AmericanGrassfedAssociation

GrassfedGrassPasturedRuminantStandards

June 2014

1Introduction

TheAmericanGrassfedAssociation(AGA)standardsareintendedtoincorporatetheattributesofopenpasture,animalwelfare,noantibiotics,nohormones,theproductionofnutritiousandhealthymeats,andtobesupportiveofAmericanfamilyfarms. ThestandardfurtherrecognizesthattheUSisgeographicallyandclimaticallydiverseandthatgrassfedproductionwithoutanysupplementationmaynotbefeasibleinsomeregionsofthecountry. IndevelopingagrasspasturedstandardtheAGAbringstogetherfarmswhosharetheattributesstatedabovebutmaydifferintheirapproachorneedforsupplementalfeedonpasture.

ThesestandardsapplytoallfarmsandranchesapprovedbytheAmericanGrassfedAssociation(AGA)fortheproductionofmarketanimalsandproductsdestinedforcertificationbyAGA. OnlyfarmsandranchescertifiedasfollowingthesestandardsmayuseAGA’sAmericanGrassfedAssociationlogos,Associationtrademarks,servicemarks,and/ordesignmarkshereafterreferredtoasAGADesignMark.

2Certification

2.1StatementofPurpose;Applicability

TheAmericanGrassfedAssociation(AGA)familyoflogosanddesignmarkswasdevelopedbytheAmericanGrassfedAssociationandtrademarkedtoidentifyfoodandagricultureproducts,whichmeetthestandardsassetforthintheAGAGrassfedandGrassPasturedRuminantStandardsandcertifiedthroughaprogramapprovedbytheAGA. ThelogosanddesignmarkshavebeentrademarkedbytheU.S.TrademarkandPatentofficeandmayonlybeusedbythosewhohaveanapprovedsignedlicenseagreementwiththeAmericanGrassfedAssociation.TheAmericanGrassfedAssociationlogosanddesignmarkswereestablishedtoprovideamarketingprogramthataddsvaluetofoodandagriculturalproductsthatmeettherequirementssetbytheAGAmembershipandtheBoardofDirectors. TherequirementsoftheAGAGrassfedandGrassPasturedRuminantStandardsaresetbytheAmericanGrassfedAssociationmembersanditsBoardofDirectorsandmaybeamendedfromtimetotime.

2.2StatementofUse

TheAmericanGrassfedAssociationtrademark,servicemark,and/ordesignmarkmaybeusedonproductpackagingandpromotionalmaterials,includingbrochures,salesliterature,advertising,banners,Websites,pointofpurchasematerial,etc. Whenused,thelogosmustcomplywiththefollowingguidelines. Ifacompanywishestousethelogosinamannerotherthandescribedintheseguidelines,itmustrequestandreceivepermissioninwritingfromtheAmericanGrassfedAssociation.

i.AlicenseemaydisplaytheAGADesignMark,whichisaregisteredcertificationmark,ontheproductslicensed.

ii.LicenseemusthaveanapprovedsignedlicenseagreementwiththeAmericanGrassfedAssociationtousethetrademark,servicemark,and/ordesignmarkonanyproducts.

iii.Licenseemayusethetrademark,servicemarkand/ordesignmarkoncompanystationery,promotionalliteratureandwebsitesonlyifAGAcertifieslicensee’sentirelivestockproductrange. Licenseemayonlyusetheservice/designmarkassociatedwithitsauditedproduct,grassfedorgrasspastured.

2.3ProductRequirements

Theserequirementsareforraw,processed,andnon-processedruminantproductsproducedusingtheproductionrequirementssetforthintheAGAGrassfedandGrassPasturedRuminantStandardsandcertifiedbysuchagencyassetbytheAGAboardofdirectors.

2.4UseoftheAmericanGrassfedAssociationDesignMark

2.4.1

ApplicantsmustcertifyontheapplicationthatallapplicableAGAGrassfedandGrassPasturedRuminantStandardsaremet.

2.4.2

ApplicantsmustbecurrentmembersoftheAmericanGrassfedAssociationwithallduesandfeespaidwhileusingtheAGAdesignmark.

2.4.3

Applicant’sfarmorranchwillbeauditedbytheAGAorit’sapprovedcertifyingagency(s)todetermineeligibilitytousetheAGAdesignmark.

2.4.4

TheAGAwilldeterminewhichofitsstandards,grassfedorgrasspastured,appliestotheapplicant’sfarm/ranchandwhichAGAdesignmarktheapplicantwillbelicensedtouse.

