Why Organic Farming Matters for Your Health and the Land
Written by Emile Siers-Jamieson, Founder of REGEN+. Reviewed by Josh Achten, BAppSc (Sports Nutrition), University of Otago.
Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides, artificial fertilisers, and routine antibiotics. For livestock, it means animals are raised on pasture with access to natural forage, without growth hormones or unnecessary chemical interventions. In New Zealand, organic certification is an audited process governed by bodies such as BioGro and AsureQuality, covering every stage from pasture management to final product (BioGro Organic Standards).
Key Takeaways
- Organic certification in New Zealand is governed by BioGro and AsureQuality, which audit farms and processors against strict standards covering animal welfare, pasture management, and processing (BioGro Certification).
- A 2012 systematic review found that organic produce was 30% less likely to contain detectable pesticide residues than conventional produce, though all levels fell within safety limits (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2012).
- The evidence for nutritional differences between organic and conventional food is mixed. Most studies find no consistent differences in vitamin content, though some report higher levels of certain antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in organic products (Heliyon, 2024).
- A meta-analysis found that organic farms support significantly more biodiversity, including birds, predatory insects, soil organisms, and plants, compared to conventional farms (Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014).
- In New Zealand, freshwater contamination from agricultural runoff is a major environmental concern, with nitrate levels exceeding safe limits in some rural water supplies (Science of the Total Environment, 2025).
What Does Organic Certification Mean in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, organic certification is governed by independent bodies, primarily BioGro and AsureQuality, which audit farms and processors against published standards. To carry an organic label, a product must meet requirements covering every stage of production: how animals are raised, what they eat, how the land is managed, and how the final product is processed and packaged (BioGro Organic Standards).
For livestock, this means no synthetic fertilisers on pastures, no routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones, no genetic modification, and no artificial additives in processing. The certification process involves regular audits, documentation, and traceability from farm to finished product. BioGro holds IFOAM accreditation and is recognised in the USA, European Union, Australia, UK, Japan, and Southeast Asia (BioGro Certification).
For consumers, the organic label is a verifiable guarantee that these standards have been independently audited. It is not a marketing claim. New Zealand is also developing a national organic standard, which will provide a consistent regulatory framework across all certification bodies (BioGro, National Organic Standard).
Why Does Organic Matter for Supplements?
When a supplement is made from animal organs, the quality of the raw material depends directly on how the animal was raised and what it was exposed to. The liver functions as the body's primary metabolic processing centre, and research has found that pesticide bioaccumulation factors in cattle liver are higher than in kidney, muscle, or milk, because the liver is the first site of pesticide distribution after oral exposure (Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, 2022).
Organic farming reduces exposure to synthetic pesticides and veterinary drug residues at the source. This matters particularly for organ supplements because freeze-drying removes water, which concentrates whatever is present in the fresh organ, both nutrients and any residues. Starting with certified organic organs means the concentrated product has a lower potential residue burden.
It is worth noting that conventionally raised meat in New Zealand is already subject to food safety regulations, and residue levels are typically within allowable limits. The choice to use organic organs reflects a precautionary approach: reducing exposure to synthetic chemicals where possible, rather than claiming that conventional products are unsafe.
Is Organic Food More Nutritious Than Conventional?
The research on this question is mixed, and the honest answer is that the evidence does not clearly support a sweeping nutritional advantage for organic food.
A widely cited 2012 systematic review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine analysed 223 studies and concluded that the published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. No consistent differences were found in vitamin content (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2012).
However, the same review found that organic produce was 30% less likely to contain detectable pesticide residues and that conventional chicken and pork carried a higher risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2020 systematic review similarly found no clear measurable health benefit from organic food consumption, while confirming reduced pesticide exposure (Nutrients, 2020). A more recent 2024 review noted that some studies report higher levels of certain antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in organic products, though results remain inconsistent across studies and food types (Heliyon, 2024).
The stronger case for organic in the context of organ supplements is not about nutrient content but about what is absent: reduced pesticide residues, no routine antibiotic use, and no growth hormones.
What Is the Connection Between Soil Health and Food Quality?
There is growing research into whether farming practices that build soil health produce more nutritious food. A 2022 study comparing regenerative and conventional farms found that regenerative fields had twice the topsoil organic matter and three times higher soil health scores, and produced crops with higher levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (PeerJ, 2022).
A separate review published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems argued that the organic versus conventional framing may be too narrow, and that soil health metrics (such as organic matter content and microbial diversity) are better predictors of nutrient density than the organic label alone (Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2021).
This research is still developing, and it would be premature to make definitive claims about soil health guaranteeing nutrient density. However, the principle is supported by emerging evidence: farming systems that prioritise biological soil health may produce food with a broader micronutrient and phytochemical profile than those that rely primarily on synthetic inputs.
How Does Organic Farming Benefit the Environment?
