Introduction
This publication reviews nutrition and management practices that allow producers
to raise pigs under natural conditions or in a manner that allows for organic
certification. An extensive list of requirements for organic production of
pork has been established and is discussed below. However, we know of no similar
requirements for natural pork production. There is no legal or broadly accepted
definition of natural. Consequently, individual marketing groups have established
guidelines for the pork production that may be labeled natural. With no legal
description of natural, one has difficulty defining this type of pork production.
Natural pork production likely includes a ban on use of antibiotics and other
synthetic growth promoters, possibly a ban on use of animal by-products in
feeds, increased space allowances for animals, and use of other production
practices thought to enhance animal welfare. Often, natural pork production
has requirements quite similar to standards for organic production, but they
are not quite as comprehensive. Producers interested in natural production
of pork may wish to identify a group that markets natural pork and follow
its standards. This publication focuses on nutrition and management requirements
for organic pork production, but much of its content can be applied to production
systems for natural pork.
Unlike natural pork production, there are extensive standards for organic
production of pork. Several international and national groups have offered
definitions for organic agriculture. Those definitions speak to environmental,
social, and ethical goals and principles. Organic livestock production is
defined and structured as a part of the whole farm ecosystem. The National
Standards for Organic Agriculture published by the Canadian General Standards
Board speaks to livestock production as follows:
“Provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the
behavioral needs of livestock. Organically raised livestock are managed
to prevent disease and promote wellness through a combination of organically-produced
diet, adequate housing, ethical animal husbandry, handling practices that
minimize stress, and regular monitoring.”
United States National Organic Standards were announced by the USDA on December
20, 2000. The U.S. National Organic Standards are available on the National
Organic Program website at www.ams.usda.gov/nop/, linked from the United States
Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. Feed manufactured
for use in organic pork production can only contain ingredients from three
categories:
- agricultural products that were produced and handled organically,
- nonsynthetic substances such as enzymes, probiotics, and others usually
thought of as natural ingredients, and
- synthetic substances that appear on the national list of Synthetic Substances
Allowed for Use in Organic Livestock Production. Some ingredient use limitations
for organic diets include:
- No genetically modified grain or grain by-products.
- No antibiotics, hormones, or drugs.
- No animal by-products.
- No grain by-products unless produced from certified organic crops.
- No chemically extracted feeds (such as solvent- extracted soybean meal).
- No synthetic amino acids.
Organically produced pork must carry the USDA seal for organic products to
be sold as certified organic pork. A third party must certify that feeding
and production requirements listed in the U.S. National Organic Standards
were followed to allow pork to carry the USDA seal. Certifying agencies have
18 months from the time the standards were announced to comply with these
national standards. While not required by the national standards, some certifying
agencies may institute more stringent rules for any producer seeking that
agency’s certification. Producers should be familiar with the national
standards and in communication with their certifying agency to avoid practices
that may disqualify them as certified organic.
Although the use of antibiotics or drugs is not allowed in animals that are
sold to organic markets, this does not suggest that animal welfare be ignored
if animals become sick or in need of medication. In fact, the National Standards
on Organic Agricultural Production and Handling (2000) establish that a producer
of organic livestock must administer vaccines and other veterinary biologics
as needed to protect the well-being of animals in his or her care. When preventative
practices and veterinary biologics are inadequate to prevent sickness, the
producer may administer medications included on the National List of synthetic
substances allowed for use in organic production systems. The ruling goes
on to state that the producer must not withhold medical treatment from a sick
animal to maintain its organic status. All appropriate medications and treatments
must be used to restore an animal to health when methods acceptable to organic
production standards fail. Livestock that are treated with prohibited materials
must be clearly identified and shall not be sold, labeled, or represented
as organic.
Corn-soybean meal based diets are typically used in midwestern pork production
because of the abundant supply, high nutritional value, and competitive cost.
Similar formulations are being used for organic production with organically-produced
corn and soybean meal. However, the high cost and limited availability of
organically-produced corn and soybean meal may preclude their use in some
organic production systems. As a result, there is considerable interest in
alternative ingredients to reduce cost and diversify crop rotations on organic
farms. The high cost of organic grain and protein sources also suggests that
producers explore the maximization of pasture contributions during months
when grazing is practical. Nutrient contributions from pasture should be considered
when formulating complete diets.
