The USDA is asking if organic ruminants — such as a beef cattle and bison — should be permitted to be kept in feedlots for the final portion of their lives while they are “finished” before slaughter or if they should be required by USDA organic regulations to obtain at least a portion of their feed directly from pasture.

To gain a deeper understanding of current practices in the organic beef industry, Cornucopia surveyed organic beef producers across the nation. Based on this research, Cornucopia is proposing a three-tiered labeling system for organic meat from ruminants.

Download the full Position Paper: Organic Feedlot/Grass-based Beef