CROPP COOPERATIVE Pasture Policy

Pasture Requirement

Organics is about integrity and commitment to sustainable farming. CROPP producers sign the CROPP membership agreement and are bound to abide by any additional standards approved by the CROPP Board. The CROPP Board and the Dairy Executive Committee have decided adequate pasture is a critical organic principle within organic livestock production. The following policy is a requirement for all CROPP dairy pool members. A Farm Pasture Plan must be on file for each member, demonstrating compliance with the Pasture Standards. Any members that do not satisfy the pasture standard will be enrolled in a Work Improvement Plan in order to come into compliance within one year.

Definition of Pasture

A pasture consists of a mixture of nutritious grasses, legumes and variable plant species, attached to their respective root systems. Pasture must be managed to prevent degradation of soil and water quality.

CROPP Pasture Standards

• 1. A lactating cow must be provided 120 days on pasture per each growing season.
• 2. A minimum average of 30% dry matter intake of the total lactating cow's diet must come from grazed pasture during that region's grazing season.
• 3. The stocking rate for pasture is a maximum of three (3) lactating cows per acre of pasture. (If you can demonstrate a higher stocking rate is sustainable on your farm, that will be acceptable.)
• 4. Dry cows must have a least 30 days access to pasture if that coincides with the grazing period for that region.
• 5. Young animals must have some introduction to pasture after six months of age. After one year of age, they must have access to pasture, coinciding with that region's grazing period.

Farm Pasture Plan Requirements

• 1. Ruminant livestock must have access to graze pasture during the months of the year when pasture provides edible forage, and the grazed feed must provide a significant portion of the feed requirements during those months but no less than a minimum average of 30% dry matter. The Farm Pasture Plan must illustrate how the producer will optimize the pasture component of the total feed used in the farm system. The Farm Pasture Plan must quantify how the CROPP Pasture Standards will be met.
• 2. The producer of ruminant livestock may be allowed temporary exemption to pasture because of:
  a. Conditions under which the health, safety, or well-being of the animal could be jeopardized.
  b. Inclement weather
  c. Temporary conditions which pose a risk to soil and water quality.
  
• 3. The producer of ruminant livestock may be allowed exemption to pasture during the following stages of production:
  a. Dairy stock under the age of 6 months
  b. Birthing

Resources:

NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service): offers guidelines specific to a producer's home locale. Cost-sharing may be available.

CROPP Pasture Mentor Program:

Producers will be available to serve as mentors to help those producers in need to guidance and expertise to expand their pasturing operations.