Elements and Performance Criteria
- Locate and access assistance in developing the OMP
- Locate and access sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs
- Assess industry publications and internet sources for their value in informing decision making
- Seek and consider contributions of work colleagues and others during planning process
- Access information from certifier and relevant Organic Standards on OMP requirements
- Design the organic farming system to be described in the OMP
- Develop or obtain map of property to be covered by OMP
- Determine time scale to be addressed in plan
- Collect information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships to serve as benchmarks for development of management options
- Obtain regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity and identify those applicable to property and sub-catchment
- dentify components of OMP that need to be developed
- Develop suitable format for planning documents
- Identify risks to organic integrity for the farm enterprise and outline strategies to manage these risks
- Develop soil fertility plan
- Undertake or commission a soil fertility assessment of farm production areas
- Map soil types and topography on farm plan
- Develop and document soil fertility plan that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment of soil test results, enterprise performance, overall budget and intended cropping/grazing regime
- Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce and/or agro-ecological principles
- Document plan according to established format
- Develop soil management sub-plan
- Determine suitability of land for production based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use
- Develop soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging
- Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
- Document sub-plan according to established format
- Identify farm management practices and strategies that enhance soil fertility
- Develop weed management sub-plan
- Identify problematic weed species and observe weeds as an indicator of soil health
- Identify life cycles of weeds species to inform management options
- Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
- Develop integrated farming strategies and cultural practices for managing weeds
- Document sub-plan according to established format
- Develop and design an integrated pest and disease management sub-plan
- Collect and document evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system
- Observe and monitor pests and diseases and their life cycles
- Evaluate evidence of pest and disease burden to develop strategy for management
- Evaluate pests and diseases as indicators of farming system health
- Identify options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, cultural practices and system redesign
- Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
- Document sub-plan according to established format
- Develop animal health and management sub-plan
- Identify regional and farm-based animal health issues
- Identify options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health
- Identify options for treating animal health issues
- Develop a sustainable grazing management plan that addresses feed requirements, stocking densities and meets regional catchment land and soil condition targets where applicable
- Develop an animal management program that ensures compliance to organic standards and/or agro-ecological principles
- Document sub-plan according to established format
- Integrate and finalise the organic management plan