This paper describes the research activity on the economic aspects of organic livestock production in Italy: production, processing and distribution. The research projects are related to development factors in organic livestock production, participation in the EU organic farming project and CAP: European comparison of the economic aspects of organic dairy models (fresh milk) and sustainable animal production analysis.
The research objectives are the determination of production costs and income of some organic milk farms of northern Italy and analysis of the dairy milk chain (production, processing, distribution and the role of institutions).
In 1997 a study of ninety-nine organic animal breeders was carried out on farms located in the regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Le Marche to gather technical and economic data.
In 1996 we began collecting technical and financial data from some organic dairy farms which produce fresh milk for the retail market. Data was collected from three family-run farms: Berti, Franchi and Neri all situated in the hill country (600 m) in Monzuno in the province of Bologna. The use of financial monitoring is also increasing in neighbouring family farms. In addition, financial auditing has become an essential part of the organization of a large cooperative farm of the plain area in the province of Modena (FertilCoop).
The research objective is to create a European network of organic farm models which represent different regional productive situations to compare their level of competitiveness.
The method consists of defining dairy farm models that adopt an organic method of production and the subsequent gathering of technical and economic data of the farm group. In the case in question, we have three family-run farms located in the hill country in the province of Bologna. This database will calculate the production cost, income, yields for 1996, in addition to preparing forecasts for the next ten years. Furthermore, we intend to study the reactions of the producers to agricultural policy and technical innovations.
The methodology proposed is from the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) Analysis of the FAL of Braunschweig TIPI-CAL 2.0 Questionnaire on Northern Italian Organic Dairy Farms (Torsten Hemme, Claus Deblitz).
The European research activity on organic milk has been submitted to Ann Haring (Institut für Landwirtschaftliche Betriebslehre (410A), University of Hohenheim, D-70593 Stuttgart ([email protected]); the Italian research activity was assigned to Raffaele Zanoli (University of Ancona, Faculty of Agriculture).
The researchers actually engaged are Danio Sarti (Centro di Studio sulla Gestione dei Sistemi Agricoli e Territoriali, Via Filippo Re 10, 40128 Bologna, Dept. of Economia ed Ingegneria Agrarie, University of Bologna [email protected]) and Francesco Ansaloni.
The research objectives are the definition of the concepts of sustainable animal production and the identification of the evaluation criteria for agricultural production and animal systems (use of resources, economic analysis and social responsibility of producers), with particular reference to organic livestock rearing.
Sustainable production is a real problem. Policy makers must face this problem and decide which productive farm model should be favoured. In general, the concept of sustainability should be included in the profit production system based on a solid ecological approach. This includes cropping needs, water conservation, erosion prevention, landscape preservation, energy efficiency along with animal well-being, the quality of life of the producers and of the society in which they live. Development support for sustainable production models consists of improving the professional level of the agricultural worker, organization and/or technological applications to make it possible to increase profitability and at the same time increase ecological efficiency (Quality System, breeding techniques, differentiated livestock categories, create educational programmes and promote healthy nutrition, management of animal waste, establish consulting programmes for new animal breeders and develop farmer associations and environmental education agencies).
Ansaloni, F. (1997): "Factors in the application of organic farming methods to Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese production: A research case", Newsletter of The European Network for Scientific Research Coordination in Organic Farming (ENOF), No.6, December.
Ansaloni, F. (1998): "Rapporti commerciali delle imprese zootecniche biologiche", Mediterraneo, Settembre.
Ansaloni, F. and De Roest, K. (1997): "Use of resources and development of organic livestock farming in Italy: first results of an ongoing study", Proceedings of the 3rd European (ENOF) Workshop "Resource Use in Organic Farming", Ancona, 5-6 June 1997.
Ansaloni, F. and Salghetti, A. (1996): "Latte biologico e derivati: l'organizzazione della filiera", in Economia Agro-Alimentare, Anno I, n.1, Novembre (vedi anche "La filiera del latte biologico e derivati" in Le filiere del biologico a cura di F.M. Santucci, Gruppo di Ricerca in Agricoltura Biologica GRAB-IT, Istituto di Economia e Politica Agraria, Università degli Studi di Perugia).
Ansaloni, F. and Sarti, D. (1996): "Aspetti economici della produzione di latte con il sistema dell'agricoltura biologica", L'Informatore Agrario n.13.
Ansaloni F. and Sarti, D. (1998): "Fattori di sviluppo della zootecnia biologica", Seminario di Studio Ce.Se.T dedicato al tema "Contabilità ambientale in agricoltura e selvicoltura, Cansiglio, 29 Maggio 1998.
