Google Yahoo! Myspace YouTube Facebook Live eBay Wikipedia Craigslist Blogger Amazon Go CNN ESPN New York Times Weather About MapQuest Apple Ask Wal-Mart Chase Cnet Bank of America CareerBuilder
U.S. Department of Agriculture imposes new standards for milk to qualify as organic
|
Got grass? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed strict new standards for what kind of milk qualifies as organic: Cows must get plenty of fresh grass and spend at least four months a year grazing in pastures.
The rules, which will go into effect June 17, are aimed at standardizing industry practices and easing consumer concerns about how the milk they buy is created.
Current rules require milk marketed as organic to come from cows whose feed was grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or genetically modified seeds. Herds can't be treated with hormones or antibiotics.
The new rules seek to close loopholes that had allowed some of the country's largest feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their herds rarely grazed in fields. Bovines are natural grazers that have been known to contract digestive ailments from grain. Farmers will have to ensure that at least 30% of their cows' diet comes from pasture grass during the mandatory grazing season.
Farmers in more temperate regions -- such as California and the Southeast -- will be expected to let them eat au natural far longer than the minimum 120 days.
Current rules require milk marketed as organic to come from cows whose feed was grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or genetically modified seeds. Herds can't be treated with hormones or antibiotics.
The new rules seek to close loopholes that had allowed some of the country's largest feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their herds rarely grazed in fields. Bovines are natural grazers that have been known to contract digestive ailments from grain. Farmers will have to ensure that at least 30% of their cows' diet comes from pasture grass during the mandatory grazing season.
Farmers in more temperate regions -- such as California and the Southeast -- will be expected to let them eat au natural far longer than the minimum 120 days.
Categories
Newsletter
Get each new article from
New York
Your email:
Latest
Mets edge Pirates in Dickey's 11-strikeout gameNew York Seizes Control of Horse-Racing BoardNew York City to get first major natgas line in 40 yearsNew York Taxi Drivers Unsure They Will See Benefits of a Fare HikeNew York Tops London With A Million Dollar Parking SpaceAmerican Idol: Will Jessica Sanchez's Bad Original Song Cost Her The Title?Egyptians to vote in historic presidential electionNorth Korea says it will 'expand' nuclear program in face of U.S. 'hostility'Iran's Ahmadinejad to visit China to discuss nuclear issueRomney adds to delegate lead with win in Kentucky
Tags
Popular
New York cops bust 45 in 'Supreme Team' drug crackdownNew York Tattoo Convention lands at Roseland Ballroom with up to 200 artistsREVEALED: A look inside Britain's most exclusive apartment block as £65m flat at One Hyde Park goes up for saleSenators take aim at Facebook co-founder, who will skip taxes by renouncing citizenshipNew York City Plans to Offer Buyouts to Idled TeachersBeastie Boys' Adam Yauch Honored by New York Senate$90M midtown penthouse tops mark for priciest New York City apartmentDonna Summer, Disco Queen, Dead at 63Popular Antibiotic May Raise Risk of Sudden DeathCalifornia expects Facebook boost
Comments
New York, NY |
|
