Organic Animal Production

Jude Maul Nick Marvell Heather Darby Patricia Milner

Organic Animal Production Introduction, national and local agroecosystem perspective: Jude Maul Sustainable Agriculture Systems Lab, USDA, Beltsville On the ground perspective, Maryland mixed production systems: Nick Marvell Nick’s Organic Farm, Maryland Research and northeastern perspective, Vermont and New England Extension and research in dairy systems. Heather Darby University of Vermont, Northwestern crops and soil program. Comments from the gallery: Manure handling and the concerns in animal/veg. crop production systems. Patricia Milner

Animals, Organic or not are a value added product Total US Production Livestock and poultry account for over half of U.S. agricultural cash receipts, often exceeding $100 billion per year. How are organic livestock and poultry raised? Organic meat, dairy products, and eggs are produced from animals that are fed organic Feed and allowed access to the outdoors. They must be kept in living conditions that emulate the natural behavior of the animals. Ruminants must have access to pasture. Organic livestock and poultry may not be give antibiotics, hormones, or medications in the absence of illness; however, they may be vaccinated against disease. Parasiticide use is strictly regulated. Livestock diseases And parasites are controlled primarily through preventative measures such as rotational grazing, balanced diet, sanitary housing, and stress reduction.

Organic Animal Production in the US U.S. certified farmland: acres Total 5,383,119 Pasture/rangeland 2,298,130 Cropland 3,084,989 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Organic Animal Production in the US U.S. certified farmland: acres Total 5,383,119 Pasture/rangeland 2,298,130 Cropland 3,084,989 U.S. certified animals: Livestock Beef cows 106,181 Milk cows 254,771 Other cows 1/ 113,114 Hogs & pigs 12,373 Sheep and lambs 5,914 Total Livestock 492,353 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Organic Animal Production in the US U.S. certified farmland: acres Total 5,383,119 Pasture/rangeland 2,298,130 Cropland 3,084,989 U.S. certified animals: Livestock Beef cows 106,181 Milk cows 254,771 Other cows 1/ 113,114 Hogs & pigs 12,373 Sheep and lambs 5,914 Total Livestock 492,353 Poultry Layer hens 6,663,278 Broilers 28,644,354 Turkeys 504,315 Other/unclassified 1,216,295 Total Poultry 37,028,242 Total certified operations* 12,880 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Animals, Organic or not are a value added product Total US Production Livestock and poultry account for over half of U.S. agricultural cash receipts, often exceeding $100 billion per year.

Animals, Organic or not are a value added product Total US Production Livestock and poultry account for over half of U.S. agricultural cash receipts, often exceeding $100 billion per year. Estimated U.S. sales of organic and total fluid milk products, monthly and annual, Year January February March April May June July August Sept. October Novem ber Decem ber Sales (Mil lbs) Total Organic Milk Products Total Fluid Milk Products Adj.* ,572 4,120 4,386 4,337 4,347 3,859 4,068 4,350 4,326 4,496 4,390 4,394 Organic milk/Total milk (%) Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Animals, Organic or not are a value added product Total US Production Livestock and poultry account for over half of U.S. agricultural cash receipts, often exceeding $100 billion per year. Prices paid by first receiver for organic and conventional eggs YearJan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJuneJulyAug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec. Dollars per dozen/carton Organic price Conventional price Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Animal Origin: Livestock must originate from animals that were managed under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation or at hatching.

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Animal Origin: Livestock must originate from animals that were managed under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation or at hatching. Livestock Feed: Livestock rations must be limited to Feedstuffs that are produced according to organic standards.

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Animal Origin: Livestock must originate from animals that were managed under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation or at hatching. Livestock Feed: Livestock rations must be limited to Feedstuffs that are produced according to organic standards. Record Keeping: Organic livestock operations must maintain records to verify the organic status of animals, and their production, harvesting, and handling practices. Records are mandated to be maintained for 5 years

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Housing: Producer must create and maintain living conditions that accommodate natural behavior 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.

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Housing: Producer must create and maintain living conditions that accommodate natural behavior 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: This is a mixed issue. Animal waste producers must manage manure so that is does not contribute to the contamination of crops, soil, or water and optimizes recycling of nutrients. EPA and FDA are getting even more involved in this and it may affect how organic producers are allowed to use this nutrient, particularly on fresh vegetables.

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Animal Health: Organic livestock production practices require the producer to establish preventative health care practices to promote animal welfare. Producers are encouraged to treat animals with appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and other conventional medicines when needed, however treated animals cannot be sold or labeled as organic and often forces the animal to be removed from the herd or flock. This creates a conundrum for producers, especially with high-value animals. Do you immediately treat a sick animal, knowing you will lose them, or wait to see if they recover on their own? There is not always an easy answer and animal welfare is at stake.

Organic Animal Production Issues in Organic Animal Production Processing and market: The market for organic livestock products must be prearranged, as does slaughter and/or processing. This processing often takes a dedicated line to assure identity preservation and compliance with organic standards. Accessibility to certified processers is a nationwide issue.