2.4.5

TheAGAoritsapprovedcertifyingagency(s)maymakeunannouncedsitevisitstoapplicantfarmsorranchestoverifythatallAGAGrassfedandGrassPasturedRuminantStandardsaremet.

2.4.6

Exceptasotherwiseprovidedinthissection,allrequirementsformembershipintheAmericanGrassfedAssociationshallapplytoentitiesandindividualscertifiedunderthissection.

2.5AmericanGrassfedDesignMark

2.5.1

TheAGADesignMarkmustbereproducedfromoriginalartwork. PleasecontactAGAforacopyoftheDesignMark.

2.5.2

Grassfed Logo

• Complete and upright

•In one color

Grass Pastured Logo

•Clearly visible

•At least ½ inch in diameter

•Clear and legible over the whole of a background

•On the main face of the label or packaging

2.5.3

AnyuseoftheselogoswhichisdeemedamisrepresentationoftheintendedusebytheAmericanGrassfedAssociationmayresultinthesuspensionofthelicenseagreementand/orprosecution.

2.6Fees

ApplicantsshallsubmitanannualfeeassetbytheAmericanGrassfedAssociationboardofdirectors. AperheadfeewillalsobeassessedbytheboardforeveryanimalmarketedusingtheAGAdesignmarkand/oreverydairyanimalinproduction.

3GrassfedandGrassPasturedStandards

3.1ForageProtocol

3.1.1

Alllivestockproductionmustbepasture/grass/foragebased.

3.1.2

Grassandforage,shallbethefeedsourceconsumedforthelifetimeoftheruminantanimal,withtheexceptionofmilkconsumedpriortoweaning. Thedietshallbederivedsolelyfromforageconsistingofgrass(annualandperennial),forbs(e.g.legumes,Brassicas),browse,orcerealgraincropsinthevegetative(pre-grain)state.

3.1.3

Approvedsupplementsmaybefedasoutlinedinsection3.3.

3.1.4

Animalscannotbefedgrain.

3.1.5

Animalsmusthavecontinuousaccesstopastureandforageappropriatetothespecies.

3.1.6

Forageisdefinedasanyherbaceousplantmaterialthatcanbegrazedorharvestedforfeeding,withtheexceptionofgrain.

3.2Grazing,ConfinementandStockPiledForages

3.2.1

AllAGAgrassfed,grasspastured,anddairyanimalsmustbemaintainedatalltimesonrange,pasture,orinpaddockswithatleast75%foragecoverorunbrokengroundfortheirentirelives.

Note:Theprovisionsofthisstandarddonotprecludecommonlyusedgrazingpracticessuchashigh-density/low-frequencyorstripgrazing,whenlargenumbersofanimalsmaygrazegrowingforagesinsmallpaddocksforshortperiodsoftime.

3.2.2

FeedingAGAanimalsinaConcentratedAnimalFeedingOperation(CAFO)isprohibited.

3.2.3

AGAanimalsanddairyanimalsmayonlyberemovedfrompastureasdefinedby3.2.1duringsevereweatheroremergenciesthatmaythreatenthesafetyandwell-beingoftheanimals.

Note:Thisdoesnotprecludecommonlyusedpracticessuchasroundups,sorting,weaning,andtransportation

3.2.4

IfAGAanimalsanddairyanimalsareremovedfrompastureand/orhousedunderconditionssetin

3.2.3theiraccesstopasturemustnotberestrictedformorethan45dayspercalendaryear.

3.2.5

Sacrificepasturesmaybeusedtoprotectsurroundingpasturesfromoveruseduringsevereweatherortimesofslowpasturere-growth(drought). Sacrificepastureisdefinedasapasturewhereanimalsarefreetomoveaboutandexpresstheirnaturalbehaviorsandwhereforagecanbegrownduringthegrowingseason.

3.2.6

AGAanimalsmaybefedhay,haylage,balage,silage without grain,forageproducts,cropresiduewithoutgrain,andotherroughagesourceswhileonpasture.

3.2.7

Dairycalvesmustreceivecolostrumwithin6hoursofbirthandhaveaccesstohighqualityforageandpastureafter7daysofage.

3.2.8

DairyanimalsthataretobemarketedasAGAcertifiedgrassfedbeefmustberaisedtoAGAstandards.

3.2.9

Approvedmineralandvitaminsupplementsmaybeprovidedfreechoicetoadjusttheanimal’snutrientintakeandtocorrectdeficienciesinitstotaldiet.

