Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
premium for organically produced livestock products, and the increasing
cost of nitrogen fertilizer and cereal grains as livestock feed creates a fur-
ther incentive for beef and dairy producers to increase the use of pasture.
The differences in the fatty acid composition of organic milk and meat
are well-documented, and consumer preference for purchasing livestock
products that have been produced without the use of antibiotics or growth
hormones continues to increase; therefore, certified organic agriculture
continues to be the fastest growing sector of US agriculture.
REFERENCES
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cinkowski, D.P.; Murphy, M.R.; Schwab, C.G.; Erickson, P.S. Maximizing profit on
New England organic dairy farms: An economic comparison of 4 total mixed rations
for organic Holsteins and Jerseys. J. Dairy Sci. 2011, 94, 3184-3201.
2. United States Department of Agricultue, National Agricultural Statistics Service
(USDA-NASS). 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey; United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service: Washington, DC, USA,
2012.
3. Mirzaei-Aghsaghali, A.; Maheri-Sis, N. Nutritive value of some agro-industrial by-
products for ruminants—A review. World J. Zool. 2008, 3, 40-46.
4. Rinehart, L.; Baier, A. Pasture for Organic Ruminant Livestock: Understanding and
Implementing the National Organic Program (NOP) Pasture Rule; United States De-
partment of Agriculture, National Center for Appropriate Technology, National Sus-
tainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA): Washington, DC, USA, 2011.
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management between Wisconsin organic and conventional dairy herds. Livest. Prod.
Sci. 2005, 93, 105-115.
6. Gillespie, J.; Nehring, R.; Hallahan, C.; Sandretto, C. Pasture-based dairy systems:
Who are the producers and are their operations more profitable than conventional
dairies? J. Agr. Resour. Econ. 2009, 34, 412-427.
7. Hoshide, A.K.; Halloran, J.M.; Kersbergen, R.J.; Griffin, T.S.; DeFauw, S.L.; La-
Gasse, B.J.; Jain, S. Effects of stored feed cropping systems and farm size on the
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8. Zwald, A.G.; Ruegg, P.L.; Kaneene, J.B.; Warnick, L.D.; Wells, S.J.; Fossler, C.;
Halbert, L.W. Management practices and reported antimicrobial usage on conven-
tional and organic dairy farms. J. Dairy Sci. 2004, 87, 191-201.
9. Benbrook, C. Shades of Green: Quantifying the Benefits of Organic Dairy Produc-
tion; The Organic Center: Washington, DC, USA, 2009.
10. Matthews, K.H.; Johnson, R.J. Alternative Beef Production Systems: Issues and Im-
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