Making The Leap To Organic Dairy Production (Continued from Page 16) states with a growing population of organic farms have similar learning opportunities available. Animal Husbandry and Management Organic dairy production requires a number of animal husbandry and management practices that may require extensive change for conventional dairy farms. The cost, challenge, and time required for transition in animal husbandry will vary de pending upon the current type of management; an intensive grazing farm will have fewer changes to make than a total confinement operation. Animal health can be another challenging transi tion depending upon the farm. No antibiotics, hor mones, or most other conventional pharmaceuticals can be used except in case of emergency, which will then require the removal of the treated animal from the herd. Standards now require one year of organic health care before a herd can be certified plus sev eral other practices in place; Grazing and outdoor access is required for all an imals over six months of age. Calves must be fed or ganic milk; conventional milk replacer is allowed only in an emergency and then must be bST-free. Tails cannot be docked. Organic feed must be fed. During the transition . CO««’ P 01 *""" by cow, Co _ The Comfort Zone™ The Comfort Zone Tie Stall Designed to maximize cow comfort Available in stainless steel and galvanized steel Perfect for new or remodeled facilities ca \\ 610-59 year, 80 percent organic and 20 percent conventi onal feeds can be fed for the first nine months of transition, and then the ration must be 100 percent organic for the last three months and thereafter. Feed supplements and additives must pass organic standard muster. PastureMat* The multi-celled cow mattress recognized world-wide as the closest thing to natural pasture! Proven Durability and Comfort! Gatorsheild corrosion protection Reduces Leg Injuries! Increases Profitability! US Patent #5653185 The number one tenet of organic herd health management is to provide an environment that sup ports, fosters, and engenders healthy animals that rarely need treatment. In my mind, the cornerstone to providing this positive environment is plenty of high quality pas ture. Pasture provides many, many positive health benefits - the exercise it provides gives cows good body condition in terms of physical strength and en durance; the green grass, legumes, and other pas ture plants provide high levels of Vitamin E which is essential for healthy immune systems plus sup plying many other high quality nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Rotationally grazed pastures provide exposure to lots of sunshine and fresh air, which is not only healthy for animals but helps sanitize the environment that the cows are in; the walking in volved in the use of pastures provides for natural hooftrimming. Most years, we are able to provide (Turn to Page 18) Y2K Free Stall Eliminates barriers that prohibit natural movements Increases forward lunge space tin Ur are a /
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers