Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
storage of feeds on organic dairy farms to supply animals during drought
and winter months.
4.1.3 BEEF FEEDING PRACTICES
While production practices vary across regions, most beef cattle intended
for commercial beef production spend a majority of their lives on grass-
lands and are subsequently finished with grain in commercial feedlots.
The greatest divergence between organic and non-organic beef feeding
practices is therefore during the finishing phase. Approximately 80% of
non-organically raised beef cattle in the US are finished using grain-based
(usually corn) rations [10]. Conversely, in a survey of certified organic
beef producers in the US, 83% reported that they raised cattle exclusively
or predominantly on grass and hay until slaughter, while the remaining
17% reported using a grain finishing system [11]. All feeds consumed by
certified organic ruminants must comply with NOP standards; therefore,
all grains and conserved forages must be 100% certified organic. Vita-
mins, trace minerals and feed additives that are not produced organically
are allowed in the diets of organic livestock in trace amounts provided
they are allowed under the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Sub-
stances [12]. Finally, growth promotants such as ionophores and hormones
[13] and antimicrobials [14] that are commonly used in beef feedlot fi nish-
ing are not allowed in organic beef fi nishing.
4.2 ORGANIC PASTURE MANAGEMENT
The USDA definition of pasture is land that is used for livestock grazing
that is managed to provide feed value and maintain or improve soil, water,
and vegetative resources [12]. More specifically, the goals for pastures
managed for organic production of livestock are to build soil structure
and fertility, manage pests ecologically, conserve and promote plant and
animal biodiversity, and maximize forage quality and production. Because
organic and pasture-based livestock producers must rely on pastures man-
aged without chemical fertilizers or herbicides for milk production or live
