Re: No-Till Mania vs Organic

Steve Groff (sgroff@epix.net)
Sun, 09 Aug 1998 20:12:32 -0400

Greg & Lei Gunthorp wrote:

> Great post Steve. Keep everybody on track and keep reminding them that
> profit has to be there to keep an operation sustainable. A lot of farms
> around here have done a decent job on soil conservation but haven't made
> enough profit to be able to let the next generation farm. Sustainable
> farms have to last more than one generation!
> I have one question following down this no-till organic route. Is a
> no-till or organic corn/soybean rotation by itself sustainable?

Not in my area as land values in Lancaster County average $5000/acre! I agree
that livestock is definately needed to be sustainable for the long run if your
growing corn and beans. A well established veggie grower probably wouldn't need
animals to survive if they have a decent market, but the value of the manure
livestock produce is helpful. The benefits of diversity of enterprises can't be
under estimated as long as you have a market for the given product. Greg, I
applaud your efforts in trying to find new markets for your products. I don't
have any experience in marketing meat...... I wish you well. I know its tough.
For me, in the veggie business, the 2 most important aspects of marketing are
quality and consistancy.

Steve Groff

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