3.2.10

Incidentalconsumptionofseedsfromgrainorcerealgrainnaturallyattachedtoherbage,forage,andbrowseisonlypermittedinanun-harvestedcropthatcomplieswith3.2.11.

3.2.11

Deliberatelywaitinguntilgrainorcerealgraincrophassetseedbeforegrazingorharvestingforstoredforageisprohibited.

3.2.12

Grazingvegetativere-growthofharvestedgrainfieldsispermittedif75%ofthefieldisinvegetativere-growthandtheaverageheightofthere-growthis8”.

3.3Supplementation

3.3.1–Grassfed

AGAgrassfedanimalsmayonlybefedapprovedsupplementstoensuretheanimal’swell-beingduringperiodsoflowforagequalityorinclementweather. SeeAppendixBforapprovedgrassfed supplements.

3.3.2–Grassfed

Whentheconditionsof3.3.1aremet,AGAgrassfedanimalsmayreceivesupplementationofapprovedsupplementsnottoexceed0.625%ofbodyweightperday(25%totaldailyintake)and1%oflifetimeintakewhencalculatedonadrymatterbasis. SeeAppendixBfortotalintakeguidelines.

3.3.3–GrassfedDairy

AGAgrassfeddairyanimalsmaybefedapprovedgrasspasturedsupplementsatarateof0.5%ofbodyweight(20%ofdailyintake)duringthegrowthstageand0.75%ofbodyweight(30%ofdailyintake)duringlactation. Supplementlevelsarecalculatedonadrymatterbasis. SeeAppendixCforapprovedsupplements

3.3.4–GrassPastured

AGAgrasspasturedanimalsmaybefedapprovedsupplementsatarateof0.5%ofbodyweight(20%ofdailyintake)duringthegrowthstageforbeefanimalsand0.75%ofbodyweight(30%ofdailyintake)duringthefinishingstageforbeefanimalswhencalculatedonadrymatterbasis. SeeAppendixCforapprovedgrasspasturedsupplements.

Note:Forthepurposeofthisstandardthefinishingstageisdefinedasthelast200poundsgainedbeforeharvest.

3.3.5

SupplementsmustbeapprovedinadvancebyAGA’snutritionalsupplementscommitteeorbelistedintheApprovedSupplementsList:seeAppendixBforapprovedgrassfedsupplementsandAppendixCforapprovedgrasspasturedsupplements. Approvedsupplementsortotalsupplementrationsmaynotexceed30%Non-FibrousCarbohydrate(NFC).

Note:Supplementsthathaveanadverseeffectonthenutritionalqualityofthemeatormilkproducedorhavenegativehealthbenefitsontheanimalsfedwillnotbepermitted.

3.3.6

Receipts,ingredientlists,and/orteartagsmustberetainedfromanysupplementsprovided.

3.3.7

Arecordofwhatwasgiven,howmuchwasgiven,andwhenitwasgivenmustbekeptforanysupplementswhetherdeliberatelyprovidedortowhichtheAGAgrassfedruminantisinadvertentlyexposed. Ifinadvertentexposuretobannedfeedstuffsoccurstheincidentmustberecorded,andreportedatthetimeofthenextaudit.

3.3.8

Non-inadvertentfeedinganyofthebannedfeedstuffslistedinAppendixDtoAGAgrassfedgrasspasturedanimalsisprohibitedandcanresultinthelossofAGAcertifiedstatus.

3.5AnimalHealthandCare

3.5.1

Thisspaceintentionallyleftblank.

3.5.2

Theproducermustdevelopandmaintainawrittenrecordofallvaccines,medications,orothersubstancesusedinhis/heranimalhealthcareprogram.

3.5.3

AGAGrassfedRuminantanimalsmustnotbefedorinjectedwithantibiotics.

3.5.4

Sickorinjuredanimalsmustbetreatedtorelievetheirsymptoms.

3.5.5

Ifprohibitedmedicationsarerequiredfortreatment,theanimalmustbeidentifiedandtracked,andrecordsmustbekepttodemonstratethatitdoesnotentertheAGAGrassfedRuminantsystem.

Note:ProvidedtheidentificationandtrackingareadequatetheanimalmaystillbekeptwithotheranimalsthatdoqualifyforAGAGrassfedRuminantcertification.

3.5.6

Theproducermustkeeppurchaserecordsforanyantibiotics. Antibioticreceiptsandinjectionrecordsmustbeavailableondemandtothecertifyingagency.

