Hallelujah! USDA has finally gotten their grass fed definition correct. Farmers can no longer (honestly) claim their grain finished cattle are grass fed. That really excites us! (Because we think its dishonest to claim your cattle are grass fed when youre feeding them grain.) Heres their official definition: Grass (Forage) Fed – Grass and forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. The diet shall be derived solely from forage consisting of grass (annual and perennial), forbs (e.g., legumes, Brassica), browse, or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state. Animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season. Hay, haylage, baleage, silage, crop residue without grain, and other roughage sources may also be included as acceptable feed sources. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. If incidental supplementation occurs due to inadvertent exposure to non-forage feedstuffs or to ensure the animal’s well being at all times during adverse environmental or physical conditions, the producer must fully document (e.g., receipts, ingredients, and tear tags) the supplementation that occurs including the amount, the frequency, and the supplements provided. They are also introducing a new USDA Certified Grass Fed Beef” program for eligible producers! Yes, we will be applying for that certification.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:03:30 +0000
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