Market Farming

["RDH" <rdhopkins AT americanpasturage.com>]

Rick W.

Ruminants should not be fed, they are designed to forage.  Forage doesn't
necessarily mean grass as our cows have quite an assortment of grasses,
legumes, and forbs.  My argument is that the rules state that the producer
is responsible for providing adequate untraditional to the livestock, but
doesn't define adequate.  Many animal scientists feel we do not provide
adequate nutrition because we don't have an arsenal of supplements.  We also
don't require an arsenal of pharmaceuticals either.

Yes, our protocol is more rigid than the organic rules.  We do not feel
mandatory vaccination should be a requirement.  Prudent use of vaccines may
be necessary under certain circumstances, but mandatory use of
pharmaceuticals goes against the aspect of sustainability.

While I'm at it, I do not see that "better than organic" violates the rules,
but if someone can convince me of that I will change our wording to say
better than all of the other types of beef.

Rick H.

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Williams [mailto:mrfarm AT frontiernet.net]
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2002 4:56 PM
To: Market Farming
Subject: [market-farming] RE: Organic cost pre and post NOP


RDH wrote:
> I agree with Del's later post on focusing on the common ground instead of
> continually fighting over our differences, but I will not idly
> sit by and be
> accused of not battling for what I believed in.  The two main
> points of the
> NOP rules that keep me from seeking certification is the use of grain in
> ruminants, required list of pharmaceuticals in the form of vaccination
> protocol, confinement definitions, and use of parasite medications.

Rick, could you go into a little more detail on what you object to? I read
your site information but am not sure about your difference on feeding
grain, etc. If anything, you may even exceed the basic rules.

Sincerely,

Rick Williams
Misty Ridge Farm
Dairy heifers and dairy beef graziers
Viroqua, WI

www.mistyridgefarm.com


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