eOrganic author:
Jim Riddle, University of Minnesota
Section 205.237 of the National Organic Program (NOP) final rule (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2000) requires 100% organic feed for all organic livestock. Feed is defined as "edible materials, which are consumed by livestock for their nutritional value. Feed may be concentrates (grains) or roughages (hay, silage, fodder). The term feed encompasses all agricultural commodities, including pasture ingested by livestock for nutritional purposes," (USDA, 2000). In other words, all agricultural components of the ration must be certified organic. Fields—including pastures—used to grow feed for organic livestock, must be certified. Records must be kept of all farm-raised and purchased feed and feed additives. Crop producers who grow livestock feed for sale to organic livestock producers must be certified, and cannot sell their feed as organic under the $5000 small farmer exemption. Check with your certifier if you have any questions about the status of the organic feed you grow or purchase, or about the status of the pastures or range areas that you use or plan to use for organic livestock.
Nonsynthetic (natural) substances, such as oyster shells or calcium carbonate, and synthetic substances that appear on the National List, may be used as feed additives and supplements. The only synthetic feed additives on the National List are: DL-methionine for poultry, which may be used until October 2010; and FDA-approved trace minerals and vitamins. No synthetic colorings, flavorings, dust suppressants, or flowing agents are currently allowed, because none are present on the National List.
Livestock feed used for organic production must not contain:
- Animal drugs, including hormones, to promote growth;
- Feed supplements or additives in amounts above those needed for adequate nutrition and health maintenance;
- Plastic feed pellets;
- Urea or manure;
- Mammalian or poultry slaughter by-products fed to mammals or poultry; or
- Feed, additives, supplements in violation of the Food and Drug Administration.
References and Citations
- United States Department of Agriculture. 2000. National organic program: Final rule. Codified at 7 C.F.R., part 205. (Available online at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5a8dc602e6a7f29825c884f2a0f3c653&rgn=div5&view=text&node=7:3.1.1.9.31&idno=7) (verified 18 March 2010).
This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.
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