3.5.7

NohormonesofanytypemaybeadministeredtoAGAgrassfedorgrasspasturedanimals.

3.5.8

Livestockproducedunderthesestandardsmustnotbefedanyanimalby-productsatanytime.

3.5.9

Noorganophosphatesmaybeused.

3.5.10

All cattle must have an overall body condition score (BCS) of 4 or higher.

3.6AnimalIdentificationandTrace-Back

3.6.1

AGAgrassfedandgrasspasturedanimalsmustbetraceablebywrittenrecordthroughouttheirentirelives,frombirthtoharvest,tothefarmorranchfromwhichtheyoriginated.

3.6.2

Eachproducermustdevelopandmaintainananimalidentificationsystemtoidentifyuniquelyeachanimalorbatchofanimals.

3.6.3

Completeanduptodaterecordsmustbemaintainedandspecificallyidentifyallanimalsraisedandpurchasedthataresold,harvested,orusedformilkproductionaspartoftheAGAgrassfedprogram.

3.6.4

Completeanduptodaterecordsmustbemaintainedtoshowthesourceofallpurchasedmarketanddairyanimalsbroughtontothefarmorranch.

3.6.5

MarketanimalsoneyearofageoryoungermaybebroughtintotheAGACertifiedGrassfed program from farms/ranches of AGA members in good standing byaffidavit and document that they were raised in accordance with AGA Grassfed or Grass Pastured Standards. AGA Grassfed Supplier Affidavit (Appendix A) must be used for all purchased animals.

3.6.6

Allsourced market animalsover one year of age, broughtinfromotherfarms/ranches,mustcomefromAGA cetified producers. AGAGrassfedSupplierAffidavit(AppendixA)mustbeusedforallpurchasedanimals

3.6.7

CompleteanduptodaterecordsmustbemaintainedforallAGAmarketanimalsdeliveredforharvestandalldairyanimalsusedformilkproduction.

3.6.8

Allrecordsaretobemaintainedforaminimumof24monthsaftertheanimalissoldorharvested.

3.6.9

AllrequiredrecordsmustbeinsufficientdetailastodemonstratecompliancewithAGAstandardstothecertifyingagency.

3.7ProgramRequirements

3.7.1

TheannuallicensingcostforAGACertifiedProducerMemberswillbesetbytheAGABoardofDirectorsatregularlyscheduledboardmeetingsandwillbesettocovertheadministrativecosttoAGA. On-farminspectioncostwillbebornebytheindividualmember.

4StandardsAmendmentProcedure

4.1AmendmentProcedure

4.1.1

TheAGArecognizesthatasnewresearchbecomesavailableongrassfedmeatandmilkproducts,changesmayberequiredtotheAGAcertificationprogramstandardsanddefinitions.Thefollowingprocedurewillbefollowedforreviewingandamendingstandardsanddefinitions.

4.1.2

ThereviewandamendmentprocedureshallbeaccomplishedbyaStandards/CertificationCommitteeappointedbytheAGAboardpresident. Amendmentswillrequirea2/3majorityvoteoftheentireStandardsCommittee.

4.1.3.

TheStandards/CertificationCommitteewillmeetatleastonceperyeartoreviewanddiscussnewgrassfedinformationandresearch. AtthismeetingtheCommitteewillvotetosendanyrecommendedamendmentstothefullboardforapproval.

4.1.4

AmendingtheAGAcertificationprogramstandardsanddefinitionsshallrequireamajorityvoteoftheentireBoardofDirectors.

4.1.5

TheBoardofDirectorswillset,onacasebycasebasis,theamountoftimemembershavetoimplementanyadoptedchangestotheAGAcertificationstandardsanddefinitions.

5ReferenceDocuments

5.1AGAGrassfedSupplierAffidavit

SeeAppendixA.

5.2AGAApprovedGrassfedSupplementsList

SeeAppendixB.

5.3AGAApprovedGrassPasturedandGrassfedDairySupplementsList

SeeAppendixC.

