Organic Production

Sheep & Goat Toolbox

The National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic production as: "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." (NOP 205.2 definition of Organic Production).

What is organic?

• The word “organic” is legally defined by the National Standard as published in the Code of Federal Regulations.

• It is illegal to market any agricultural product as organic or to advertise a farm as organic unless the producer is in full compliance with these regulations.

“Organic”

• Enacted under the 1990 Farm Bill• Authorized creation of the USDA

National Organic Program (NOP)– National standards for production,

handling and processing• Oversees mandatory certification of

organic production• Producers meeting standards can label

products “USDA Certified Organic”

The Organic Foods Production Act

• Must meet USDA Organic Requirements to be labeled organic

• Certification requires 3-year transition period

• Annual inspection• Must keep long-term

records• Intensive animal, pasture,

and facility management is a must!

http://www.perenzin.com/en/prodotti/caprini/index.html

Considerations

The Following Must be Certified Organic:– Land

• Pastures

– Animals• Breeding Stock

• Nutrition

• Health

• Living Conditions

– Production Facility– Processing Plant

Organic Certification

• May be purchased from a non-organic operation– Cannot be sold, labeled

or represented as organic slaughter stock

– If pregnant, cannot be later than last third of gestation

• Producer must maintain detailed records

Organic breeding stock

• Must have access to outdoors year round; must graze at least 120 days a year, and receive a minimum of 30% of dry matter intake from pasture

• ALL FEED (including pastures) must be organically produced

• No drugs or hormones• No supplements “in amounts

above those needed for adequate nutrition”

Organic feed

• Select for resistance• Meet nutritional requirements• Provide appropriate housing,

pasture and sanitation.• Allow for exercise, reduce

stress• Physical Alterations

– Must promote animal’s welfare– Must minimize pain and stress

Organic healthcare

• Access to outdoors, shelter, shade, exercise areas, fresh air and direct sunlight

• Access to pasture• Appropriate clean, dry,

organic bedding• Temporary shelter

available for– Inclement weather

– Threatening conditions

– Lambing/Kidding

Picture from: www.sheep101.info

Organic living conditions

• Certain synthetic substances allowed• National Organic Program’s Final Rule lists all

regulations– To view NOP regulations, go to:

www.ams.usda.gov – Click (on right) “Learn how to get my product certified as

Organic”

– Click “NOP Policies, Procedures, and Reference Documents”

– Click “NOP Regulations”

– Click ”Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) website”

§205.603: Allowed Synthetic Substances

• Distinct boundaries• Wood fencing cannot be treated• Map of your organic system • Certification is tied to the land as well as to

your management and record-keeping as a producer.

• May sell or rent certified land.• New property needs organic documentation

of 3 years.– If no documentation then land must transition

(takes 36 months)

Land requirements

Picture from: www.farmsunday.org

Crop Production Standards Apply to Pasture

These include:– Crop production standards    

– Organic Systems Plan

– Land requirements: transition and buffers

– Soil fertility and crop nutrient management

– Crop rotation

– Pest, weed, and disease management

– Seeds and planting stock

– National List of allowed & prohibited materials

– Recordkeeping

Organic pastures

• Improve the soil organic matter• Understand the causes, life cycle, and

feed value of the weed• Increase species diversity in the

pasture• Graze during the time of a weed's

maximum palatability• Practice high-intensity grazing and

high frequency of grazing

Cont…

Keeping organic pastures healthy

• Graze several complementary livestock species

• Introduce biological weed control agents• Mow, hand weed, and dig to remove

weeds mechanically• Use flame weeding or other

forms of heat destruction• Rotate into annual crops

Keeping organic pastures healthy

• In many areas, products sell for a higher premium

• Animals are raised naturally

• More environmentally friendly

Benefits of “going organic”

Must weigh the additional cost versus the economic return in your area

-- Do your research!-- Sit down and crunch numbers-- Assess demand for organics in your region-- Remember your time is an additional cost-- Every farm is different.

Weighing cost vs. benefit

• Depends on…– Farm– Market– Goals – Animals

What is best?

“Grass Fed” “All-Natural”

• NCAT’s Organic Livestock Workbook– https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=154

• Pasture for Organic Ruminant Livestock: Understanding and Implementing the National Organic Program (NOP) Pasture Rule– https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=360

• ATTRA’s Organic Livestock Documentation Forms– https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=171

• ATTRA’s Organic Standards for Livestock Production: Excerpts of the USDA's National Organic Program Regulations – https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=159

Resources

– www.ATTRA.org • Click “Organic Farming” on the left

– “Organic” section of ATTRA’s Small Ruminant Resource Manual• Will contain several resources from within ATTRA as well

as outside resources

– USDA - AMS -“Exploring the Organic Option”• http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?

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Additional Resources

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.