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Updating your livestock feed rations is important to maintain compliance and ensure that your agricultural feed ingredients, non-agricultural (non-synthetic) ingredients, and approved synthetic ingredients are accounted for in your Organic System Plan (OSP).

When do I need to update my feed rations?

You only need to update your feed rations (a) when your ration change has a significant impact on grazing percentages, or (b) your ration change includes materials/products not reviewed by OTCO.

To request an update to your feed rations, fill out the forms below to update your OSP.

Adding a new species requires a review and update of your Organic System Plan (OSP) to accurately reflect your livestock operation’s activities.

Do I need to submit paperwork for purchases of currently certified livestock species?

Provided you’re not making significant changes to your production practices, there’s no need to contact OTCO or submit OSP updates. Please follow the recordkeeping practices for purchases of organic livestock.

Will I need to update any other parts of my OSP?

Review your OSP and update any parts that will change as a result of the species addition. We’ve added the most common forms that need updating below.

What if my species addition requires a crop or pasture update?

For livestock operations that grow crops or provide pasture for animals, you must review all current crop forms (usually C2 through C12) and update them to reflect any changes that will occur as a result of adding the new species.

Remember to make updates if making changes to crops, crop rotation, and/or adding new land for pasture.

If you do not currently grow crops or provide pasture, but will be adding them, please complete and submit all of the crop paperwork (C2 through C12).

How do I add avian species to my operation?

To request the addition of avian species to your livestock certification, fill out the forms below.

How do I add non-ruminant mammals to my operation?

To request the addition of non-ruminant mammals to your livestock certification, fill out the forms below.

How do I add ruminant mammals to my operation?

To request the addition of ruminant to your livestock certification, fill out the forms below.

In all cases, new land is required to be inspected before it can be added to your certification.

What information and forms are needed to add land to my certificate?

To add land to an existing certificate, the following is required:

• Completion of a C2 form (and possibly a land transfer form)
• Parcel identification
• Parcel geographic location (address, township, range)
• 36 month land history, including all inputs, seeds, and crops
• Complete maps of the location, including borders and buffer areas

Is there a difference to add adjacent versus separate field parcels?

If you are applying for multiple fields that have adjacent borders, they can be considered one contiguous “parcel” and should be included on one C2 form, unless the fields have different land histories. A separate C2 form is required for all non-contiguous parcels which do not border each other, and for any parcels that are not yet eligible for organic (i.e. transitional).

What makes a land history affirmation acceptable?

Signed land history affirmations must include the 36 months prior to your application to be eligible for organic production. If you have managed the land less than 36 months, previous land managers can sign and attest to land history. If all 36 months of history is not available, then land eligibility will begin from the last date of affirmation.

How do I add land that is leased or that I do not own?

To add land to your certification for property you do not own — but where you have a lease/ management agreement with the owner — indicate the lease arrangement on the C2 form and contact OTCO if you have any questions about leased land certification requirements.

Can I add new crops with a land addition request?

If you are adding new crops, other sections of your Organic System Plan (OSP) may need to be updated (e.g., crop rotation, materials, etc.). Crop production that is significantly different from your existing production will require an inspection.

Can I harvest from new land before inspection and certification approval?

For current OTCO-certified producers in good standing, crops from new land may be harvested but not sold or represented as organic prior to the inspection.

The following restrictions apply:

• Product must stay within approved locations per your OSP, be segregated, and you must keep appropriate storage and movement records
• Harvested product may not be fed to organic livestock until approved
• Land acreage must match the amount of harvested product and visually show recent harvest
• Recordkeeping must be complete and auditable to show organic eligibility

When is the best time to request a land addition?

To save money and time, the best option is to request land be added with your annual renewal. If the land is added during the regular renewal process, no additional fees are assessed except for inspector time and travel to get to the new site. Land added outside of the renewal process will require an additional inspection and added expenses. If needed, we offer an expedited service program for an additional fee.

How do I add a new facility?

If you want to add a new livestock facility (e.g., slaughter, dairy facility, etc.) to your organic certification, you will need to prepare and submit:

• A completed L7 Livestock Product Processing form
• An updated map with the location of the new facility
• A processing flow chart that outlines all activities at the new facility

Please note that if you are adding a new facility to your certification during the annual renewal process, you will need to submit your paperwork at least two (2) weeks prior to your scheduled inspection.