Organic Dairies Unite to Set Tougher Pasture Standards

[nosmokes]

originsl-american agriculturist

Organic Dairy Farmers Form FOOD
Compiled By Staff
March 15, 2007


Organic dairy farmers from Maine to California met recently in amid a blinding snowstorm at LaCrosse, Wis., to form a national network called the Federation of Organic Dairy Farmers. FOOD was formed by the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, the Midwest Organic Dairy Producers Association and the Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance. Combined, they represent more than 7850 organic dairies across the country.

Then, FOOD quickly got to their business agenda, reports Ed Maltby, executive director of NODPA. Here's a quick look at the issues they'll address:

Stronger pasture requirements

They unanimously support adding additional federal regulatory language to clarify that production of organic milk requires that organic dairy animals must consume at least 30% of their food needs (dry matter intake) from pasture for the entire growing season, for no less than 120 days.

"Most regions of this country where organic milk is produced have their cows out on pasture for far longer than 120 days," says Steve Pechacek, president of the Midwest group, from Mondovi, Wis. "A key principle is to maintain the land/animal connection that's central to organic production."

USDA's National Organic Program is currently in the process of more clearly defining the current standard that requires all ruminant animals, including dairy cows, to have access to pasture. The addition of feed and time requirements will result in a verifiable nationwide standard unlike any other organic standard in the world.
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complete article here

[davidwparker]

1. Stoneyfield! ... love those smoothies

[Dora]

2. "Get high on milk."

"Our cows eat grass."

[geardaddy]

3. Excellent!

I hope this puts an end to massive conventional corporate farms.

[cali]

4. Not a chance.

In Vermont the small dairy farmer is barely hanging on. Fortunately there's been some creative divesification over the past decade or so into artisan cheesemaking, but the dairy farmer who sold his milk, is an endangered species.

[geardaddy]

5. Yeah, I know.

My comment was just wishful thinking. Here in Minnesota and and in Wisconsin family dairy farms are also endangered species. So much for WI being America's Dairyland.