The environmental case for organic farming is better established than the nutritional case. Research has documented several measurable benefits:
Biodiversity: A hierarchical meta-analysis found that organic farms support significantly more biodiversity than conventional farms, with birds, predatory insects, soil organisms, and plants all responding positively. The effect was greater in landscapes with higher land-use intensity (Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014).
Water quality: In New Zealand, freshwater contamination from agricultural runoff is a major environmental concern. A 2025 study analysing over 3,800 water samples found that 30.9% of rural groundwater samples had nitrate levels exceeding half the maximum acceptable value, with dairy effluent identified as a primary source (Science of the Total Environment, 2025). Organic farming, which prohibits synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, reduces this type of contamination.
Soil health: Organic practices build soil organic matter over time, improving water retention, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage. Research has shown that organic management can help stop soil health degradation or even restore previously degraded soils (PeerJ, 2022).
Animal welfare: Organic standards require pasture access, adequate space, and management practices that prioritise animal health (BioGro Livestock Certification). In New Zealand, where pastoral farming is already the norm, organic standards go further by prohibiting routine antibiotic use, growth hormones, and the use of synthetic chemicals on pasture.
Is Organic Certification Worth the Cost?
Organic products are typically more expensive than conventional alternatives. This reflects higher labour costs, lower stocking rates, the cost of maintaining certification (including regular audits and documentation), and the constraints of managing pests and fertility without synthetic inputs.
Whether the premium is "worth it" depends on what you value. The nutritional evidence does not strongly support paying more for organic food on the basis of higher vitamin content alone. However, reduced pesticide exposure, better environmental outcomes, improved animal welfare, and the traceability that certification provides are all documented benefits that consumers may choose to support.
For organ supplements specifically, the concentration effect of freeze-drying makes the quality of the raw material more relevant than it might be for whole cuts of meat. Starting with certified organic organs provides an additional layer of assurance about what is and is not present in the final product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is organic food more nutritious?
The evidence is mixed. Most large-scale reviews have not found consistent nutritional advantages for organic food in terms of vitamin and mineral content (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2012). Some studies report higher levels of certain antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in organic products. The more consistent finding is lower pesticide residues and reduced antibiotic-resistant bacteria in organic food.
How do I know if a product is genuinely organic?
Look for certification from a recognised body. In New Zealand, BioGro and AsureQuality are the main certifiers. A certified organic label means the product has been audited at every stage of production, from farm to final product. International certifications include USDA Organic (United States) and EU Organic. Be cautious of terms like "natural" or "free-range," which do not carry the same verification requirements as organic certification.
Why is organic food more expensive?
Organic farming requires more labour-intensive practices, lower stocking rates, and an ongoing certification process with regular audit costs. The price also reflects the avoidance of externalised costs: conventional farming can be cheaper partly because environmental costs (such as waterway contamination and soil degradation) are borne by the community rather than being reflected in the product price (Environment Guide NZ).
Does organic certification guarantee the product is chemical-free?
Organic certification prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, and routine antibiotics in production. However, it does not guarantee zero chemical residues, as environmental contamination (from neighbouring farms, soil, or water) can still occur at trace levels. What certification does guarantee is that no synthetic chemicals were intentionally applied during production.
Is New Zealand beef already grass-fed?
Most New Zealand beef cattle are pasture-raised and primarily grass-fed, which is a result of the country's climate and farming traditions rather than a specific certification. However, "grass-fed" and "organic" are not the same thing. Grass-fed cattle can still be raised on pastures treated with synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and can receive routine antibiotics. Organic certification adds restrictions on chemical inputs, veterinary drug use, and processing that go beyond the grass-fed standard.
Are organic supplements better than conventional supplements?
Organic supplements start with raw materials that have been produced without synthetic chemicals, routine antibiotics, or growth hormones. For organ supplements, where the product is concentrated through freeze-drying, this means a lower potential burden of pesticide and drug residues. Whether this difference is meaningful depends on your priorities and risk tolerance. Both organic and conventional supplements in New Zealand must meet food safety regulations (MPI Food Safety).
What is the difference between organic and regenerative farming?
Organic certification focuses on what is prohibited (synthetic chemicals, GMOs, routine antibiotics). Regenerative farming focuses on actively improving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function, often using practices like cover cropping, rotational grazing, and minimal tillage. The two approaches overlap significantly, and many organic farms also use regenerative practices, but they are not the same certification. Some regenerative farms are not certified organic, and some organic farms may not employ the full range of regenerative techniques.
This article is for informational purposes only. The decision to choose organic products is a personal one that depends on individual priorities, including health, environmental impact, animal welfare, and budget. The information presented here reflects the current state of published research, which continues to evolve.
Last reviewed: April 2026.
Looking for a certified organic supplement? REGEN+ Organic Beef Organ Blend is certified organic by BioGro New Zealand, made from grass-fed New Zealand beef liver and heart.