introduction to organic meat goats and lambs

Introduction to Organic Meat Goats and LambsLinda Coffey, NCAT

Photo by Margo Hale

• Give each of you information about organic goat and lamb production and marketing

• Point to further resources

• Answer questions

My goal today:

• What do you want to learn today?• What do you already know about

“organics”?

Now, a word from the audience:

• Is it the same as “natural”?

• “Natural” has no official definition except “Minimally processed, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives.” (USDA)– No implants?– No chemicals?– Grass-fed?– Other?

What is “organic”?

• A production system that “respond[s] to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity”

• A production system that meets all the requirements of the National Organic Program Regulations as defined in 7 CFR Part 205

What does “organic” mean?

• Fed 100% organic feed• Not administered any synthetic medicines or

hormones• Not factory farmed• Had access to fresh pasture or range (and

grazed at least 120 days, getting 30% or more of nutrition from pasture during that time)

• Meat was not irradiated• Raised by producer who is certified or

registered with the state (registered if less than $5,000/yr)

What about organic goats and lambs?

• Organic agriculture is a soil-based system, placing emphasis on building the soil and encouraging health of soil, plants, animals, and people

• Organic products sell for a premium to people who want to support the organic philosophy or are concerned about their health

Why farm organically?

• Find a certifier • Learn the regulations• Write a plan for your farm that complies

with regulations• Follow that plan and keep records to

prove it (retain records 5 years)• Become certified ( 3-year transition

period)• Be inspected annually

How do you get started?

Land

Animals

Prohibitedmaterialslast applied

OrganicPasture/Cropland

36 months

Conception Birth

OrganicSlaughter

First 2/3gestation

Last 1/3gestation

Timeline for transitioning a ranch operation

• See ATTRA’s Guide to Organic Publications, especially “Organic Certification Process” publication

• Visit the National Organic Program (NOP) web site

• Read Langston University’s Organic Meat Goat Production module by Roger Merkel

Getting started

• Land—pasture & feed-producing cropland3 years w/o prohibited substances

• Animalsorganic management from last third of

gestation

• Production Facilitycontamination issues

• Processingprocessing facility must be certifiedrequires a separate application and plan

What needs to be certified?

https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=171

♦ inventory ♦ compost production ♦ breeding records ♦ sales ♦

♦ outdoor access calendar ♦ pasture access calendar ♦

Highly Recommended:Organic Livestock

Documentation Forms

For a Print Copy Call:1-800-346-9140

Highly Recommended:NCAT’s

Guide for Organic Livestock Producers

https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?

pub=154

For a Print Copy Call:1-800-346-9140

• Livestock origin• Feed (100% organic)• Health care• PROCESSING• Marketing

Areas of consideration

Livestock products that are to be sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be from livestock under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation… §205.236(a)

Breeder…stock that has not been under continuous organic management since the last third of gestation may not be sold, labeled, or represented as organic slaughter stock §205.236(b)(2)

Origin of slaughter livestock

• 100% Organic Feed Required• Feed Storage Must Ensure Organic

Integrity• Feed Processing Must Ensure Organic

Integrity

Livestock feed

• Animals must be on pasture grazing at least 120 days per year.

• Minimum of an average of 30 percent dry matter intake during grazing season.

• Year-round access to outdoors.

Access to pasture rule

Producers must:– have a pasture management plan: – manage pasture as a crop

• to meet the feed requirements for the grazing animals and

• to protect soil and water quality

• See ATTRA’s “Pasture for Organic Ruminant Livestock” publication for full details and helpful worksheets; go to www.attra.ncat.org

Access to pasture rule

Bedding must be organic

Pasture and range must be organic

• Livestock Species & Type Selection [§205.238(a)(1)]

• Adequate Nutrition [§205.238(a)(2)]

• Appropriate Housing, Pasture, & Sanitation [§205.238(a)(3)]

• Freedom of Movement; Stress Reduction [§205.238(a)(4)]

• Appropriate Low Stress Physical Alterations [§205.238(a)(5)]

• Vaccines & Veterinary Biologics [§205.238(a)(6)]

Health care for organic livestock: Prevention

Providing good nutrition and a low-stress environment

$ $ $

• Natural Therapies (herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies, essential oils, acupuncture, radionics)

• Synthetic Medications on the National List at §205.603 [§205.238(b)]

• Nonsynthetic Pest Controls (traps, botanicals, biologicals, minerals)

• Synthetic Parasiticides on the National List at §205.603(13) [§205.238(b)]

Health care for organic livestock: Therapies, etc.

• Ivermectin, currently on the National List §205.603(13), however: prohibited in organic slaughter stock allowed in breeder stock but prohibited

during last third of gestation Lactation (so, during the times of most need-- in lambs or

kids and during periparturient rise and early lactation--you can’t use it)

Synthetic parasiticides

• The producer of an organic livestock operation must not [w]ithhold treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve its organic status. All appropriate medications must be used to restore an animal to health when methods acceptable to organic production fail.

• Livestock treated with a prohibited substance must be clearly identified and shall not be sold, labeled, or represented as organically produced. –§205.238(c)(7)

•Verification of organic status for new animals

•Herd/flock health records•Vaccination & medication labels•Breeding records•Slaughter & processing records•Grazing and pasture records•Feeding records•Sales records

Livestock recordkeeping

• Learn about the certification process• Investigate the market; can you sell

organic goats or lambs for a premium?• FIND A PROCESSOR (certified organic);

this may be very difficult• Learn all you can about managing

grazing so that nutrition and health are optimal

• Find a source of organic feed (your farm or outside)

If you want to raise organic goats or lambs:

• Get your pastures certified (must be free from prohibited substances for 3 years)

• Keep excellent records of everything; you are required to plan and to show you follow the plan to farm organically, so--

• Learn what is allowed and what is not• Get all the help you can from ATTRA

materials (see list provided)

If you want to raise organic goats or lambs, continued:

• NCAT’s Guide for Organic Livestock Producers, https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=154

• For a print copy call: 1-800-346-9140

Highly recommended:

• Langston University’s web-based goat production course includes a module about organic meat goat production (also relevant for lamb producers):

• www.luresext.edu/goats/training/qa.html and “browse” and select chapter

• Don’t miss Assignment 2, page 9!

Highly recommended:

•ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

•www.attra.ncat.org•800-346-9140

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. NCAT champions small-scale, sustainable and local solutions to reduce poverty, protect communities and promote natural resources. Since 1976, NCAT has weatherized houses, trained farmers, monitored energy use and demonstrated renewable technology. NCAT works on local and national projects that foster a healthy quality of life for everyone.