SGF and Organic Certification

I had planned to write a post about electric fencing today but I didn't get outside before dark to take photos so I'll save that for another day. Today I want to write some more from the March issue of the Stockman Grass Farmer. Specifically, the letters to the editor on page 33-34. The answer to this question was something I wasn't aware of. Here is the question and answer:

Dear SGF:
Could you please tell me how the Omega 6/Omega 3 ratio and the CLA content of milk from cows fed organic hay and alfalfa along with a small amount of silage might compare to that of milk from pastured cows? My family has finally located a reliable source of clean raw milk, but while we are very impressed by the cleanliness of the dairy and the owner's clear love of his animals, the cows are never pastured.

Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely volatile and dissipate quickly once the living forage is cut and dried for hay. For a high omega-3 dairy product, the cows must direct-graze green, living forage. As a result, many consumers in the winter are buying frozen milk made in the green season instead of winter milk made from hay and silage.

Another argument for seasonal production on nature's schedule.

Also, SGF reports that they are working on improving their website and hope "to form communities of interest for sub-niche producers of such rarities as seasonal 100% grass dairies, no-grain pork production and Certified Organic grassfed beef and lamb." Sounds like a good resource.

This brings to mind something else I've been thinking about lately which is organic certification. We purchased this farm in June of 2005 so we would not be eligible for organic labeling until June of 2008 due to the three year transition rule. The question in my mind is whether we want to have anything to do with this considering the USDA monopoly on what constitutes "organic." We may never cross the $5000 sales threshhold requiring certification. Under this amount, farm produce can be labeled "organic" but not "certified organic." According to my reading of the law, however, if a farm labels its produce "organic" the USDA has the right to send a G-man to inspect the farm and all its records. Given this Orwellian aspect of the law, I think we'll pass and do what so many others have done - let our customers certify us. Or, as Joel Salatin says, go "beyond organic."

weather Wednesday: 26°F/42°F partly sunny
weather today: 24°F/45°F mostly cloudy

tags: omega-3, omega-6, CLA, raw milk, hay, pasture, graze, organic, USDA