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Cited by 38Pasture and Agricultural SystemsSustainable Agricultural Systems AnalysisOrganic Food and Agriculture

Sustainability of US organic beef and dairy production systems: Soil, plant and cattle interactions

Open access
Hafla, Aimee, MacAdam, Jennifer, Soder, Kathy·2013·Sustainability
DOI 10.3390/su5073009
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Abstract

In 2010, the National Organic Program implemented a rule for the US stating that pasture must be a significant source of feed in organic ruminant systems. This article will focus on how the pasture rule has impacted the management, economics and nutritional value of products derived from organic ruminant systems and the interactions of grazing cattle with pasture forages and soils. The use of synthetic fertilizers is prohibited in organic systems; therefore, producers must rely on animal manures, compost and cover crops to increase and maintain soil nitrogen content. Rotational and strip grazing are two of the most common grazing management practices utilized in grazing ruminant production systems; however, these practices are not exclusive to organic livestock producers. For dairy cattle, grazing reduces foot and leg problems common in confinement systems, but lowers milk production and exposes cows to parasites that can be difficult to treat without pharmaceuticals. Organic beef cattle may still be finished in feedlots for no more than 120 days in the US, but without growth hormones and antibiotics, gains may be reduced and illnesses increased. Grazing reduces the use of environmentally and economically costly concentrate feeds and recycles nutrients back to the soil efficiently, but lowers the rate of beef liveweight gain. Increased use of pasture can be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable if forage use efficiency is high and US consumers continue to pay a premium for organic beef and dairy products.

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Crossref · 10.3390/su5073009

Cites

117 of 117 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Less than 2% of U.S. dairy production is currently organic.

    “Organic milk led livestock commodities, accounting for $765 million, or 58%, of organic animal product sales; however, less than 2% of U.S. dairy production is currently organic (Hafla et al., 2013).”

    From Prevalence and impacts of genetically engineered feedstuffs on livestock populations1 (2014) · cites this paper as Hafla et al., 2013

  • The costs of certified organic feedstuffs are 2 to 3 times greater than non-organically grown feeds.

    “The costs of certified organic feedstuffs are 2 to 3 times greater than non-organicallygrown feeds (Hafla et al., 2013).”

    From Prevalence and impacts of genetically engineered feedstuffs on livestock populations1 (2014) · cites this paper as Hafla et al., 2013

  • In a survey of certified organic beef producers in the United States, 83% reported that cattle were raised exclusively or predominantly on grass and hay until slaughter, while the remaining 17% reported using a grain finishing system.

    “In a survey of certified organic beef producers in the United States, 83% reported that cattle were raised exclusively or predominantly on grass and hay until slaughter, while the remaining 17% reported using a grain finishing system (Hafla et al., 2013).”

    From Prevalence and impacts of genetically engineered feedstuffs on livestock populations1 (2014) · cites this paper as Hafla et al., 2013

  • U.S. organic dairy systems depend on the willingness of consumers to pay a premium.

    “The U.S. organic dairy systems depend on the willingness of consumers to pay a premium (Hafla et al., 2013).”

    From Prevalence and impacts of genetically engineered feedstuffs on livestock populations1 (2014) · cites this paper as Hafla et al., 2013

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Whitacre, D.M., Ed.; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2008; pp. 1-30.
  2. Rogers, S.; Haines, J. Detecting and Mitigating the Environmental Impact of Fecal Pathogens Originating from Confined Animal Feeding Operations: Review; EPA/600/R-06/021: 2005;
  3. National Academy of Sciences. In Watershed Management for Potable Water Supply: Assessing the New York City Strategy; National Academy Press: Washington, DC, USA, 2000.
  4. Brady, N. The Nature and Property of Soils, 10th ed.; Pearson: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, 1990.
  5. Beal, S. Free Choice Smorgasbord Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation for Livestock. NODPA News, 2010, 10, 8-9, 30-31.
  6. Kunkel, J.R.; Murphy, W.M.; Rogers, D.; Dugdale, D.T. Seasonal control of gastrointestinal parasites among dairy heifers. Bovine Pr. 1983, 18, 54-57.
  7. Powell, J., Ed.; University of Wales: Aberystwyth, UK, 2002; pp. 55-60.

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Authors
Hafla, A., MacAdam, J., & Soder, K.
Affiliations
  • Agricultural Research Service (US)
  • Utah State University (US)
Corresponding author
MacAdam, Jennifer
ORCID
Venue
Sustainability
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2013-07-11
Volume
5
Issue
7
Pages
3009-3034
ISSN
2071-1050 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/su5073009
OpenAlex
W2072396422
Cited by
38
References
117
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3
FWCI
11.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Sustainability (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Forestry › Pasture and Agricultural Systems
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Organic Food and Agriculture
Keywords
organic livestock farming, organic beef, organic dairy, grazing cattle, soil nitrogen, cover crops, rotational grazing, strip grazing, feedlot finishing

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