Before deciding to apply, take some time to learn what changes are required to convert your farm to an organic system. Our team is here to support you through this decision. Once you are sure organic certification is the right fit for your business, the first step is to submit your application.
STEP 1
Our application process enables the team to gain a clear understanding of your farming system, the potential practices you will employ and any support that you may need to successfully convert to organic.
STEP 2
Farmers can select either AsureQuality or BioGro New Zealand as their organic certification body. Your certification body is responsible for audits, input approvals, and overall certification. They will guide you through the entire organic certification process, including requirements, timelines, and documentation.
STEP 3
Once you have a signed the Fonterra Organic Contract you can confirm registration with your chosen certification body and begin the process of organic conversion.
Organic certification provides customers, consumers and governments assurance that a product has been produced in accordance with the specified organic standard or regulation.
Fonterra certifies to a range of globally recognised organic standards enabling access to a broad range of customers and markets, which in-turn provides more value and stability to your milk price returns.
Fonterra Organic farms must meet the following organic standards (which can change as required).
An Organic Management Plan (OMP) outlines how your farm will operate within organic standards. Your OMP includes:
Your OMP is reviewed and updated each year during your annual audit.
Your chosen organic certifier will be able to support with required templates, we suggest checking out the resources they have available or contacting them directly for support.
Converting your farm to organic typically takes 3 years for land and 1 year for animals and involves a series of important steps and ongoing requirements. Understanding these will help ensure a smooth transition and continued compliance with organic standards.
Annual audits are required to verify compliance to organic standards and are a routine part of ongoing organic certification. Staying organised and maintaining comprehensive records throughout the year can reduce administrative workload during audits.
More information on the organic conversion process can be found in the Organic Toolkit. Your chosen organic certifying body will be here to support you through each of the stages of conversion.
Once Fonterra Organic certification requirements are met payments change from the Fonterra Farm Gate Milk Price plus organic conversion incentives to the Organic Milk Price.
See the section on Organic Milk Price and Financial Information for further information.
The changes you will see on farm during organic conversion will depend on your current setup. Changes will vary based on your existing practices and what’s required for organic certification. Below are some of the common shifts seen on farm.
