Last week, after years of debates (some of which are still ongoing) the USDA finally released their new regulations surrounding organic labeling of meat and dairy.

The final USDA rules will help provides certainty to consumers that organic livestock production is a pasture based system in which animals are actively grazing pasture during the grazing season. According to the USDA, most organic dairy and ruminant livestock producers are already using the system – i.e. grazing animals and maintaining pastures that meet the requirements of the new rules. However, the new standards do contain clear requirements that can be used across the board and this is better news for consumers who want to be more sure of what sort of food they’re spending their money on.

The new USDA Organic standards for meat and dairy products must adhere to the following criteria…

• Animals must graze pasture during the grazing season, which must be at least 120 days per year;
• Animals must obtain a minimum of 30 percent dry matter intake from grazing pasture during the grazing season;
• Producers must have a pasture management plan and manage pasture as a crop to meet the feed requirements for the grazing animals and to protect soil and water quality; and,
• 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 new USDA Organic standards take effect in June but farms and ranches will have a year to comply with the new rules so consumers will be waiting a while before they can trust the organic labeling of meat and dairy across the board.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

New USDA Organic Standards for Meat & Milk