OLMC – The early days
1996 saw a group of like-minded organic farmers come together to form the The Organic Livestock Marketing Cooperative with a view to securing a market for their organic livestock and to ensure the sustainable growth of organic livestock farming. The Soil Association and the Organic Farmers & Growers were instrumental in its creation. From small beginnings their vision grew with increased membership and throughput of stock. OLMC was now in a position to engage Tim Leigh from AQM to market finished stock. Some years later a further arrangement was reached with Peter Jones to market store cattle.
The healthy balance sheet of OLMC is inpart due to these measures with the company now marketing in excess of 15,000 head of stock per year.
The Board of OLMC continues to closely monitor the company’s performance and a management plan and business strategy review currently being undertaken will help to maintain OLMCs profile as the most successful organic livestock marketing body in the country.
OLMC – how it works
- OLMC members are encouraged to buy a share in the company to benefit from its marketing expertise.
- A stock schedule provided by the members allows OLMC to accurately plan supply with demand.
- Where there is over-supply members will receive preference in moving their stock.
Finished stock
- Once notified that stock are available a farm visit can be undertaken.
- OLMC will identify the best outlet for the stock from its extensive network of outlets, endeavouring to attain the best return for the producer.
- OLMC will advise on all the necessary paperwork.
- OLMC will arrange transport through its network of Farm Assured hauliers.
- Guaranteed payment made to the producer within 14 days of collection.
- The cost of transport is met by the producer, along with OLMC commission. Depending on the class of stock being marketed the rates are currently between 2.5 and 3.5%.
Store stock and Dairy cattle
- Once notified that stock are available a farm visit can be undertaken.
- An extensive database of finishers allows OLMC to place stock to the best advantage of the producer, either by direct contact with the finishers or by offering the stock on the OLMC website stock page.
- Details of the deal are agreed by the vendor and the buyer in the form of a signed confirmation letter.
- OLMC will arrange all the necessary paperwork.
- OLMC will arrange transport through its network of Farm Assured hauliers.
- Guaranteed payment made to the producer within 14 days of collection.
- The cost of transport is met by the buyer, along with OLMC commission. Depending on the class of stock being marketed the rates are currently between 2.5 and 3.5%.
All producers and customers are encouraged to make themselves familiar with the OLMC terms and conditions, particularly with regard to farm assurance, organic certification and the health and status of the stock.
The Co-operative
OLMC is constituted as a Members’ Co-operative. Organic livestock producers are invited to join by purchasing one share. The running costs of the co-operative are met by a commission charge on sales of members stock.
By joining, producers will benefit from our professional range of services. They will also help to prevent the fragmentation of the market, which has done so much damage in the past to conventional producers.
In its development OLMC has established aims and principles that have proven to be of value to both its membership and customers and which include…
- OLMC provides national coverage for the marketing of organic beef and lamb and has a structured approach to the marketing of organic livestock. In addition, it operates a proactive strategy in the procurement and sales of store stock, both beef and lamb.
- OLMC gives you the opportunity to have a presence in all sectors of the organic meat market, mainly multiple retail, independent retail, butchers and processing. For many of our major customers OLMC is already accepted as their first choice supplier.
- OLMC strives to achieve the best possible returns for OLMC members.
- OLMC has a policy of fourteen days payment for all its members’ livestock with 100% insurance policy against bad debt.
- OLMC offers professional technical advice and provides regular feedback on the performance of individual members’ livestock (analysis and comparatives of carcass grades and weights etc.).
- OLMC has, apart from its own membership, a clear policy of working with other organic producer groups to help minimise fragmentation of the supply chain. It also has a supportive approach toward co-operating with producers, whether they are large or small.
- OLMC works to encourage growth of the organic market.
Mission statement
OLMC- the largest, member-owned cooperative, successfully trading in all classes of organic cattle and sheep across the UK since 1996.
OLMC- linking UK organic producers of finished cattle and sheep with organic abattoirs and processors.
OLMC- linking UK organic producers of store cattle and sheep with suitable organic finishing units.
Many of OLMC’s members have traded through the cooperative since its formation. These long-term commitments, based upon trust and integrity, enable OLMC to provide a distinct advantage to its members in the marketing of all classes of organic beef and dairy cattle as well as sheep.