5.4AGABannedFeedStuffsList

SeeAppendixD

6AGAGrassfedandGrassPasturedRuminantStandardsDefinitions

BalageorRoundBaleSilage:Apracticethatinvolvescuttingtheforagecropwithconventionalhayharvestingequipment,allowingtheforagetowilttobetween30and60percentdrymatter,thenbalingitintotightbalesandwrappingthemimmediately.Balesarewrappedmechanicallyusingbale-wrappingequipmentthattightlystretchesseverallayersofplasticaroundthehaytoexcludeoxygenandallowproperensiling.(5)

BootStage:Theflagleafisfullyexpanded,buttheawnsandgrainheadarenotvisible.Thegrainheadcanbefeltintheflagleafsheath.(4)

Brassicas:Afamilyofveryproductiveannualforagevegetablesusedastransitioncropsbetweenpasturerenovationsorasasupplementalfeedsourceforextendingthegrazingseasonwhen otherforagesarelessproductivei.e.,turnips,rape,andkale.

Browse:1)Leafandtwiggrowthofshrubs,woodyvines,trees,cacti,andothernon-herbaceousvegetationavailableforanimalconsumption.2)Tobrowse:theconsumptionofbrowseinsitubyanimals.(6)

Concentrate:Allfeed,lowinfiberandhighintotaldigestiblenutrients thatsuppliesprimarynutrients(protein,carbohydrate,andfat);forexample,grains,wheatbran.(6)

CropResidue:Portionofplantsremainingafterfruitand/orseedharvest,saidmainlyofgraincropssuchascornstoverorofsmallgrainstrawandstubble.(6)

Diet:Thefeedregularlyofferedtoorconsumedbyananimal,seeration.(6)

DoughStage:Thekernelisfilledwithstarchandiswellformed.Thereisnomilkyfluid,onlyarubbery,dough-likesubstance.(4)

Dormancy:Inastateofbeingdormantwhennoactivegrowthisoccurring.(7)

Ensilage:Thesameassilage.(2)

Ensiled:Havingbeensubjectedtoanaerobicfermentationtoformsilage.(2)

Feedstuff:anyoftheconstituentnutrientsofananimalration.(7)

Fermentation:Chemicalchangesbroughtaboutbyenzymesproducedbyvariousmicroorganisms.(2)

Forb:Anyherbaceousbroadleafplantthatisnotagrassandisnotgrass-like.(6)

Fruit:1)n.Theusuallyediblereproductivebodyofaseedplantinparticular,onehavingasweetpulpassociatedwiththeseed. 2)n.Aproductoffertilizationinaplantwithitsmodifiedenvelopesorappendages,specificallytheripenedovaryofaseedplantanditscontents.(7)

Grain: Seedfromcerealplants,caryopsis. Corn,wheat,rye,oats,rice,millet,sorghum,barley,triticale.

Grass:MemberoftheplantfamilyPoaceae.(6)

Greenchop:Forageharvestedandfedinthegreen,choppedform,generallywithoutseed.(2)

GrowingForage:Forageplantsthataren’tinthedormant(non-growing)stateandthusareactivelydevelopingstem,leaf,and/orreproductivetissuesforgrowth. (1)

Glucose:Ahexosemonosaccharideobtaineduponthehydrolysisofstarchandcertainothercarbohydrates.Alsocalleddextrose.(2)

Hay:Theaerialpartsofforagecropsstoredinthedryformforanimalfeeding.(2)

Haylage:Haylageisthefeedproducedbystoringinanairtightsiloaforagecropwhichhasbeendriedtoamoisturelevelofabout45-55%.(2)

Herbage:1.)Thebiomassofherbaceousplants,otherthanseparatedgrain,generallyabovegroundbutincludingediblerootsandtubers.(6) 2.)n.Greenplantsespeciallywhenusedorfitforgrazing.(7)

Hydrolysis:Thesplittingofasubstanceintothesmallerunitsbyitschemicalreactionwithwater.(2)

Inflorescence:1)n.Afloralaxiswithitsappendages.2)n.aflowerclusterofwhichthereareatleast9recognizedtypes.(7)

Kernel:Amatureovuleofagrassplantthathastheovarywallfusedtoit.Sameascaryopsis.(6)

Legumes:membersortheFabaceaeplantfamily(formerlyknownastheLeguminoseaefamily).Legumesaredicots(producetwoseedleaves),produceseedinapod,havenettedleafvenation,andusuallyhaveataproottypeofrootsystem.MostlegumeshavetheabilitytointeractwithbacteriaofthegenusRhizobiumtofixnitrogeninnodulesontheirroots.Legumesmayhaveoneoffourdifferenttypesofseedheads.Theseseedheadtypesaretheraceme,thespike,theheadorumbel.(5)

Meadow:Areacoveredwithgrassesand/orlegumes,oftennativetothearea,grownprimarilyforhaybutwithsecondarygrazingpotential.(6)

