Aims: Farming has been associated with respiratory symptoms as well as protection against atopy. To date, effects of organic farming on respiratory health have not been studied. A survey was conducted to 1) compare hay fever and asthma-like symptoms in organic and conventional farmers; and 2) assess associations between current and childhood farm exposures and respiratory health effects. Methods: Questionnaire data of 1205 conventional and 593 organic farmers were evaluated. Associations between health effects and farm exposures were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Organic farmers reported less wheezing with shortness of breath and slightly more hay fever than conventional farmers. However, organic farming was no independent determinant for hay fever when adjusted for farming practices and potential confounders. Livestock farmers who grew up on a farm had a three-fold lower prevalence of hay fever than crop farmers without farm childhood (OR 0.3, 95%CI 0.1-0.5). Crop farmers who grew up on a farm and livestock farmers who did not grow up on a farm also had a reduced prevalence, although less pronounced and not statistically significant. Use of disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds was positively related to hay fever (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.0-4.4). No effects of farming practices were found for asthma. Conclusions: Our study adds to the evidence that a farm childhood in combination with current livestock farming protects against allergic disorders. This effect was found for both organic and conventional farmers.