Pertwood Organic Farm

About Organic

• Holistic / Mixed Farming

It's our firm belief that successful organic farming can only be achieved through a holistic approach to farming. This means looking back to the early days of the 20th century when mixed farming (incorporating both livestock and arable) was the norm. Today we graze sheep and cattle on our permanent pasture, and on 4 year grass lays in rotation with cereal crops and legumes. Livestock aid fertility building and weed management.

• Better for the soil too...

Mixed organic farming at Pertwood has lead to less intensive use of the land with animal grazing rotating with the cultivation of crops. Fertile soil is essential to successful organic crop production systems, and synthetic fertilizer use is not allowed, therefore we use various other means to replace nutrients and improve soil fertility. Our organic soil management techniques build organic matter and humus, protect the soil from erosion, reduce nutrient loss, and maintain soil in a condition that supports diverse life-forms. Crop rotations are an essential component in fertility management, pest control and long-term sustainability.

For example, plants use Nitrogen (N) as a main component of amino acids and proteins, which are required for growth and yield. The primary source of N on an organic farm is atmospheric N fixed by legumes. Forage legumes and plow-down of legume green manure can provide most of the N required to grow crops. Nitrogen is provided to the organic farm through the application of composted manure (from cow sheds in winter, plus out in the field) and by incorporating straw and organic wastes back into the land.

Phosphorus (P) is important in many plant metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration, energy storage and transfer and protein and carbohydrate metabolism to name a few. Organically-acceptable sources of P include composted manure, crop residues, and green manure. Green manure can increase the availability of P. Legumes, buckwheat and mustard provide acidity around their roots which assists in stabilizing soil P and increasing uptake. 

Potassium (K) is also involved in several plant processes including production of structural components like lignin and cellulose which impart stalk strength and lodging resistance, influences CO2 uptake, photosynthesis and opening of stomata in leaves. It also influences water uptake and aids in disease and insect resistance. Sources of K include composted manure, but K is soluble and care must be taken to minimize leaching during storage. Much of the K is in livestock urine and will be held in the livestock bedding. Potassium can also be added to the soil in the form of composted straw and hay.

Whilst this form of farming demands greater long-term planning it not only encourages the existence of a far greater range of wildlife and flora, it is also more sustainable and will help future generations to continue farming on the land. Makes sense, don't you think? It's why we hang on to our manure like gold dust!

• Organic Principles

Pertwood is back on the map and taking its role as one of the UK's finest growers and producers of organic cereal crops and breakfast cereals very seriously. Our depth of experience and insight into the organic industry gives our products a special value.

The pristine environment and perfect growing conditions of over 2,000 acres of Wiltshire's chalk downlands, combined with the best of both traditional and modern agricultural techniques, allow us to produce great quality oats, rye and barley - much of which is then processed for our delicious tasting cereals.

Our organic principles often go far beyond the standards of The Soil Association; we believe strongly in the welfare of our animals and the preservation of the environment and we are determined that Pertwood will continue to act as one of the standard bearers for the UK organic farming community. Over time we want to open up the farm to visitors so they can discover for themselves the true value and merits of organic farming.

It is our firm belief that good food starts with good farming, and we have every intention of ensuring that Pertwood lives up to this belief and that we continue to be the UK's leading producer of quality organic cereals.

• Soil Association

Both our farm (Lower Pertwood Organic Farm) and our cereals (produced by the Pertwood Organic Cereals Company) have their organic status verified by the Soil Association, a not-for-profit business.

The Soil Association was founded in 1947 to support the development of farming techniques without recourse to agrochemicals, which these pioneers believed would eventually lead to the breakdown of soil fertility and be detrimental to health and the environment.

Much of the early research into organic techniques was carried out directly by Soil Association farmer members, and these were developed into a set of standards which control our farming and production practices. Any product sold as 'organic' must comply with strict rules set at UK, European and international levels. These rules, known as standards, assure consumers they are buying genuinely organic products that can be fully traceable back to source. The Soil Association standards not only meet the UK government's minimum requirements but exceed them - especially in areas concerning the environment and animal welfare. Organic standards cover all aspects of food production and packaging, animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and ban unnecessary and harmful food additives in organic processed foods.

For more information, visit http://www.soilassociation.org