MilkStage:Ingrain(seed),thestageofdevelopmentfollowingpollinationinwhichtheendospermappearsaswhitishliquidthatissomewhatlikemilk.(6)

Mineral:1)n.asolidhomogeneouscrystallinechemicalelementorcompoundthatresultsfromtheinorganicprocessesofnature.2)n.Anyofthevariousnaturallyoccurringhomogeneoussubstancesobtainedusuallyfromtheground.3)n.asyntheticsubstancehavingthechemicalcompositionandcrystallinefromandpropertiesofanaturallyoccurringmineral.(7)

NativePasture:Nativevegetation(predominantlyherbaceous)usedforgrazinginuntilledareas.Thetermtameorintroducedisusedinsteadofnativeforpasturesthatincludemainlynonnativespecies.(6)

Non-fibrouscarbohydrate(NFC): Thefractionofafeedstuffmadeofsugarsandstarch.(8)

Paddock:Agrazingareathatisasubdivisionofagrazingmanagementunitandisenclosedandseparatedfromotherareasbyafenceorbarrier.(6)

Pasture:1)n.Forageswhichareharvestedbygrazinganimals. 2)n.Anareaoflandwith75%foragecoverorunbrokenlandonwhichlivestockmaygrazeatwill.

Pastureland:Landdevotedtotheproductionofindigenousorintroducedforageforharvestprimarilybygrazing.Pasturelandgenerallymustbemanagedtoarrestsuccessionprocesses.(6)

Pericarp:Theripenedandvariouslymodifiedwallsofaplantovary,especiallythosecontributingtheouterlayerinacerealcaryopsis.(6)

Prairie:Nearlylevelorrollinggrasslandthatwasoriginallytreeless;usuallycharacterizedbyfertile soil.(6)

Range:Landsupportingindigenousvegetationthatisgrazedorthathasthepotentialtobegrazedandismanagedasanaturalecosystem.Includesgrazeableforestlandandrangeland.(6)

Rangeland:landonwhichtheindigenousvegetation(climaxornaturalpotential)ispredominantlygrasses,grass-likeplants,forbs,orshrubssuitableforgrazingorbrowsinguseandismanagedasanaturalecosystem.Ifplantsareintroduced,theyaremanagedasindigenousspecies.

Rangelandsincludenaturalgrasslands,savannas,shrublands,mostdeserts,tundra,alpinecommunities,coastalmarshland,andwetlandmeadows.(6)

Ration:thetotalamountoffeed(diet)allottedtooneanimalfora24-hourperiod.(6)

Residue:thatwhichremainsofanyparticularsubstance.(2)

Roughage:Anyfeed≥18%incrudefiberand≤70%intotaldigestiblenutrients(TDN),onanair-drybasisandarelessthan5.5%crudefat.

Seed:1)n.Ripenedmatureovuleconsistingofanembryo,aseedcoat,andasupplyoffoodthat,insomespeciesisstoredintheendosperm. 2)v.Tosow,astobroadcastordrillsmall-seededgrasses,legumes,orothercrops.(6)

Seedhead: Seeinflorescence.

SeparatedGrain:Grainthatisdetachedfromcerealcropplants.

Silage: Silage as defined by AGA is forage harvested containing no grain and is cut no later than the early reproductive stage (i.e. flowering in grasses/cerial grains, tasseling in corn (R1 stage), and stage 6 for sorghum).

Starch:Apolysaccharidehavingtheformula(C6H10O5)n. Manyplantsstoreenergyintheformofstarch.Starchisamajorcomponentofmostlivestockrations(especiallyfatteningrations)andishighlydigestible.Yieldsglucoseuponcompletehydrolysis.(2)

StockpiledForage:Foragethathasbeenallowedtoaccumulateonapastureorpaddockforgrazingatalaterperiod. Forageisoftenstockpiledforautumnandwintergrazingafterorduringdormancyorsemi-dormancy,butstockpilingmayoccuratanytimeduringtheyearasapartofaforagemanagementplan. Stockpilingcanbedescribedintermsofdefermentandforageaccumulation.(6)

Stover:Thematuredcuredstalksofsuchcropsascornorsorghumfromwhichthegrainhasbeenremoved.Atypeofroughage.(6)

Stubble:Thebasalportionofthestemsofherbaceousplantsleftstandingafterharvest.(6)

Supplement:Anutritionaladditive(salt,protein,phosphorus,etc.)intendedtoimprovethenutritionalbalanceandremedydeficienciesofthediet.(6)

SupplementalFeeding:Thepracticeofsupplyingfeedstuffstocorrectnutritionaldeficienciesinananimal’s“natural”diet.

