MOFGA Certification Services, LLC

Important Dairy Herd Conversion Information

MCS requires dairies to inform MCS of their intent to become certified organic at the beginning of the transition year. This is accomplished by completing an "INTENT TO TRANSITION" (PDF Format, 117 Kb size) form and submitting it to the MCS Director.

Applications from dairies that have not submitted an "INTENT TO TRANSITION" form at the start of their transition year may be accepted, but acceptance of the application in this instance will mark the start of the transition year.

If a farm is not transitioning a herd to organic, but instead buying certified organic animals to create an organic dairy heard, you do not have to file an "INTENT TO TRANSITION" form. However, if your farm and fields are not already certified, you must apply for certification at the start of the growing season in order for us to be able to verify by inspection your cropping systems and your approach to organic land management.

EFFECTIVE THROUGH JUNE 4, 2006: When an entire, distinct herd is converted to organic production, the producer may for the first 9 months of the transition year provide a minimum of 80 percent feed that is either organic or raised by organic methods from land in the last year of transition to organic. This land must be under the farmer's control. For the final 3 months of the transition year, concentrate and forage must be 100% certified organic. During this 12-month transition period, all other management (health care, outdoor access, etc.) must meet organic standards. Once converted to organic production, all animals shall be managed organically from the last third of gestation.

AS A RESULT OF HARVEY V. JOHANNS, WE ANTICIPATE THE FOLLOWING TO BECOME EFFECTIVE AFTER JUNE 4, 2006: When an entire distinct herd is converted to organic production, the producer must provide 100% organic feed for the entire 12-month transition period. All purchased or off-farm feeds must be certified organic by a USDA-accredited certifier. Feeds produced on-farm from land that is certifiable or in the last year of transition may be used. During this 12-month transition period, all other management (health care, outdoor access, etc) must meet the standards. Once converted to organic production, all animals shall be managed organically from the last third of gestation.

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