Bio breeding stock 21.0 – only organic calves on organic farms

The work and discussions carried out as part of the project "Bio breeding stock 21.0" have highlighted significant inconsistencies that are difficult to accept in the context of production that complies with Bio Suisse regulations. 

The market and current conditions are pushing farmers to sell their calves at an early age – unless they personally place great importance on maintaining a coherent and truly organic approach. Releasing calves at a young age is frequently associated with increased antibiotic use and involves husbandry practices that do not meet organic standards.

The most important reasons identified in the project for the early selling of the calves include::

• The costs of weaning replacement heifers for fattening, which are not reflected in the price of milk, replacement heifers or meat.
• An insufficiently developed market for organic replacement heifers in French-speaking Switzerland, which benefits better-organized conventional traders.
• Poor utilization of surplus proteins from butter production and the conversion of plant proteins into animal proteins.
• Poor supply to the organic meat sector in terms of quantity and a lack of significant difference compared to conventional meat (AQ-Viande).
• A shift in responsibility for keeping calves for milk production in conditions that comply with Bio Suisse regulations.

• Further programmes

• Schmid Nathaniel (Department Suisse Romande)

• Staehli Pamela (Department Suisse Romande)

Project manager

• Department Suisse Romande (FiBL Switzerland)