Certified Grass-Fed Organic Dairy by OPT: Dairy
Certified Grass-Fed Organic Dairy by OPT is a top pick
The Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program, created by Organic Plus Trust, is designed as an add-on for the USDA organic dairy standards. Cows must be fed entirely on grass and hay, with no grain allowed in the diet. Animals must spend at least 150 days a year on high-quality, biodiverse pasture. Farms must also adopt one of several qualifying animal welfare certifications, including American Humane Certified and Certified Humane, or otherwise prove they meet similar standards.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint label criteria
Animal feed quality
Produced without industrial pesticides
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
All grass fed
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements
Prohibits GMOs
Drug use
Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals
Environmental and pasture quality
Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Grown without industrial pesticides
Biodiversity required in pasture
Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time
Requires emissions modeling / accounting
Animal welfare and living conditions
Prohibits feedlots
Prohibits long term confinement
Prohibits electric prods
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Pain relief for castration
Prohibits dehorning
Taildocking prohibited
Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed
Pasture required throughout grazing/growing season
Worker welfare
Standards and protections for workers on farm
Standards and protections for workers in processing plants
Fair/living wages ensured
Health care insurance ensured
Food Label glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.
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