Jogeephus
Well-known member
In your area, how long does it normally take for a calf that's been feeding at the bunk to be removed and considered grass-fed?
Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standards
Claim and Standard:
Grass (Forage) Fed – 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. 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. 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. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. 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.
chippie":2lrhw2gw said:According the USDA :
Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standards
Claim and Standard:
Grass (Forage) Fed – 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. 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. 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. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. 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.
http://tinyurl.com/USDA-marketing-GrassFed
and another document from the Beef Board
http://www.beefboard.org/news/files/factsheets/grass-finished-beef.pdf
3waycross":26hufdld said:I have to wonder at what point does standing corn with well filled out ears become pre or post vegetative. The last time I looked we chopped silage after the ears had filled but before it turned.. I suppose it would have to be measured by the moisture level in the corn itself.
chippie":26hufdld said:or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state.
Red Bull Breeder":2dcdiajl said:Do you have to remove the bunk or can you just add grass. If the calf is eating grass I reckon its grass fed.
Limomike":2y7znipe said:Red Bull Breeder":2y7znipe said:Do you have to remove the bunk or can you just add grass. If the calf is eating grass I reckon its grass fed.
I agree.
chippie":3mnllofx said:According the USDA :
Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standards
Claim and Standard:
Grass (Forage) Fed – 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. 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. 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. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. 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.
http://tinyurl.com/USDA-marketing-GrassFed
and another document from the Beef Board
http://www.beefboard.org/news/files/factsheets/grass-finished-beef.pdf
TexasBred":v9kq52pe said:chippie":v9kq52pe said:According the USDA :
Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standards
Claim and Standard:
Grass (Forage) Fed – 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. 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. 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. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. 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.
http://tinyurl.com/USDA-marketing-GrassFed
and another document from the Beef Board
http://www.beefboard.org/news/files/factsheets/grass-finished-beef.pdf
Wonder where wet brewers grain would fit into this. Technically it begins as grains, however, as spent brewers grain it is considered roughage from a nutritional stand point.
Jogeephus":17edawye said:3waycross":17edawye said:I have to wonder at what point does standing corn with well filled out ears become pre or post vegetative. The last time I looked we chopped silage after the ears had filled but before it turned.. I suppose it would have to be measured by the moisture level in the corn itself.
chippie":17edawye said:or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state.
According to this it would not qualify.
Thanks Chippie. That's how I looked at it too and why I have reservations. I'll admit I can be bought but always conceded it would be a minimum of $5 million in cash. I am afraid one day some sharp investigative reporter will look past the smoke and mirrors and give the cattle industry another black eye.
Jogeephus":3qg84o29 said: