Caason Group owned Hay Farm – “Oolloo” expecting organic full certification compliance by September 2023

The Caason Group; parent company of Ti Tree Food & Fodder, which owns and manages the Oolloo Hay farm in the Northern Territory expects its current “organic in conversion” status to be certified as organic by September, 2023. An application for USDA NOP certification will also be processed at the same time.

Southern Cross Certified, the accredited body that will confer this status, have confirmed that recent soil tests carried out on Oolloo’s irrigated pivots have returned a zero chemical residue result. “This result augers well not only for receiving organic certification for local markets, but also for potential certifications required by beef markets overseas such as the USA” said Mr Craig Astill, the Managing Director and CEO of the Caason Group. “The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has its own specific standards for proteins categorized as Organic. Being able to access buyers that require this added certification will definitely justify our plans once approved to continue with the development plans we have for the farm in 2023 and 2024” Mr Astill said.

Mr Astill further added, that having implemented a new organic fertilizer regime in September 2022, with a view to enhancing crop performance and resulting in better soil conditions in 2023 and beyond, he is now confident of improved protein and sugar levels in hay crops with healthier soil conditions overall by next year. The change in fertilizer regime is expected to result in a reduction in water and fuel use on the property further improving the financial performance of its operations.