This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Helen Hughes who farms in Co Meath with her husband and mother. Helen works off farm in the building sector but runs the family suckler farm and has recently switched to organics.

She speaks about why she made the switch and what the conversion process has been like. She also discusses management decisions such as changing to a Hereford stock bull and her plans to incorporate clover in the swards.

This week on Organic Matters, we meet Monaghan farmer Gordon McCoy. Gordon farms on the border and was originally a carpenter by trade but wanted to return full-time to the farm. He considered organic dairy but decided to pursue organic egg production and now manages over 10,000 organic laying hens. He talks about the use of organic feed, and spacious housing for the hens when they are not outside as well as some of the opportunities and challenges of organic egg production.

Gordon also touches on other enterprises on the farm including organic cereals and beef and sheep.

This week on Organic Matters, we hear from Monaghan farmer Turlough Keenan. Turlough was previously a beef farmer but transitioned to organic tillage. Since then, he has been on a journey to create his own on-farm mill to produce flour from a range of heritage wheat varieties for artisan bakeries.

He speaks to Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about the story so far including his experience of organic tillage, the ins and outs of milling grain and the opportunities open to other farmers.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to organic farmer Gerry Deegan from Co. Westmeath. Previously an organic dairy farmer, Gerry changed his system to forestry and beef some years ago. During the transition, he became obsessed with manure and even had a custom-built machine made to turn farmyard manure into compost.

He speaks about the importance of high-quality manure on a farm.

Kicking off the first episode of Season 3 of our Organic Matters podcast, we speak to organic tillage and beef farmer Derek Kelly. Derek discusses growing several different crops, including rye and, wheat and peas in combination, as well as finishing organic cattle. He also shares his plans to try growing lupins as an organic protein crop to feed his cattle.

Listen to a follow-up interview with Derek here: https://bit.ly/3Kcd8ic

In the final instalment of Organic Matters for this season, we speak to Cork organic farmer Conor Sheahan. Conor talks about the tough decision to stop dairy farming in 2018 and focus on maximising profit from the beef side of his business.

This involved switching to organic and putting more emphasis on direct selling of Wagyu beef. The Wagyu is a breed that originally hails from Japan but Conor has made a market out of breeding, rearing and selling Wagyu beef directly to customers.

The Irish Organic Association would like to thank all our listeners for tuning into the Organic Matters podcast this season. We hope to be back soon with more engaging episodes in the new year.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Emer Fahy and Niall Moynihan from Duhallow Organics who sell all their organic meat directly nationwide. Dexter calves are born on the farm, with Emer and Niall working closely with neighbouring organic farms to rear and finish their animals off grass.

As well as the organic Dexters, the couple are currently trying to relaunch their organic poultry business and renovate an old property. They speak to our presenter Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about the ups and downs of their organic business.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Dublin based Bread 41 co-owner Eoin Cluskey. Eoin started life as a carpenter but gradually returned to his true love of baking.

After spending some time at Ballymaloe Cookery School, he developed a strong sense of the value of good food produced locally. He took these ideas and moulded them into the successful Bread 41 business today where they utilise organic flour and source from as many Irish farmers as possible.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to sheep farmer Selena McKenzie. Selena farms with her husband Alex in Co. Wicklow where they lamb up to 300 ewes every year, which are sold organically at a premium.

Selena speaks about the ins and outs of raising sheep from breed selection and herd health to nutrient management and fattening lambs.

The farm also has two Shepherd's Huts which the McKenzies rent out. Selena says that they can generate up to 20% of their overall farm income and that having visitors helps to remind them of the beauty of the place where they live.

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to the Bord Bia's Organic Sector Manager, Emmet Doyle. Emmet speaks about its plans for promoting Irish organic products both at home and abroad. He explains how Bord Bia are seeking to position the range of Irish organic produce, from beef and lamb to dairy and aquaculture, as premium products to international trade buyers.

With November marking the launch of Ireland’s first organic marketing campaign to raise awareness amongst consumers nationwide, Emmet also talks about work to further increase Irish consumer knowledge and understanding of organic food and farming in Ireland.