Situated on the banks of the River Bann in Kilrea, Co. Derry / Londonderry, Culmore Organic Farm is run by David Laughlin, his wife Ann and son Andrew. Culmore is one of Northern Ireland’s best-known organic farms, specialising in organic milk and beef production among other things.
David decided to swap conventional farming for organic farming in the late 1990s. His philosophy and approach to food production has always been to improve the land naturally, meaning no artificial fertilisers or chemicals are used.
“I decided to go down the organic route after spending a year in New Zealand in 1983. I witnessed good grassland management practice out there and brought a lot of that home with me,” he explains.
On his 250-acre farm, David’s herd of 100 organic Jersey and Ayrshire cows are milked by a Lely robotic system, which he installed six years ago. He also rears about 50 organic beef cattle at any one time and produces organic potatoes, fruit and honey. The farm really is a hive of activity!
David is one of nine organic dairy farmers who supply their milk to Ballyrashane Co-Op (now Lacpatrick after merger with Town of Monaghan). He was recently granted a licence to sell raw (unpasteurised) milk and has opened a raw milk packing facility on-site. To encourage greater production of organic milk, beef and cereals, David and Rex Humphrey, who farms 560 hectares, set up United Irish Organics Ltd. The milk from United Irish Organics producers is from cows reared and maintained in accordance with organic standards.
“Rex is managing director and I’m a director,” says David.
“The company is functioning in a stable manner. It gives us control over what milk prices we pay to our farmers. Our dairy products are distributed throughout Northern Ireland.”
David is also secretary of the newly-formed Organic NI, which represents the interests of about 120 organic farmers in Northern Ireland. The body recently successfully lobbied the North’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for EU funding under the new Rural Development Programme.
“It’s the first time in five or six years this has happened. The funding is a major shot in the arm for organic farming in Northern Ireland, which had been stagnant for quite a while. It also ensures we’re on a par with the Republic, whose organic farming sector has been more progressive in recent years.”
Culmore Organic Beef was established in 2008 with the purpose of marketing organic beef to local consumers, as well as supplying some local restaurants with a high quality, dry-aged beef. The Laughlin family closely follows the ethos of high animal welfare and sustainability.
The Laughlin’s are also committed to lowering their carbon footprint where possible and, to this end, have installed a medium-sized wind turbine, which produces more electricity than they use in a year (over 70,000 units). They also have a 20-acre, organically managed hardwood forest, planted in 1994, which sequesters large amounts of carbon annually.
On the same principle, the family has a local abattoir licensed to slaughter their beef, and a local butcher does all the meat preparation and packaging. The beef travels less than 25 miles during the whole process, which is a uniquely low food miles figure for any food.
“We adopted a really simple, chemical-free, natural approach to produce the tastiest organic beef in the country. Because we take time and great care rearing our animals, we wanted to do the same for our customers and create a more personal, dedicated service,” David continues.
Culmore Organic Farm has branched out into growing organic potatoes and fruits, as well as honey production. Traditional Irish apples and pear varieties are grown on three acres of orchards, while there is a rich bio-diverse habitat supporting large bee and plant populations. A winner at the Northern Ireland Food & Drinks Awards in 2009, the farm is fully certified by the Soil Association and is 100 per cent organic.
Culmore’s vision for the future is that it will soon be able to offer ready-to-cook, organic meals which will incorporate mainly Culmore Organic Farm produce. One example is an organic Shepard’s Pie, to serve one or two people, and this will be aimed at discerning young couples who are both working, but still want a convenient organic meal.
Culmore Organic Farm is considered one of Northern Ireland’s leading organic farms, so much so that it regularly hosts farm walks which offer an opportunity to explore alternative farming practices. Indeed, HRH Prince Charles paid the farm a visit in 2003. For honest, natural food, free of harmful chemicals and reared with care, why not give David a call.
Culmore Organic Farm
Bann Road,
Kilrea,
Coleraine,
Co. Derry / Londonderry BT51 5RY
Telephone: 028 295 40272
E: [email protected]
www.culmoreorganicfarm.com
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 10, November 2015
