Understand the requirements and standards for raising organic livestock and poultry, including feed, living conditions, and medicating practices.
Organic Certification: The process of becoming certified organic and the standards and regulations that must be followed.
Animal Welfare: The humane treatment of animals and the ethical considerations that come with raising and caring for animals in organic agriculture.
Farm Planning: Developing and implementing a comprehensive management plan for organic livestock and poultry operations.
Feed and Nutrition: Understanding the dietary needs of livestock and poultry and developing a nutrition plan that provides the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
Herd and Flock Health: Monitoring and managing the health of livestock and poultry to prevent disease and maintain healthy animals.
Breeding and Genetics: Selecting and breeding animals with desirable traits and genetics in order to improve overall herd and flock quality.
Housing and Infrastructure: Understanding the various types of housing and infrastructure necessary for organic livestock and poultry and developing a plan for proper construction and maintenance.
Grazing and Foraging: Providing access to pasture and range for livestock and poultry, and managing grazing lands for sustainable production.
Waste Management: Developing systems to manage animal waste and composting to maintain nutrient-rich soil.
Marketing and sales: Understanding the organic livestock and poultry market and developing a marketing plan to sell products to consumers.
Pastured Poultry: In Pastured poultry management, the birds are raised on pasture which is rotated frequently to provide fresh grass to the birds. The birds can graze and scratch freely in a large area which is considered healthier and more natural.
Free Range: In free-range management, the animals have access to the outdoors but they may also be confined in a building. They are allowed to move about and exhibit their natural behaviors as much as possible.
Grass-fed: In grass-fed management, the animals are fed exclusively on forage such as grass and hay, instead of grains. This helps maintain their natural diet and provides a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Cage-free: In cage-free management, the animals are not confined to cages but are allowed to move about and interact freely with their environment.
Certified Organic: In certified organic management, the animals are raised using only organic feed and without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. The animals are given access to the outdoors and their natural behaviors are encouraged.
Biodynamic: In biodynamic management, the animals are raised in accordance with holistic principles that aim to enhance the entire ecosystem. The animals are fed a balanced diet and are treated with homeopathic remedies to promote their health.
Slow-growth: In slow-growth management, animals are allowed to grow at a natural pace, which is considered healthier and more humane.
Heritage Breeds: Heritage breed management focuses on raising rare and endangered breeds of livestock which are not commonly raised for commercial purposes. These breeds are often more hardy and better suited to the natural environment.
Integrated Livestock-Crop Production: This is a system where livestock and crops are integrated in a way that benefits both. For example, crops are grown to feed the animals, and the animal's waste is used to fertilize the crops.
Beyond Organic: Beyond organic management goes above and beyond the requirements for certified organic production by emphasizing the use of regenerative agricultural practices, such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and soil health management.