ABCs of Raising Animals for the Freezer: A Primer

Types of Beef and Pork

Some Definitions

• Conventional– Raised and marketed in the

manner the majority of the species is handled

• For beef that will be fed a high concentrate diet the last 100 to 200 days of their lives

• For swine that will be fed in confinement on a corn/soy diet until reach 230-250 lbs

Some Definitions

• Conventional• USDA Organic

– Any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced must adhere to the national organic standards.

– http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop

• Livestock Organic Standards– Animals for slaughter must be raised

under organic management from the last third of gestation

– Livestock feed must be 100% organic (exceptions vitamins and minerals)

– No hormones to promote growth, or antibiotics for any reason.

– Preventive management practices, including the use of vaccines, must be used to keep animals healthy. Producers must not withhold treatment from a sick or injured animal; however, animals treated with a prohibited medication may not be sold as organic.

– All organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants.

Some Definitions

• Conventional• USDA Organic• Natural

• USDA defines Natural as:– Product is minimally processed– Product cannot contain any artificial

ingredients– Product cannot contain any

preservatives. – USDA has no specific restriction on

management practices during the life of the animal.

• Most branded products: no growth implants, antibiotics or ionophores

• http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Meat_&_Poultry_Labeling_Terms/index.asp

Some Definitions

• Conventional• USDA Organic• Natural• Grass or

Forage Fed

• USDA defines Grass or Forage Fed as:– 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 , forbs , 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.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5063842

Some Definitions

• Conventional• USDA Organic• Natural• Grass or

Forage Fed• Pasture Raised

• Pasture Raised– No regulatory standard

for the term exists– Indicates a dairy, egg,

meat, or poultry product came from animals provided with continuous access to pasture and natural vegetation for a significant portion of their lives.