Category - Organic Livestock Certification Hub

How to Calculate Dry Matter Intake (DMI) from Pasture for Organic Dairy Operations Summary: Calculating Dry Matter Intake (DMI) from pasture is essential for organic dairy farms to meet USDA National Organic Program (NOP) requirements. Lactating dairy cows must get at least 30% of their DMI from pasture during the grazing season. This article explains … Continued

A collection of requirements for feed and nutrition, including background on supplements and prohibited inputs.

Preventative Care, Medications, and Antibiotics in Organic Livestock Production Summary: Organic livestock producers must use preventative health practices to keep animals healthy. Vaccines and veterinary biologics are allowed. Synthetic medications are only permitted after preventative care has failed and must be approved by Oregon Tilth. Antibiotics are strictly prohibited in organic production, but animals must … Continued

A summary of livestock processing activities, such as transportation of live animals, the role of brokers, auction yards and slaughter facilities.

What To Know About Outdoor Access, Pasture, and Grazing for Organic Livestock Summary: Organic livestock must have year-round outdoor access, and ruminants must graze pasture during the grazing season, obtaining at least 30% of their dry matter intake (DMI) from grazing over a minimum of 120 days per year. Temporary confinement is allowed only for … Continued

Common questions and a guide for major documentation requirements for livestock certification, including living conditions, audits, feed, animal health and materials.

Transitioning Livestock to Organic: What You Need To Know Summary: You can transition a conventional dairy herd to organic one time only, with 365 days of continuous organic management. Poultry must be raised organically from day two of life. Slaughter stock and previously organic animals cannot be re-transitioned if organic status is lost. Your feed, … Continued