Vegetative:Non-reproductiveplantparts,(leafandstem)incontrasttoreproductiveplantparts(flowerandseed)indevelopmentalstagesofplantgrowth.Thenon-reproductivestageinplantdevelopment.(6)

VegetativeState:Stagepriortotheappearanceoffruitingstructures.(6)

Vitamin:1)n.Anyofvariousorganicsubstancesthatareessentialinminutequantitiestothenutritionofmostanimalsandsomeplantsthatactespeciallyascoenzymesandprecursorsofcoenzymesintheregulationofmetabolicprocesses

6.1REFERENCES

(1).AGACertifiedRuminantStandardsLivestockProgram,2006(2).FeedsandFeeding;ArthurE.Cullison,1979

(3).Cow-CalfManagementGuide,CattleProducer’sLibrary;AgCommunicationsCenter,UniversityofIdaho,

TheFermentationProcessandSilageTroubleshooting,SmallGrainSilageforBeefCattle,Haylage,CornSilage

(4).AGuidetoCerealForageforProfitableDairyManagement;RSI,ResourceSeeds,Inc.1998

(5).Ball,D.M.,C.S.Hoveland,andG.D.Lacefield.2002.P.1-321.SouthernForages,ModernConceptsforForageCropManagement3rd.ed.PotashPhosphateInstitute(PPI)Norcross,GA

(6).Barnes,R.F.,D.A.Miller,andC.J.Nelson.1995.Glossary.P.487-501.InR.F.Barnes,D.A.Miller,and

C.J.Nelson(ed.)Forages,Vol.I,AnIntroductiontoGrasslandAgriculture,5th.ed.IowaStateUniversityPress,Ames,IA.

(7).MerriamWebster’sCollegiateDictionary.TenthEditionisanexcellentsourceforimportantwords,includingbutnotlimitedto:Browse,cereal,crop,dicot,forage,forb,grain,grass,graze,grassland,herb,herbage,herbaceous,monocot,pasture,range,rangeland,seed,silage,etc.

(8).VanSoest,P.J.,1994.NutritionalEcologyoftheRuminant.CornellUniversitypress.Ithaca,NewYork.476pp.

AppendixA

AmericanGrassfedAssociation

AGAGrassfed/GrassPasturedSupplierAffidavit

Supplier Name: ______AGA Membership.#: ______

Farm/Ranchname:______Mailingaddress:______City:______;State:______;ZipCode:______Phone:______;Mobile:______E-mail: ______; Fax: ______

AGA ProducerName: ______AGA Membership#______

Farm/Ranchname:______Mailingaddress:______City:______;State:______;ZipCode:______Phone:______;Mobile:______E-mail: ______; Fax: ______

AnimalDeliveryorTransferDate:______NumberofAnimalsDeliveredorTransferred:______

As a supplier of animals to an AGA producer, this letter serves as documentation that all animals provided to the above AGA producer have been raised in accordance to the AGA Grassfed and/or Grass Pastured Ruminant Program Standards. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the AGA Grassfed and Grass Pastured Ruminant Standards and that these animals listed below comply with said standards.

Signature: ______; Date: ______

AmericanGrassfedAssociation

Livestock Species______

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AppendixB-AGAApprovedGrassfedSupplements

AGASupplementGuidelines:

Note: AGASupplementGuidelinesonlyapplytoAGAgrassfedmarketanimalsanddonotapplytobreedinganimals.Calvesatsideareconsideredincidentalbutmaynotbeexposedtobannedfeedproducts,seeAppendixC.

Consumptionofhay,haylage,balage,silage without grain,forageproducts,cropresiduewithoutgrainandroughagewhileonpastureisnotrestrictedbystandard,3.3.2or3.3.3whichlimitsthedailyandtotalintakeofapprovedsupplements. Commonroughageandforageproductsarelistedbelow:

RoughageProducts:

AGAdefinesroughageproductsasfeedsthatare≥18%crudefiber(CF)and≤70%totaldigestiblenutrients(TDN)onanair-drybasisandarelessthan5.5%crudefat.

CornCobs

CottonseedHullsorCottonseedHullpelletsorcubesCottonGinTrash

PeanutHullsorPeanutHullpelletsorcubes

ForageProducts:

AGAdefinesforageproductsasthoseproductsderivedexclusivelyfromforage,see3.1.2.

