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Organic Meat Goat Production
Unit ObjectiveAfter completion of this module of instruction the producer should be able to interpret the standards for a certified organic meat goat operation and to review different websites to gain production information and knowledge. The producer should be able to evaluate the feasibility and economics of his/her meat goat operation becoming organic certified. The producer should know the steps required to obtain organic certification. The producer should be able to complete all assignment sheets with 100% accuracy and score a minimum of 85% on the module test. Specific ObjectivesAfter completion of this instructional module the producer should be able to:
Module Contents
IntroductionInterest in organic meat production has increased in the recent past and demand for organically grown meat is growing. Many consumers feel that organically grown products are safer to consume and produce and are better for the environment than conventional production due to the severe restrictions on the use of chemical, microbial, and synthetic agents. In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) that mandated the USDA to develop standards for the organic production of food in the U.S. The National Organic Program (NOP) is housed in the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and administers OFPA and the rules and regulations of organic production.
Where to Find This Information on the WebThe USDA’s NOP website, http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/, contains all current NOP regulations, consumer information, lists of certifying agents and organic feed suppliers, as well as additional information. To find a local certifying agent, see the list of certifying agents at this site. The regulatory language of the Final Rule can also be found at this website. Another website where the regulatory information can be found is the Alternative Farming System Information Center, U.S. National Standards on Organic Animal Production and Handling, www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/ofp/7cfrtoc.htm. A website that has excellent information sources to assist producers in understanding and complying with the regulations is the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website: Organic Farming http://www.attra.org/organic.html. In particular, see NCAT’s Organic Livestock Workbook and Organic Livestock Documentation Forms under Organic Livestock. The department of agriculture in individual states may have organic production regulations and information posted on their website. As an example, the State of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry lists publications available to producers wishing to be certified as “organic” at http://www.oda.state.ok.us/food-formshome.htm. What Can and Cannot Be Done in “Organic” Goat ProductionThe main stipulations as to how to produce “organic” livestock are contained in the regulatory language of the Final Rule. As previously discussed, some states may use more stringent regulations than the federal regulations and producers should contact local officials to get the most current and applicable information. A brief description of the sections of the regulatory language most relevant to livestock production follows. The section number and title have been provided so that the reader can go back and read the original language of the regulations, if desired. This discussion is not meant to be an exhaustive interpretation of these rules and regulations; rather, it is to provide basic information to meat goat producers contemplating a switch to organic production. § 205.100 What has to be certified Anyone who wishes to sell goats or goat meat that will be represented as “100 percent organic,” or “organic.” § 205.101 Exemptions and exclusions from certification A producer that sells goats or goat meat as “organic” but whose annual gross income from such sales totals $5,000 or less is exempt from certification and submitting a certification plan. However, these producers must follow all organic production requirements and regulations. § 205.102 Use of the term, “organic” Goats to be sold as organic must be raised following all regulations of organic production. To sell goat meat as “100 percent organic” or “organic,” the animal must be raised in an organic manner and be processed through a meat processing facility certified as “organic.” § 205.100 Recordkeeping by certified operations Full, complete records must be kept on any animals, or products thereof, sold labeled or represented as “100 percent organic” or “organic.” These records must include all activities of the operation and be readily understood. Records must be available for inspection and kept for a minimum of 5 years. § 205.105 Allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients in organic production and handling There are few exceptions for synthetic or non-natural substances and feedstuff ingredients that can be used in organic livestock production. Most of these applying to livestock production are covered in subsequent sections of the regulations. § 205.201 Organic production and handling system plan Producers wishing to be certified as “organic” must develop and submit a production plan that meets all organic production requirements. This plan must be approved by the certifying agent. The plan should include descriptions of all production practices, feedstuffs used and their source, monitoring procedures to be employed, recordkeeping system to be used, and practices that prevent commingling of organic and non-organic livestock, feedstuffs and other items used on farm. 
