Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Squash bug control -- organic livestock

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "sals3" <sals3 AT cox.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Squash bug control -- organic livestock
  • Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:41:23 -0700

who told you you can't range feed birds on your land and be organic that's not a rule.  and you can use the animals just don't sell them as organic sell them to the folks that like antibiotics in the meat. 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 2:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Squash bug control -- organic livestock


On Oct 31, 2009, at 1:38 PM, Wiener, Benjamin L CPT NG NG FORSCOM wrote:

One of the reasons I will never be certified organic is the sheer stupidity of some of the rules. If guinea fowl cannot be used because of the tiny ammount of droppings they would leave, then what do organic growers do to exclude wild birds that already deposit droppings in the field? There is a huge difference in quantity between applying manure for fertility and using a natural method of bug control. You can't even use manure from animals that recieve adequate veterinary care. What a bunch of BS (pun intended).

I agree that some of the rules don't make lots of sense (especially some of the ones imposed by the federal rule). But you not only can "use manure from animals that receive adequate veterinary care", organic livestock raisers are *required* to provide adequate veterinary care. (Reference: USDA organic standards section 205.238.)

On the rare occasions when permitted methods (and there are quite a few of them, including a number ordinarily administered by veterinarians) are insufficient, the producer is required to treat the sick animal even if it will therefore lose its organic status; but most livestock never need such treatment, as they can be kept in good health without it.

I also don't think that manure has to be from animals meeting certification standards, though I think some certifiers want manure from some sources to be checked for toxins; but I haven't had to check this recently as I don't use raw manures.

-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale


_______________________________________________
Market-farming mailing list
Market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/market-farming




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page