USDA issues final rule on organic pasturing
Washington Ag Today February 15, 2010 The USDA on Friday issued its final rule on access to pasture for organic livestock operations be they beef or dairy. Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the rule offers clear and enforceable standards. Merrigan: “It requires that organic ruminant operations are pasture based, something consumers and most organic producers expect of the Organic Program. Let me get into some specifics. The rule requires that ruminant animals must graze pasture during the grazing season, which must be a least 120 days a year. A minimum of 120 days. It might be as many as 365 days depending upon where your operation is located in the country. But it must meet that minimum 120 day.” The rule also requires that animals must obtain a minimum of 30 percent of dry matter intake from grazing during the grazing season and producers must have a pasture management plan. Livestock are exempt from the 30 percent dry matter intake requirements during the finish feeding period, not to exceed 120 days. Livestock must have access to pasture during the finishing phase. The final rule becomes effective June 17, 2010. Operations which are already certified organic will have one year to implement the provisions. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
