What is the difference between Organic Eggs, and Free-range?
You will have noticed that organic eggs cost more than non-organic, but you may not be sure why. There are many specific differences between the 2 systems (see table below), but in general terms organic production elements (such as egg-production) always work as part of a whole-farm system, so that it is not possible to operate a single element on its own. For example, consideration must be given to manure disposal, as organic standards restrict the amount of manure that can be applied to or left on the land, and also to the rotation of pasture to ensure it remains well-covered with suitable vegetation. It is therefore not possible to run 400 birds on a single acre of land in isolation, and call it organic, because provision must be made for moving the birds onto fresh pasture, and for utilising the excess manure on some other part of the farm.
