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Organic livestock management

Organic livestock management focuses on the health and well being of animals, people and the environment:
  1. Living conditions: Organic livestock producers must establish living conditions which take into consideration the health and natural behavior of the animals. They must provide them with access to pasture and the outdoors, and with clean, dry bedding.
  2. Preventive health: Animal health care in organic systems focuses on prevention, not treatment: reduced stress, good nutrition, sanitation, and smart breed selection. When treatment is necessary, allowed practices and substances are clearly defined.
  3. Environment: Organic producers must manage manure in ways that don't contaminate water, soil or crops. All of their feed must be grown organically. Pastures must also be certified organic. Planting fodder crops (especially legumes) is of particular help in improving the fertility of the soil. Hedges can be useful not only as windbreaks and as protection against erosion but they can also act as constant source of forage for cattle.
  4. Human health: Organic producers are prohibited from using substances that might be harmful to humans, including growth hormones and antibiotics.