Basics of Transitioning to Organic for Small Livestock Farms

Deciding to go Organic

Raising organic livestock isn’t for everyone. In a truly local food system where consumers know the farmer and their practices, going organic may not be necessary. Yet some farmers find going organic financially rewarding and in line with their and their customers’ values. This post gives a very brief description of the USDA Organic certification program. There are other designations that meat, eggs, and poultry can require, e.g., pasture-based, grass-fed, free-range, etc., that are not included in this post.

Under the USDA certified organic program, farmers and ranchers work with an accredited certifying agency and inspector to become certified to use the program label. There is a cost and upkeep associated with certification that may or may not make sense for small livestock producers.

Some Important Steps in Becoming Certified

Determining the Eligibility of the Land and Livestock

A farmer can apply for organic certification of their pastureland after 36 months of documented practices showing no prohibited materials were applied. Farmers and ranchers document all land use and material applications during the three-year transition period. This land requirement is crucial for organic livestock farmers and ranchers, as their animals must eat only organic feed and ruminant livestock must graze organic pasture. There are exceptions for some species.

The origin of the livestock is also important for organic certification. Organic livestock must be under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation, including organic milk and milk products from dairy animals. One exception to this requirement is that poultry and edible poultry products must be under continuous organic management by the second day of life.

Application Process

Certification takes 3 to 6 months to complete. The farmer submits the required documents with the application, such as a farm map, field histories, and the Organic System Plan that describes farm practices, record-keeping systems, and management practices. Farmers must also submit a list of all substances they may use on the farm.

Veterinarians need to pay close attention to the Materials List, which includes all potential feeds, insecticides, and health care products that may be used on the farm. It is important to note that organic regulations require sick animals to be treated with organically approved methods and/or conventional treatments, even if doing so jeopardizes the animal’s organic status. The organic inspector is trained to maintain confidentiality. They inspect every organic farm yearly. The renewal process involves updating the organic systems plan, having a yearly inspection, and paying an annual fee.

If you are interested in going organic, review the resources below for more information. Some programs might help you financially with your transition to organic.