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Organic Livestock Production

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To consider livestock organic:

Livestock must be organically maintained from the last
third of gestation; poultry from the second day of life; and milk must be from animals under organic management at least one year prior to production.

Livestock feed must:

·         Be entirely organically produced agricultural products, including pasture and forage.

·         Contain no urea or manure.

·         Contain no mammalian or poultry slaughter by-products.

Livestock must have appropriate housing, pasture conditions, and sanitation practices to minimize the occurrence and spread of diseases and parasites.

Livestock must be administered vaccines and other veterinary biologics as needed to protect their well-being. However,

Livestock may not be treated with:

     ·       Antibiotics

·        Any animal drug, other than vaccinations, in the absence of illness.

·         Anyanimal drugs to promote growth, including hormones

Livestock must have access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate, and the environment. This requirement includes access to pasture for ruminant animals.

Manure from an organic livestock operation must be managed in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, heavy metals, or pathogenic organisms and optimizes nutrient recycling.

USDA National Organic Program Standards, established October 2002