Biocoop, S.C.G.
In 1998 eleven beef farmers decided to group together to form the partnership that is Biocoop. Their intention was to reorientate and reconvert their farms into productive units that respect the environment and the health of the consumers. To achieve these aims they decided to link two key factors: organic production methods and local breeds of cattle from the province of Ourense that are in danger of extinction (Vianesa, Frieiresa, Cachena, Caldelá and Limiá) as well as “Rubia Gallega”.
Geographic Region
Biocoop has its registered office in Verin: Travesia de Sousa 20. But it is active throughout all the province of Ourense. We have 28 partners in the following councils: Rios- A Viega- Laza- Verin- Monterrei- Calvos de Randin- Sandias- Allariz- Cea- Barbadas- Ourense- Coles- Quintela de Leirado- Entrimo- San Xoan de Rio and Montederramo.
Activity
In Biocoop we have three distinct areas of production:
Three of our partners run dairy farms that are in the process of reconverting to organic production methods.
Nine of our partners have intensive style beef farms that are part of the “Ternera Gallega” specific regional denomination.
Fourteen of our partners run free range organic beef farms.
In respect to commercialisation, we are responsible for packaging and selling the beef that is produced on our free-range organic farms.
Services that we offer our partners.
- Natural feed for the farms that produce “Ternera Gallega”.
- Organic feed for the farms that produce Organic beef.
- Medicines, both preventative and curative, for the farms that produce “Ternera Gallega”.
- Parasitic medicines for the farms that produce Organic beef.
- Fencing and solar powered electric fences.
- Fertilizers, feed, seeds and soil correctors: all produced by organic agriculture.
- Transportation of animals and raw materials.
- Biocoop environmental group: our multifunctional internal control mechanism for the partners that run organic farms. Its functions include:
1 Ensure that the farmers comply properly with the rules of organic agriculture.
2 Twice yearly; control inspections of the farms that include analysis of the soil, the water, useful fauna and raw materials
3 We apply for and monitor the Environmental grants that the farmers claim from the Ministry of Rural Environment
4 We apply for and monitor the C.R.A.E.G.A register entries for our farmers (inscriptions, transport documents, tolls etc.)
5 Information and technical assessment for our farmers.
6 We organize classes and educational excursions as well as informative talks. We also receive visitors on our farms.
7 We act as intermediaries with the various administrations and apply for the grants that are designed to improve organic farms.
To carry out these tasks we count on our team of technicians comprised of the Biologist Anabel Dacosta and the Agricultural Engineer Begoña Gomez.
FUTURE PROJECTS
We aim to increase the market presence of our organic beef (currently 500 bullocks a year) to enable us to create more organic farms that raise herds of endemic Galician breeds, to safeguard the rural world and the people that live in it. Sadly, the way of life if these people is under threat of extinction in these modern times.
We will install Web Cams in some of our farms so that our clients can establish a closer relationship with us via the Internet.
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