ABSTRACT
In the United States, organic agricultural systems differ from non-organic systems in many important ways, most notably in restrictions on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in all organic farming systems, and in restrictions on the use of antibiotics, feed additives and growth hormones in organic animal systems. The availability and cost of certified organic feeds is a major challenge for US organic dairy and beef producers. In 2011, NASS estimated that 83,989,000 acres of corn were harvested in the US, with only 134,877 of those certified organic. So little organic corn and soybean production occurs that limited supply results in prices of certified organic feedstuffs that are two to three times greater compared to nonorganically grown feeds [1]. The cost of organic supplements for energy and protein results in more on-farm production of these feeds in organic
systems compared to typical non-organic systems. However, some farms are too small or have land that is undesirable for the production of annual crops and therefore may have to rely on purchasing these feeds. Moreover, availability of local organic feeds can be limited, adding transportation expenses to the cost of the feed. In 2011, the state of Iowa was the greatest producer of certified organic corn, while California had the greatest inventory of certified organic dairy and beef cattle [2]. Locally available by-product feeds resulting from grain processing, production of human foods and beverages and other manufacturing enterprises can provide livestock producers with lower cost feed supplements that provide protein and energy to support the growth and lactation of ruminant livestock. Some common by-product feeds utilized in non-organic dairy and feedlot rations include oil meals, bran, middlings, brewers grains, distillers grains and beet pulp [3]. However, the availability of by-products produced to meet the National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic standards are limited and therefore organic producers are unlikely to have access to these feedstuffs to reduce feed costs. In the 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey conducted by the USDA-NASS, the quantity and value of commodity crops, fruits, vegetables and livestock produced were summarized; however, no organically produced by-products appeared in the report.
