Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1020 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 September 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 3 

GRASS FED PROGRAM FOR

SMALL AND VERY SMALL PRODUCERS

1 Purpose

This document provides the specified product requirements for the Small and Very Small Grass Fed 

Producer Program (SVS). The program is designed to address the needs of producers who want to 

market their live ruminant animals as grass fed. This program is designed to provide grass fed 

verification services to small and very small operations.

2 Scope

This document applies to applicants of the SVS. SVS applicants may apply and verify the 

requirements for grass fed live ruminant animals to their approved programs. 

3 References

QAD 1000 Procedure: Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures

QAD 1020C: Application for the USDA Grass Fed Program - Cattle

QAD 1020S: Application for the USDA Grass Fed Program - Sheep

Application for Service (LP-109)

4 Definitions

4.1 Small or Very Small Sheep Producer: A producer who market lambs from 99 or fewer ewes 

annually.0F

1

4.2 Small or Very Small Cattle Producer: A producer who market 49 or fewer cattle annually.1F

2

Note: AMS will consider, on a case-by-case basis, approving producers who market slightly 

more ruminant animals than allowed by the definition to use this verification process. 

5 Responsibilities

 

1 AMS used the smallest group identified in the Farms, Land in Farms and Livestock Operations 2012 Summary 

(February 2013), National Agricultural Statistics Service chart “Number of Ewes and Lambs Operations and Percent of 

Inventory by Size Group – United States: 2011 and 2012” to make this determination.

2 AMS used the smallest group identified in the Farms, Land in Farms and Livestock Operations 2012 Summary 

(February 2013), National Agricultural Statistics Service chart “Number of Cattle and Calves Operations and Percent of 

Inventory by Size Group – United States: 2011 and 2012”, to make this determination.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1020 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 September 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 3

5.1 Applicants must meet all applicable policies and procedures referenced in Section 3.

5.2 Applications should be submitted via email to QAD.Auditservice@usda.gov. If email is not 

possible hard copy application can be submitted to:

USDA, AMS, L&P

Quality Assessment Division

1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Stop 0258

Washington, DC 20250

6 Application for Service

6.1 To request service, submit the following information to QAD.AuditService@usda.gov:

a) Application for Service (LP-109). Applicants who have a LP-109 on file do not need 

to resubmit the document unless the information must be updated.

b) A cover letter (hard copy or in electronic form) requesting services for each program 

in which the applicant wishes to participate.

c) A complete copy (hard copy or in electronic form) of the applicant's program 

documentation as described in the individual program procedure, as applicable. Email 

the documentation to QAD.AuditService@usda.gov.

6.2 An applicant may cancel the application process at any time. Applicants are responsible for 

fees accrued prior to canceling their application.

7 Audit Process

7.1 Applications will undergo a desk audit for initial approval of the farm or ranch.

7.2 The approval will be for a two-year period.

7.3 Due to individual complexities of some operations an onsite audit may be required to ensure 

conformance to the Grass Fed Program.

7.4 The cost of the desk audit and if necessary, the onsite audit will be borne by the applicant. 

Cost for the normal desk audit is an approximate one (1) hour fee rate as charged by the 

Quality Assessment Division.

8 Program for Grass Fed Ruminant Animals

8.1 Grass and forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, 

with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning.

8.2 The diet shall be derived solely from forage consisting of grass (annual and perennial), forbs 

(e.g., legumes, Brassica), browse, or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 1020 Procedure

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 September 1, 2019

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 3 

8.3 Animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts and must have continuous access to pasture 

during the growing season. Hay, haylage, baleage, silage, crop residue without grain, and 

other roughage sources may also be included as acceptable feed sources.

8.4 Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. 

8.5 If incidental supplementation occurs due to inadvertent exposure to non-forage feedstuffs or 

to ensure the animal’s well-being at all times during adverse environmental or physical 

conditions, the producer must fully document (e.g., receipts, ingredients, and tear tags) the 

supplementation that occurs including the amount, the frequency, and the supplements 

provided. 

Note 1: Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation must not include any added protein to 

the animal’s diet. Supplements that contain added proteins (e.g. grain, grain by-products, 

urea or molasses) are not allowed under this marketing claim.

Note 2: Back verification is not allowed under this claim. If a producer purchases cattle or 

sheep from an outside source, those animals must be purchased from a producer located on 

the Official Listing for the Small Very Small Grass Fed Beef/Sheep Program. The Official 

Listings are available on the USDA Grass Fed Small & Very Small Producer Program 

website.

___________________________________

Jeff Waite, Branch Chief

Quality Assessment Division 

Livestock and Poultry Program

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