CV Ruminants Estonia 2026
Organic Sheep Production for Meat
Field-Based Learning on Organic Sheep Grazing, Housing and Flock Management
Estonia, Northern Region
2-3 June 2026
OrganicAdviceNetwork project aims at building a strong network of advisors with organic competences across Europe. As part of this mission, the project organizes cross visits for agricultural advisors to meet, exchange and share their innovative organic farming practices.
Estonia is a country where 23% of all agricultural land is certified organic, and nearly half of the country’s sheep and beef are raised under organic production systems. The diversity of Estonian sheep farms is quite varied, ranging from small family-run hobby holdings to larger commercial enterprises, each applying different grazing strategies and housing systems.
What you can expect from this cross visit
- Explore diverse organic sheep farming models: learn about rotational grazing and management of semi-natural pastures, compare three different sheep housing systems: 1) year-round outdoor production, 2) housing in polytunnels, and 3) barn housing.
- Engage in discussions on animal welfare, flock health and the practical management challenges associated with each system.
- Gain practical insights into on-farm slaughtering and butchering, short value chains and the “tail-to-nose” utilisation approach in organic sheep production.
- Discover how organic sheep farms diversify through agritourism, farm visits and rural education activities.
- Exchange with other advisors across Europe and Estonia.
Registration
You will be asked to provide some personal information, a brief description of your interest in joining this visit and your capacity to cover your travel costs. Participation is not guaranteed, because the number of participants who may join the visit is limited. Participants taking part will receive a confirmation message.
First-round registration deadline: 20 March 2026; Confirmation of application: 10. April 2026.
The registration deadline might be extended in case of undersubscription.
