Ruminant livestock have a special role in organic agriculture. They provide an essential component of a balanced crop rotation system with grass/clover leys and arable cropping. Consequently, the less intensive systems of beef, sheep and dairy production have led the development of organic livestock production in most European countries (Foster and Lampkin, 1998). Whilst organic beef production was initially far more common than organic dairy production in the UK, the latter has recently gained more importance, as marketing outlets and consumer demand for organic milk have developed.
There is very little published information on the number of organic dairy and beef farms in the UK at the moment. From collated information from the certifying bodies and the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative it is estimated that the number of organic dairy farms will be well over 400 in the year 2002 (this number includes all farms that have registered for conversion by April 2000). Similarly, the number of organic beef producers is growing rapidly, from some 120 farms in 1995 to an estimated 300-400 in 2002. Due to the improved premiums offered for the conversion period, growing consumer demand and the depressed state of the conventional sector, the present rapid growth of organic cattle production is expected to continue over the next few years.