Is pasture finishing required for organic meat?
There is a good emerging market for grass-finished, organic meat. However, grass finishing is not required by organic regulations. All ruminants must have access to pasture, but temporary confinement is allowed for stage of production. It is not uncommon to confine the animals for a finishing period, with the finishing stage considered a stage of production. Q: Can I vaccinate? A: Yes, in fact, vaccines are listed as a preventative livestock health care practice. Both killed and live vaccines are allowed. Q: Are there any parasiticides on the allowed list? A: Ivermectin is currently the only one listed, with an annotation for emergency treatment of breeding stock or dairy animals. It cannot be used on slaughter animals if they are to be sold as organic, even in an emergency situation. Q: Can I use Ivomec after I wean, but before the last 1/3 of gestation? A: The rule prohibits the use of routine use of parasiticide and defines that as the regular, planned, or periodic use of parasitici
