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How are livestock converted?
Livestock can either be converted at the same time as the land used to feed them (known as Simultaneous Conversion or simcon) or can start conversion once the land has completed its conversion. For livestock in simcon their offspring, born during the conversion period, can be traded as organic after the land has completed conversion, subject to the appropriate conversion periods as detailed below.
Dairy cattle must undergo a 9-month conversion period before the milk can be sold as organic. The final 6 months of which must be in accordance with the full feeding standards. This usually means grazing the cows on organic pasture for six months before the milk can be sold as organic.
Beef cattle must be managed to the standards for 12 weeks before their offspring can qualify as organic.
Sows can be served only after the land has become organic and must be managed in accordance with the standards from then on for the weaners to be marketed as organic pigs.
A flock of laying birds can be introduced after the land has become organic and must be managed in accordance with the Standards for 6 weeks before the eggs can be sold as organic.
Table birds must be introduced at less than 3 days old onto organic land, and be managed in accordance with the standards until slaughter.
Livestock can not be sold as ‘in-conversion’ but can be sold as in ‘simultaneous conversion’ if we have approved this.