Organic production practices are just one of the many
options available to livestock producers to grow and market quality
livestock and wholesome end-products.
Organic livestock management
practices offer unique rewards and challenges to the livestock producer
regardless of the animal species produced. Organic livestock production
often necessitates the integration of animal-pasture-crop production to
be successfully.
There are a number of considerations that need to be
addressed to successful produce certified organic livestock and
products.
Considerations for Organic Livestock Production
Origin of Livestock:
Livestock and products from the livestock that are sold, labeled, or
advertised as organic must be from livestock that originate from animals
that were managed under continuous organic management from the last
third of gestation or at hatching.
Livestock Feed:
Livestock that are produced under organic management must have their
total ration that is comprised of agricultural products including
pasture, forage, and crops that are organically produced and handled
organically. There are certain nonsynthetic and synthetic substances
that can be used as feed additives and supplements. Dairy cattle under 9
months of age are allowed 20% of their feed come from nonorganic
sources. Plastic pellets, urea, manure, mammalian or poultry slaughter
by-products are not allowed.
Living Conditions:
An organic livestock
producer must create and maintain living conditions that accommodate
natural behavior and health of the animal. The living conditions must
include access to outdoors, shade, shelter, fresh air, direct sunlight
suitable to the species, and access to pasture for ruminants.
Waste Management:
Organic livestock producers are mandated to manage manure so that is
does not contribute to the contamination of crops, soil, or water and
optimizes recycling of nutrients.
Health Care:
Organic livestock production practices require the producer to
establish preventative health care practices. The health care practices
include selecting the appropriate species and type of livestock,
providing adequate feed, create an appropriate environment that
minimizes stress, disease, and parasites, administration of vaccines and
veterinary biologics, animal husbandry practices to promote animal
wellbeing in a manner that minimizes pain and stress. Producers can not
provide preventative antibiotics. Producers are encouraged to treat
animals with appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and other
conventional medicines when needed but treated animals can not be sold
or labeled as organic. Producers can not administer hormones or other
drugs for growth promotion.
Record Keeping/Audit Trail:
Organic livestock operations need to maintain records for a number of
reasons. Certainly, records are important for financial management of
the organic livestock enterprise. Likewise, records are important for
the verification of organic status of animals, production, harvesting,
and handling practices associated with the organic products and
animals. Records are mandated to be maintained for 5 years, and must
demonstrate compliance with the Organic Food Production Act.
For more information about organic livestock production, please see the resources listed here or contact your local UF-IFAS County Extension office.
