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Diets
What can I feed to my organic cattle and sheep?
Most traditional feeding systems, based on forage and a moderate amount of concentrates, are suitable.
What is the minimum proportion of home produced feed in ruminant diets?
For ruminants a minimum of 60% of the feed, calculated over a calendar year, should be obtained from the unit, or linked units.
What is the maximum proportion of concentrates that can be fed in organic ruminant diets?
At least 60% of the dry matter (DM) in ruminant diets must be forage (i.e.
What is the maximum proportion of in-conversion feed in livestock diets?
Up to 30% of feed may comprise of in-conversion feed.
What do the standards say with regard to the source of non-organic compounded or blended feeds?
Commercial blended or compound feeds, even those which fall within the conventional part of the diet, must come from feed mills which are licensed by an organic certification body.
What do the standards specify about these ingredients?
Within the constraints outlined in questions 'What is the minimum proportion of home produced feed in ruminant diets?' and 'What do the standards say with regard to the source of non-organic compounded or blended feeds?'
What do the standards specify about artificial mineral and vitamin supplementation?
The major minerals (sodium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and sulphur) are permitted.