holstein all year round calvingDairy cows - Friesian/Holstein, spring calvingBeef productionSheep productionPig productionLaying hens (producer-packer)Table poultry (producer-killed and dressed)SECTION 12: FIXED COSTSLandLabour use and costsMachineryManure handling and storageAgricultural WasteBuildings and other capital assetsSECTION 13: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTEnvironmental management and organic farmingAgri-environment/Environmental Land Management grant schemesTrees and hedges on farmsAgroforestryFurther readingSECTION 14: SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATIONThe importance of informationProviders of advice, information, training, and eventsPublicationsSECTION 15: ADDRESSESOrganic membership organisationsOrganic advice and researchOrganic education and trainingGovernmental grant-awarding agencies and advisory servicesSECTION 16: INDEX.