Any land on which goats may be grazed or where feed for goats, e.g., hay, grain, etc., is harvested must be organic. This means that no prohibited substances such as pesticides and herbicides were applied to the land during the past three years. There should also be distinct boundaries or zones that prevent contact with prohibited substances that may be applied to adjacent lands and that could be contained in runoff or sprayer drift. § 205.204 Seeds and planting stock practice standard Any seeds planted on organic land must be organically produced if the variety and quantity is commercially available. As an example, if a producer wishes to grow and feed alfalfa to his organically produced goats, the alfalfa seed he plants should be organically produced if commercially available. The production practices in producing the alfalfa must also meet all other organic regulations. Only kids from does under continuous organic management no later than the last 1/3 of gestation can be classified as organic. Thus, if you purchase a pregnant doe to include in your organic operation, the kid born to that doe would qualify as organic if the doe is managed under organic conditions at your farm for a minimum of the last one-third of gestation. If a normal 150-day gestation period is assumed, then the doe would have to be raised in an organic manner from day 100 of gestation onwards. The doe may be purchased from a non-organic producer. A doe purchased from a non-organic producer may never be sold as “organic,” although her offspring can be “organic,” if the above conditions regarding gestation period and organic raising are met. For breeding stock to qualify as “organic,” those animals must have been born and raised under organic conditions. Records on the identity of all “organic” animals raised on farm must be kept. Only organically produced feedstuffs can be fed to animals that are to be sold as “organic.” If goats are grazed, then the land must be certified as “organic” as described in § 205.202 Land requirements. There are some substances allowed for use in organic production and those are described in a later section, § 205.603 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic livestock production. No animal drugs or growth hormones can be used in organic production. The use of urea, mammalian or poultry by-products, and all other substances outlawed by the Food and Drug Administration is prohibited. § 205.238 Livestock health care practice standard Producers must supply a nutritionally adequate ration to all goats. All animals should have appropriate housing to minimize disease spread. Goats should have freedom of movement and access to exercise. Management practices such as castration, dehorning, etc., must be done in a way that minimizes pain and stress. Vaccines are permissible for use. In general, drug treatments cannot be used and any animal receiving antibiotics cannot be labeled “organic.” Growth hormones are prohibited from use. Anthelmintics cannot be administered on a regular basis and no anthelmintics can be used on slaughter stock. Parasite treatment can be used on breeding stock if organic system plan-approved management does not control infestation. Treatment cannot occur during the last one-third of gestation if the resulting offspring is to be labeled “organic” nor can treatment occur during lactation. It is not permissible to withhold medical treatment from an animal in an attempt to preserve its “organic” state. § 205.239 Livestock living conditions  Living conditions must reflect the natural behavior of goats. Goats should have access to pasture. They should also have shelter that maintains appropriate temperature, air ventilation, and does not have any potential for injury. If any bedding is used that could be consumed by the animal, then that bedding must conform to organic feed requirements. Manure must be managed in a way that does not contaminate water, soil, or plants, by any organisms or substances that the manure may contain. Animals can be temporarily confined due to weather conditions, stage of production, and health and safety issues. § 205.400 General requirements for certification Persons wishing to be certified as “organic” meat goat producers must develop and follow an organic plan for their operation. This plan must be updated annually. Producers must also allow on-site inspections of all facilities and maintain records for a minimum of 5 years and make those records available for inspection. Producers must also immediately notify their certifying agent should any non-organic substance come in contact with their land or animals. § 205.401 Application for certification It is best to contact your state certifying agent or a private certification firm for current application rules for your state. A list of certification agents can be found at the National Organic Program website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/CertifyingAgents/CertAgenthome.html As an example of certification procedures, the State of Oklahoma lists the following requirements for producers wishing to become certified, taken from Oklahoma Organic Products Act Fact Sheet http://www.oda.state.ok.us/forms/food/ocifs.pdf. The basic requirements for initial certification are:
An initial on-site inspection must be performed by the certifying agent. Thereafter, inspections occur at least annually to determine if an application for re-certification should be granted. Interim inspections may occur to evaluate compliance with organic production guidelines. Contact local certifying agents for more detail. § 205.404 Continuation of certification Certification must be renewed on an annual basis. In addition to paying applicable fees, the producer is required to submit an updated organic production plan that includes any changes or deviations from the previous approved plan, report on actions taken on any noncompliance issues, and any other information deemed necessary. As mentioned in the previous certification sections, contact your local certifying agent for more specific requirements. § 205.603 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic livestock production This section lists synthetic substances that can be used in an organic livestock operation. Many of these are disinfectants or sanitizing agents; others include items such as electrolytes, glucose, iodine, and some other treatment items. Food and Drug Administration-approved trace minerals and vitamins can be fed, but an organic producer cannot provide feed supplements and additives in amounts above those needed by animals for adequate nutrition and health maintenance at the specific stage of production. Milk replacers without antibiotics are approved for emergency use only. Oxytocin can also be used post-partum in therapeutic applications. For a complete list, refer to this section in the regulatory language found at the websites listed at the beginning of this article. Of main interest to many producers would be the allowed use of paraciticides, or anthelmintics, in emergency situations. However, no use of anthelmintics is allowed in slaughter stock at any time. Non-organic, pregnant does can be treated and their kids could still be considered organic if the treatment occurred prior to the last one-third of gestation. If in doubt concerning a substance, contact your certifying agent. Considerations on Organic ProductionOrganic products are in demand by consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for the assurance that the product has been produced following organic principles. Producers wishing to produce and market meat goats or meat goat products as “organic” should consider both the potential profit and any added expense of organic production. Producers should be prepared to deal with animals that must receive antibiotic or other chemical treatment that renders them not “organic” and have facilities to maintain and raise those animals out of contact with the “organic” herd. If a producer wishes to market meat directly to consumers, via the internet for example, then an organic certified abattoir must be found. Finding and purchasing organic feed, or organic forage seed to plant, is another consideration. Formulating a thorough plan and taking an evaluative look at your operation and how it must be changed will assist in the decision making process. Suggested AssignmentsThe following assignments will assist in increasing your understanding of organic livestock production and how feasible it may be for your farm. Completion of these assignments is optional and is not needed to complete this module. Assignment 1 - Visit and Collect Information from the websites listed in the text. Visit one or more of the following websites and review information of interest to you. At each site, write down specific information that was helpful in increasing your understanding of organic livestock production.
Assignment 2 - Evaluate your Individual Meat Goat Operation to Determine the Feasibility and Economics of Converting to a Organic Certified Program Developing an organic certified meat goat program may not be for every meat goat producer. However such a program might prove to be economical and beneficial to some producers. The purpose of this assignment sheet is to encourage you to personally evaluate your individual meat goat program to explore the feasibility and economics of converting your production program to a certified program. To assist you with this evaluation complete each of the questions posted below.
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