The latest commentary from John Block Reports from Washington, sponsored by John Deere and the National Corn Growers Association, discusses the marketing and advertisement tactics of Chipotle Mexican Grill, the fast food restaurant that has been linked to several outbreaks of e. coli and norovirus nationwide. Chipotle has built its brand by putting down conventional food production methods, marketing the … Read More
Report Suggests Misrepresentation by Organic Egg Industry
The results from a six-year research study conducted by The Cornucopia Institute, a non-profit watchdog group that focuses on farm policy research, have revealed that many facilities currently producing eggs with “organic” labels are doing so on an industrial scale, seemingly misrepresenting the “organic” production method to consumers while mirroring conventional-style practices. The study profiles management practices employed by organic … Read More
Rodale Institute to Partner with CowMaster
Rodale Institute, a non-profit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach, announced that they have partnered with CowMaster to provide botanical formulas from certified organic and wild-crafted sources to dairy farmers. Through the partnership, 20% of all CowMaster profits will be donated to Rodale Institute. “Rodale Institute’s new partnership with CowMaster will not only generate a new source … Read More
Organic & Conventional Dairies Show Few Differences
Cows raised on organic and conventional dairy farms in three regions of the United States show no significant differences in health or in the nutritional content of their milk, according to a new study by Oregon State University researchers and their collaborators. Many organic and conventional dairies in the study also did not meet standards set by three commonly used … Read More
Organic Valley Coop Debuts New Products
Organic Valley Cooperative has launched “Grassmilk” — a line of non-homogenized, minimally pasteurized milk from grass-fed cows, and introduced lactose-free whole milk and half-and-half. It also sells milk fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids. The company’s “Omega-3 Milk” sprang from the realization that many young mothers relied on baby formula fortified with these fatty acids and would be seeking fortified milk … Read More
Helping Organic Dairies Become More Profitable
Organic dairy farmers and University of Minnesota experts will collaborate on a new study aimed at improving dairies’ profitability through improved pasture production, best management practices for animal comfort and more milk production. The project, headquartered at the university’s West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris, brings farmers together with experts in animal science, entomology, agronomy and economics. A … Read More
New Compost Facility Opens
Pennsylvania has a new composting facility, Oregon Dairy Organics, which will use up to 20,000 tons of manure from a Lancaster County farm, Oregon Dairy. The Hurst family, which operates the dairy along with an adjacent grocery store, partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund and Terra-Gro Inc. of Peach Bottom, Pa., on the project. The 5-acre facility will initially use … Read More
Milking Parlor Podcast: New Rules for Organic Pastures
The USDA has issued the final rule on organic access to pasture. This rule amends the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to clarify the use of pasture in raising organic ruminants. USDA officials say the final rule provides certainty to consumers that organic livestock production is a pasture based system in which animals are actively grazing pasture during the grazing … Read More
USDA Issues Final Rule on Organic
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced details of the final regulation regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations. This rule amends the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to clarify the use of pasture in raising organic ruminants. “Clear and enforceable standards are essential to the health and success of the market for organic agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary … Read More
Universities Receiving Funding for Organic Research
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has announced more than $19 million in grants have been awarded to universities across the country to solve critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects. Merrigan announced the funding in Portland, Maine, and was joined by representatives from the University of Maine, the local grant recipient which is conducting … Read More