How to Raise USDA Certified Organic Meat

The United States Department of Agriculture has labeled qualifying beef as organic since 1999. The organic market is a niche created to take advantage in consumers' interest in eating food that is chemical free, either for health reasons or to reduce their impact on the environment. Ranchers have the opportunity to make a greater profit with organic beef than traditionally raised cattle, however raising cattle that qualifies for organic certification requires more labor and closer management than traditionally raised beef cattle.

Things You'll Need

  • Pasture
  • Organic feed
  • Diatomaceous earth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Develop pastures for cattle to graze. To be certified organic, cattle must have access to pasture. The pasture cannot be fertilized with processed sewage sludge or chemical fertilizers. The pasture also cannot be treated with chemical fungicides or herbicides. You must have these restrictions in place for three years before the land is considered organic.

    • 2

      Purchase quality organic feed. Quality hay and pasture are the basis of a healthy diet, but it is likely that your cattle will require supplemental feeding at some point. Grain products must be certified 100 percent organic. Vitamin and mineral supplements are permitted.

    • 3

      Purchase mother cows early to midway through gestation. To have calves raised for slaughter certified as organic, the mother must be managed under organic measures for the last third of her pregnancy.

    • 4

      Use pasture rotation and diatomaceous earth to treat parasites. Vaccination are permitted as well.

    • 5

      Keep a written record for each calf, detailing any feed, supplement and treatment received.

    • 6

      Separate any calf that becomes ill. Sick cattle often require treatment with antibiotics. These animals cannot be sold as organic. Separating at the first sign of illness helps prevent the spread of disease.

    • 7

      Send cattle for processing at a USDA certified organic processing plant. The final step in raising organic cattle is sending them to the correct plant for processing. If you skip this step, the beef cannot have the certified organic label.