April 15th, 2010 by Annie
Farmers/Ranchers Square-off in Debate About 100% Pasture Versus Feedlots
CORNUCOPIA, WI: The new USDA organic pasture rule strengthening the requirement for grazing and pasturing livestock may not apply to beef cattle and other ruminants in meat production. In fact, the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) is seeking comments from farmers and consumers on a proposal to allow some level of confinement in feedlots for, as an example, organic beef cattle during the last four months of their lives during the “finishing” period prior to slaughter (when industry standards would feed them mostly grain/corn).
The Cornucopia Institute, a farm policy research group based in Wisconsin, surveyed a broad spectrum of organic meat producers to better understand their production practices. The results reveal a wide range of practices.
Cornucopia found that the vast majority of organic beef producers graze their beef cattle on pasture until slaughter, never confining them to a feedlot. Approximately 60% of organic beef producers never feed any grain to their cattle (100% grass-fed). And another 20% maintain their cattle on pasture but provide small amounts of grain. The new rule’s proposed exemption for ruminant slaughter stock from obtaining feed from pasture is therefore not needed by the vast majority of farmers and ranchers producing organic beef. Read the whole story here
Tags: Action Alert, organic, Pastured Beef
Action Alert, Pastured Beef, Slow Food, Sustainable Food | No Comments »
April 24th, 2009 by Annie
The uproar about H.R. 875 has not been as loud as in the past but there are other “food safety” bills that are a concern. This is addressed in an excellent article from the Farm Aid website. Check it out. There has been some movement on H.R. 875. It was referred to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.I will see what I can find out about that committee and who is on it. Stay tuned.
Tags: Food Safety Modernization Act, HR 875
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March 25th, 2009 by Annie
Before you lose any more sleep over the fear of having federal agents raid your backyard tomato patch or shut down your local farmers market, you should read this blog posting from Civil Eats.
I must thank Chris Jagger from Blue Fox Farm for posting this on Facebook this morning. It’s worth the time for a thorough read. Forward it to all your friends. Check out the Food and Water Watch website.
Sleep well tonight. And, if you need to talk to someone about this, make your comments below.
Tags: Civil Eats, end of organics, HR 875
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March 20th, 2009 by Annie
There was an article on yesterday’s Capital Press website with Pacific NW reaction. Check it out. No new information but more perspective than just mine.
Tags: end of organics, Food Safety Modernization Act, HR 875
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March 20th, 2009 by Annie
We have been receiving numerous calls and emails regarding H.R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act. Many are in response to some emails and blog discussions that characterize this bill as bringing about the end to organic agriculture, farmers markets, and access to seeds.
Ashland Food Co-op, and food co-ops all over the country are aware of this bill. I have had lengthy conversations with both Peter DeFazio’s office and Kurt Schrader’s office. Peter is one of the 39 co-sponsors of HR 875 and Kurt sits on the Ag Committee that will review it to either let it die a quiet death or send it on to the next step. (more…)
Tags: end of organics, Food Safety Modernization Act, HR 875
Action Alert | 115 Comments »
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