March 3, 2010 - For Organic Cows, Its Now Easier Being Green

The USDA recently announced new organic regulations that will give cows and other ruminant animals more access to grazing lands and a minimum grazing period.

Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced an amendment to current regulations that will ensure all organic dairy and meat animals are given access to pasture lands during the grazing season.

The rule ensures that animals must graze pasture during the grazing season, which is a minimum of 120 days a year. During this grazing period, a minimum of 30 percent of the animals' intake must come from the grazing land.  Other requirements include access to pasture at other life stages and proper pasture management to protect the animals, land and water.

The amendment is five years in the making. Three years after the National Organic Standards Board first suggested these grazing standards, a proposed rule was published in October 2008.  Farmers and other organic operations have until June 17 to implement these changes but a press release from the USDA stated that most organic dairy and livestock producers already follow these standards.

This amendment is a step towards clear organic standards that ensure organic meat and milk comes from cows raised on properly maintained pasture. This rule also ensures the protection of local water and land resources through proper pasture management, and that's something we can support.

Danielle Stowe is a contributing writer for the Green Guide Network. She can be reached at daniellestowe@gmail.com