Why organic?
At Portnellan, for more than a quarter of a century we have made a conscious effort to farm
semi-organically. Not only do we have a mile of Loch Lomond’s shoreline to look after but we recognised that large quantities of nitrogen can be detrimental to the health of both the
soil and grass and can also adversely affect the health
of stock.
We have always firmly adhered to the two other main prerequisites of organic farming - that is, keeping animals in more natural, free-range conditions with a more natural diet and to minimise the use of antibiotics and other drugs. In 1999, we made the decision to convert to full organic
status.
The cows now graze on pastures that are totally free
from any artificial nitrogenous fertilisers, insecticides,
herbicides or fungicides. Instead, we use natural
products such as seaweed, lime and farmyard manure to
increase the fertility of the soil.
We rear our animals without the routine use of the
drugs, antibiotics and wormers that are so common in
intensive livestock farming (sick
animals, of course, are treated).
Organic principles rely on optimal animal management, from the adequate intake of colostrum (the thick first milk produced when the cow calves, which is full of nutrition and antibodies) to ensuring that they get the right amount of feed (usually just grass and silage) throughout their lives.
Our customers tell us they
buy our organic beef because it tastes brilliant and
many people realise that the
organic way of farming is sustainable and the
environment is protected for future generations.
We are very
proud of our mile of foreshore
|
Cows
graze in pastures totally free from artificial chemicals
Clover
flourishes in organic pastures, eliminating the
need for nitrogen fertilisers
Primroses, celandines and other wildflowers are plentiful at Portnellan |
