how do i change my feed to organic?

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i would like to change my livestock feeding over to organic. currently i am using blue seal coarse 16 for my sheep, goats and cows. layer pellet for the chickens and grower cal pellet for the turkeys and geese. where do i start? am also considering being certified organic for the meat produced here, does anyone know where i can get info on all of this? thankyou, laura cavallari

-- laura cavallari (ladygoat13@aol.com), March 29, 2001

Answers

Start by talking to the people in your area who certify farms as organic. You may first find that you have to start with all new animals. Or at least a certain number of months that your current animals will have to be on organic feed to be considered. They should also be able to tell you where to buy organic feed in your area.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), March 29, 2001.

I was just reading the Pastured Poultry thread, a few up from this one. Check out that guys web site:

http://www.rehobothranch.com

He has organic beef and lambs. But you also must consider what you have sprayed on your fields, where you buy hay and what was sprayed on it, medications, fly treatments, really everything that touches those animals in any way is considered.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), March 29, 2001.


It can go even further. In our neightbooring state of Maine the ruling board is the Maine Organic Gardener and Farmer Org.(MOFGA). If you wish to be certified organic for poultry, they will tell you want type of bedding(wood shaving), how deep, and how often it must be changed.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), March 29, 2001.

Hi,

What state are you in? We can get organic feed from a feed mill in Kenbridge VA or Benson, NC. Ask around or your st ag people. Thats how we began, we called them, they referred us to their certifying person and she helped us get started. We aere in the process of getting certification here now. it takes a whilelas you ahve to do a lot of paperwork and state what you know was put into the ground in the last 3 yrs. In some sts its 20. Then you develop a plan as to how you will be doing organics. There was no mention to us ehre in VA as to having to get chickens that were raised organic vs our home raised and other livestock. i asked the question and was told no for here. Hope this helps. I also need to look up my copy of the st regs here in VA for going organic. There is the website for the federal govt and their standards. I forgot addy, but just type in USDA and it should come up. Oh, if you want a copy of the va regs just e-mail me and let me know. Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 29, 2001.


Bernice, Would you mind sharing your source of organic feed in Benson, N.C. I live between Greensboro and Winston-Salem. I have long been looking for a source of organic feed for my backyard layers. At present, I'm feeding 7 hens and 1 rooster. Benson would be a 2 hour drive but I'd consider it for organic feed. Thanks!

-- Melanie Carroll (frank.a.carroll@worldnet.att.net), March 30, 2001.


sure Melanie, its http://www.mulecity.com/ they have a toll free # too. Paul is the manager, really nice man, talk to him and he can help you. We used to get our feed there but its a 3 hr drive for us 1 way so we fed blue seal for a little bit until we found mill here. Hope this helps. Also, Wythe quarles has natural goat products too, his addy is http://www.springbriar.com has the best goat minerals too, we stopped using them and our girls got problems so we started again.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001.


Bernice - Just want to say MANY, MANY THANKS for the info. It is much appreciated!!!

-- Melanie Carroll (frank.a.carroll@worldnet.att.net), March 31, 2001.

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