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But now, many meat and dairy producers must change the way they do business to earn the organic label. In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized a new set of rules, which took effect in June. Producers seeking organic certification must prove that their ruminant animals, like cows, spend at least 120 days per year, or the duration of the grass-growing season, grazing on pasture. Moreover, grass must account for at least 30 percent of their food. Producers that were already certified organic before the rules' release in February have an additional year to comply.
Why the change? The public perception of what organic means and the reality aren't necessarily the same. To most of us, the word "organic" conjures images of an idealized style of agriculture. The leaping cartoon cow on a half-gallon carton of organic milk evokes images of cattle grazing happily in green pastures, chewing on grass as nature intended.
What's in Beef? New Rules Change What Organic Means for Milk, Dairy, Beef, Meat
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- Public Discussion (15)
While I think this is for the best in the long run, I hope it doesn't hurt too many farmers in the short run.
- 3 votes
#1 - Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:49 AM EDTSounds like the ones being hurt will be the bigger dairies that bent the rules. Now I know why Organic Valley tastes sooo much better than Horizon.
- 1 vote
Now I know why Organic Valley tastes sooo much better than Horizon.
I have to agree. I remember the first time I tasted Organic Valley milk. I was immediately taken back to my childhood when in the summer, I could taste the clover and onion in the milk. Until I started drinking OV milk I hadn't tasted that slight difference in probably 30 years.
Now, there may be some areas in the country where Horizon milk tastes just as good, because not all of their milk comes from their large dairies. They too have many family farmer suppliers in some parts of the country.
- 1 vote
I have rarely drank milk in many years because it didn't taste good at all. Growing up, our milk was delivered and it was fresh from guernsey (sp?) cows and it was delicious. I went organic early this year and what a difference. I now drink milk again and my kids love it. They weren't big milk drinkers for a long time either.
- 2 votes
Interesting CG.
The propaganda, to an extent, that concerns me is in the pricing.
I picked up last night at our Hawaii grown beef co-op, all grass fed, natural, no growth hormones, 80/20 hamburger, 5# at $1.75 per pound, they have 90/10 for an additional .10 cents per pound. I also got a rump roast which I will cut into steaks for $2.75 per pound. Fillet Mignon cut are only $4.95 per pound. It is all delicious!!!
Whole Foods and the other grocery stores are taking advantage of the situation. They buy in massive quantities. My total for the above two items was 16 pounds!!!
- 2 votes
#2 - Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:59 PM EDTIn reality the biggest difference in price between conventional and organic does actually go to the farmers and not the middle men or retailer.
- 1 vote
I'm not certain the price differences you suggest CG are correct. I'm not saying they're wrong but...
There is a small retail outlet for the same beef I am buying through the co-op and the hamburger is twice the price and the same for the steaks! If I go to the chain grocery store they are priced even higher. Yes the farmer gets more but not as much as you might think, they also have higher costs.
As far as I can tell I am saving 50% from retail.
Right now the co-op is buying about 500 pounds a week. I just joined a month ago and told another person about it and they joined so membership is growing.
The co-op also sells the by-products that are suitable for pet food. It is costing less to feed the dogs fresh raw meat than it is to feed them dry food. That is healthier for the dogs.
- 2 votes
For our family, coops are definitely the way to go. Overall, they end up costing less and provide much more than privately or publicly owned stores.
- 2 votes
So the cows are grazing on pasturage. Big deal. There are herbicides and pesticides out now that are sprayed on pastures - that passes right through the cow to you.
To me, Organic means NO herbicides or Pesticides or hormones ANYWHERE in the production cycle. And a "safe" time gap between former usage and current crops/products. Period.
(And the chemical company doesn't get to define "safe.")
- 1 vote
#3 - Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:34 PM EDTThere are herbicides and pesticides out now that are sprayed on pastures
Nope, not allowed in organic meat production. Organic cattle must be on a 100% organic diet and that includes their pastures. You probably didn't know it's a 3 year process for a beef or dairy farm to be certified organic. That's 3 years of no chemicals on the fields with the last year the cows must be on 100% organic feed/pasture. The certification is performed by 3rd party organizations not the farms or their processors. So, you can be confident with regular certification reviews milk/beef with the USDA Organic Seal is what it says it is.
To me, Organic means NO herbicides or Pesticides or hormones ANYWHERE in the production cycle. And a "safe" time gap between former usage and current crops/products. Period.
Your definition matches the USDA's definition. This is a further clarification in the rules, so when consumers see the pretty picture of a cow grazing in a field, they can be assured that a good part of the milk they're drinking came from cows grazing on grass (in season).
- 4 votes
CG,
Some information from those on the farm, from the field:
My neighbor who was a founder of the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) has not renewed his membership!!! He quit!!!
HOFA is going out of business!
They have become so absurd and ridiculous with their rules. For my neighbor to remain certified organic it would cost him $2,500 in fees per year and numerous inspections!!! He is organic and no amount of inspections would prove otherwise. The regulation and enforcement have become absurd because commercial agriculture has the "ear" of congress, who writes the regulations, and who they BUY OFF with political contributions!!!
Those $2,500 in fees get passed on to the consumer, you, me, and everyone else!!! He is a small farmer 6 acres, so $2,500 is a lot of money!!!
- 3 votes
Holy cow only six acres, yeah, that's not a lot. I thought my Dad's farm was small, he had about 1500 mostly rented. Course that's Iowa, I think our yard out on the farm was three acres. Well as long as you keep buying from him, and others he may not be able to use the "organic" label, but you will know.
It's sad how perverted the industrial ag has made organic farming too out of reach, and then tried to sneak their almost organic produce into markets. Looks like Karma might bite them in the butt...
- 4 votes
DVS,
I am also a farmer so I don't buy anything from my neighbor. We don't use chemicals but the politics and the ridiculous fees the various certification organizations charge is a big problem.
The reason HOFA is closing is that people are quitting right and left, they can't afford the fraking fees!!!
- 2 votes
6 acres is pretty small. And, I'd agree the $2,500 is too much to be paying for certification. There is absolutely a challenge for smaller farmers who are following all the same practices, but not getting the same benefits from certification because the fees are flat rather than proportional to production.
- 4 votes
HOFA's fees were among the lowest in the country.The HDOA cost-share program reimburses 75% of fees paid for certification.
HOFA is not closing, but it has partnered with International Certification Services in order to keep fees as low as can be possible considering the fees charged by the USDA for audits of certification agencies.
HOFA will be expanding its outreach in the community with classes, organic source marketing, and services for its members.
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