2017 SWCS Annual Conference July 30-August 2, 2017 Monona Terrace Convention Center

1. TYPE HERE
Ben Bowell
Organic Education Specialist, Oregon Tilth
Organic Conservation Specialist, USDA NRCS
NRCS West National Technology Support Center

2. OUTLINE
Organic Livestock and
Conservation
• USDA Organic regulations
and opportunities
• Considerations
• Key resources

3. Opportunities &
Considerations

4. Pasture
Managed to avoid “putting soil or water quality at risk”
120 days/ 30% DMI

5. Pasture Plan
Including: pasture description, forage availability/animal demand,
maps, fence, water, etc.
NRCS

6. Opportunities
Organic producers could
use support with things like:
• Forage and range
plantings
• Prescribed / rotational
grazing
• Pasture management
plan
• Fence
• Nutrient Management
• Water facilities
NRCS

7. Pasture Considerations
Pasture must be managed as an organic crop
NRCS

8. Land: 3 years

9. Seeds

10. No treated lumber in contact with soil or livestock

11. Buffer

12. Opportunities
Hedgerow, windbreak, field border, pollinator plantings, etc.

13. Livestock living
conditions

14. Livestock Living Conditions
• Year-round access to the outdoors, shade, shelter,
exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking, and
direct sunlight…
• …must be well-drained and managed to prevent runoff
of wastes and contaminated waters.
Photo by USDA NRCS
Photo by USDA NRCS

15. Opportunities
Organic producers could use
support with things like:
• Tree/alley cropping (for
shade)
• Windbreaks
• Shade shelters
• Compost facility
• Nutrient management
• Watering facility

16. Nutrient Management
Considerations

17. Manure Standard
• Crop for human
consumption—raw
manure incorporated at
pre-harvest intervals:
90 or 120 days
• “Conventional” manure
• Compost: 131°for at
least 3 days

18. Organic Livestock and
Poultry Practices (OLPP)
Rule
• Final rule published on January 19, 2017
• Implementation delayed (from March, to May
2017; reposted on Federal Register in May,
delayed until November 2017)
• Goal to increase consistency & better meet
consumer expectations

20. Organic Livestock and
Poultry Practices (OLPP)
Rule
- In- and outdoor stocking densities for poultry
- 50% of outdoor access area must be soil based, usually
with vegetative cover, vegetative cover encouraged
- May deny outdoor access when conditions would
endanger soil or water quality
- Porches don’t count for poultry, must encourage birds to
go outside

21. Outdoor access incudes pigs
(soil contact not required)

22. Natural resources
& biodiversity

23. Natural Resources &
Biodiversity
• “maintain or improve the natural resources of the
operation, including soil and water quality.”
• “natural resources of the operation” defined as soil,
water, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife.”
• Guidance: Natural Resources and Biodiversity
Conservation (NOP 5020)

24. Photo by USDA NRCS
• Managed grazing
• Nutrient management
• Fencing sensitive areas
• Wildlife habitat
• Delayed/strategic mowing
• Native plantings
• And more…

25. Resources

28. Ben Bowell
ben@tilth.org
benjamin.bowell@por.usda.gov
503-580-4767
Questions?