Contributing to sustainability through organic farming

Hewitt Food’s Pegunny aggregation in Central Queensland.

One of Australia’s largest organic beef companies says reducing the use of pesticides is key to ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the beef industry, and helping the nation meets its international obligations and biodiversity targets.

Hewitt Foods manages 33,000 head of cattle over two million hectares of certified organic land across eight properties and aggregations. General Manager Environment and Sustainability, Nathan Moore, says the company has set itself the goal of being the world’s most sustainable meat producer, and to “feed the world with a system that lasts forever”.

“The health of our natural grazing systems is crucial to delivering the best on-farm outcomes for the environment,” Mr Moore said.

“Our organic farming practices are gentle on the environment, avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers that can reduce soil health, contaminate waterways, and impact biodiversity. This allows the natural cycling of nutrients through the ecosystem and promotes a healthy and balanced environment.”

Mr Moore says sustainable practices promote the conservation of biodiversity and foster healthy soils which are the foundations of life.

“Every day the beef industry is improving its practices and mindset towards sustainability, and we pride ourselves on being an industry leader here,” he said.

“The ABSF acts as a key driver of change and continues to encourage and support producers on their sustainability journey. Beef producers are essential in the global transition to sustainability and the industry is working hard to make it happen.”

New international agreements are also setting down targets for improvements in sustainability. In December, the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) ended with a landmark agreement to guide global action on nature through to 2030. COP15 resulted in the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) which includes 23 targets to be achieved by 2030 such as:

• Reducing excess nutrients lost to the environment by at least half including through more efficient nutrient cycling and use.
• Reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half including through integrated pest management, based on science, taking into account food security and livelihoods.

“We recognise the importance of protecting the land and using the most sustainable practices to regenerate our environment for a positive impact on the planet,” Mr Moore said.

“We have no doubt that one day, the beef industry will be strongly associated with sustainability, and as a community that joined forces to promote sustainability for future generations.”

Josefine Pettersson, Acting General Manager of peak organic industry body Australian Organic Limited, said a more comprehensive understanding and true cost accounting of pesticide use should be integrated into sustainability frameworks and environmental programs.

“Our major trading partners like the EU, USA, Japan and South Korea have strategic land conversion goals to reduce toxic pesticide use, highlighting the importance of holistically grazed livestock within a sustainable agricultural system,” Ms Pettersson said.

“When consumers buy certified organic meat, they are ensuring the animals have been raised under some of the most stringent welfare protection requirements in the world.

“Over one billion dollars is spent annually on veterinary pharmaceuticals in Australia. Together with the ABSF we would like to see this increase for pain relief, however, decrease for the other categories.”