Organic certification verifies that livestock are raised 

according to the USDA organic regulations throughout 

their lives. www.ams.usda.gov/organicinfo

Like other organic products, organic livestock must be:

- Produced without genetic engineering, ionizing 

radiation, or sewage sludge.

- Managed in a manner that conserves natural 

resources and biodiversity.

- Raised per the National List of Allowed and 

Prohibited Substances (National List).

- Overseen by a USDA National Organic Programauthorized certifying agent, meeting all USDA 

organic regulations. 

ORGANIC LIVESTOCK STANDARDS

Farmers and ranchers must accommodate the health 

and natural behavior of their animals year-round. For 

example, organic livestock must be:

- Generally, managed organically from the last 

third of gestation (mammals) or second day of life 

(poultry).

- Allowed year-round access to the outdoors except 

under specific conditions (e.g., inclement weather).

- Raised on certified organic land meeting all 

organic crop production standards.

- Raised per animal health and welfare standards.

- Fed 100 percent certified organic 

feed, except for trace minerals and vitamins used 

to meet the animal’s nutritional requirements.

- Managed without antibiotics, added growth 

hormones, mammalian or avian byproducts, 

or other prohibited feed ingredients (e.g., urea, 

manure, or arsenic compounds).

To determine if a farm complies with the USDA organic 

regulations, certifying agents review the farm’s written 

organic system plan and on-site inspection findings.

Prevention. Since organic farmers can’t routinely use 

drugs to prevent diseases and parasites, they mostly 

use animal selection and management practices. Only 

a few drugs, such as vaccines, are allowed. 

Treatment. Pain medication and dewormers (for dairy 

and breeder stock) are examples of allowed animal 

drugs. These therapies are only allowed if preventive 

strategies fail and the animal becomes ill. 

Approved synthetics: http://bit.ly/livestock-synthetics

If approved interventions fail, the animal must still be 

given all appropriate treatment(s). However, once an 

animal is treated with a prohibited substance (e.g., 

antibiotics), the animal and/or its products must not be 

sold as organic post-treatment.

Which substances can be used to prevent 

and treat diseases in organic livestock?

ORGANIC LIVESTOCK REQUIREMENTS

USDA National Organic Program | Agricultural Marketing Service July 2013
ORGANIC LIVESTOCK REQUIREMENTS (continued)

Organic livestock must be raised in a way that 

accommodates their health and natural behavior: 

- Access to the outdoors

- Shade

- Clean, dry bedding

- Shelter

- Space for exercise

- Fresh air

- Clean drinking water

- Direct sunlight

Organic management reduces stress, reducing the 

incidence of diseases and supporting animal welfare.

RUMINANT PASTURE STANDARDS

Organic ruminant livestock—such as cattle, sheep, 

and goats—must have free access to certified organic 

pasture for the entire grazing season. This period is 

specific to the farm’s geographic climate, but must be 

at least 120 days. Due to weather, season, or climate, 

the grazing season may or may not be continuous. 

Organic ruminants’ diets must contain at least 30 

percent dry matter (on average) from certified organic 

pasture. Dry matter intake (DMI) is the amount of 

feed an animal consumes per day on a moisture-free 

basis. The rest of its diet must also be certified organic, 

including hay, grain, and other agricultural products.

No. Ruminant livestock must graze on certified organic 

pasture throughout the entire grazing season for the 

geographic region. Depending on region-specific 

After an animal reaches the 120-day 

grazing minimum, does that mean it no 

longer needs to be on pasture?

environmental conditions (e.g., rainfall), the grazing 

season will range from 120 to 365 days per year.

Per the USDA organic regulations, the grazing season is 

the period of time when pasture is available for grazing 

due to natural precipitation or irrigation. 

Outside the grazing season, ruminants must have 

free access to the outdoors year-round except under 

specified conditions (e.g. inclement weather). Ruminant 

slaughter stock are exempt from the 30 percent DMI 

from pasture requirement for the last fifth of their lives 

(up to 120 days). 

To access worksheets on calculating DMI from pasture, 

visit www.ams.usda.gov/NOPProgramHandbook.

BENEFITS: ORGANIC MANAGEMENT

Organic livestock production and pasture-based systems 

provide many benefits: 

Environment. Organic farmers and ranchers use practices 

that minimize impacts to the off-farm environment. 

They implement plans to avoid manure runoff, instead 

using manure as fertilizer or composting it to conserve 

nutrients. Additionally, farmers use sustainable practices 

such as crop rotation and cover crops to maintain soil 

fertility and protect soil and water quality.

Animal Health. Pasture-based diets improve ruminants’ 

digestive health, making the rumen (first stomach) 

less acidic. This lower acidity increases the number of 

beneficial microorganisms that help ferment ruminants’ 

high-fiber diet. Pasture-based systems have been shown 

to reduce hock lesions and other lameness, mastitis, 

veterinary expenses, and cull rates. 

For a detailed guide on organic livestock production, 

visit http://bit.ly/organic-livestock-guide.

How do the organic standards 

support animal welfare?