AlfalfacubesandpelletsForagecubes

GrasscubesorpelletsHayfromanyforage

Silagefromanyforagewithoutgrain

AGAApprovedSupplementsandIntakeGuidelines:

FeedingofapprovedAGAsupplementsmustfallwithinthe1%lifetimetotalintake standard,3.3.2,aswellandcomplywith3.3.1,feedingtoensureanimal’swell-beingduringperiodsoflowforagequalityandinclementweather.

Whensupplementsareuseditseemslogicalthatthesesupplementsshouldbelookeduponassubstitutesorreplacementsforthepasturethatisnotavailableatthetime. Thus,thesupplementsshouldbenutritionallycomparableinthemajornutrientcontentoftheforagebeingreplaced. Thenutrientsconsideredshouldbeuniformlyavailable(nutritionallyspeaking)andinclude;energy,fiber,starchandprotein. Sincemostpasturegrasses,legumesandmixturescontain20%to30%starchandsugars,itseemsaxiomaticthatsupplementsshouldcontainlevelsofstarchandsugaralongwithahighlevelofhighlydigestiblefiber. Thisrationalisthattheratioofstarch/sugar:fibercontentisanacceptablecriterionforjudgingofsupplementalfeedstuffs. Thegoalofanysupplementationwouldbetonotchangethenutrientprofileoftheproductproduced(e.g.beef,milkcheese).

ThefollowinglistofapprovedsupplementsisnotanexclusivelistbutlistssupplementsthathavebeenapprovedbytheAGAtodate. TheAGACertificationCommitteemayreviewandamendthislistperiodically. SupplementsnotlistedbelowmustbeapprovedinadvancebyAGA’ssupplementscommittee. Supplementsthathaveanadverseeffectonthenutritionalqualityorhavenegativehealthbenefitsontheanimalsfedwillnotbeallowed.

LifetimeIntakeGuidelines:

TheseguidelinesareprovidedasanestimateoftotalintakeforanaverageAGAgrassfedsteerorheifer.

Year1totalintakeof50lbsonadrymatterbasis

Year2totalintakeof80lbsonadrymatterbasisplusyear1.

Year3tolifetimetotalintakeof120lbsonadrymatterbasisplussubsequentyears.

AGAApprovedGrassfedSupplements

AlmondHullsorAlmondHullpelletsorcubesBeetPulp,Dry

CanolaSeed,CanolaMealorCanolaMealpelletsorcubesCoconutMealorCoconutMealpelletsorcubes CottonseedMealorcottonseedpelletsorcubesCottonseedwhole

FlaxSeed,FlaxSeedMealorFlaxSeedpelletsorcubesLinseedMealorLinseedMealpelletsorcubes

MaltSprouts

OatHullsorOatHullPellets

PeanutmealorPeanutMealpelletsorcubesRiceHullsRiceHullPellets

SoybeanHullsorSoybeanHullpelletsorcubes

SoybeanMealorSoybeanMealpelletsorcubesSoybeansExtrudedorExtrudedSoybeanpelletsorcubes

SunflowerSeed,SunflowerMealorSunflowerMealpelletsorcubes

MolassesProducts

Molassesmaybeusedasacarrierinmineralorvitaminblocksandtubs. Itmaybeusedasabinderoringredientinpelletsorcubes.

Anytuborblockthatlistsaprotein%firstonitsguaranteedanalysistagisconsideredtobeaproteintub.Amineralblockortubmusthavetwoofthefirstthreeingredientsontheproductlabellistedasamineralorsourceofamineralandmaynotbeplantproteinorothersourcesofprotein,grain,orprocessedgrainby-products.

AGAGrass-fedmarketanimalscanbesupplementedwithmolasses-basedproteinblocksortubswithatargeteddailyintakeof1-3pounds(chemicallyhardenedorcookedblocks/tubs).Suchblocks/tubsareusedtosupplementlowqualityforagesandmaintainnutrientbalanceinthefinishingdiet. Producersmustreadtheingredientlistingtoensurethatbannedfeedstuffssuchascondensedfermentedcornextractives,corndistillersgrainswithsolubles,corncondenseddistillerssolubles,maizesyrup,animalby-productsorotherprohibitedingredientsarenotcontainedintheblockortub(pleaserefertoAppendixDforacompletelistofbannedfeedstuffs).

Breedinganimalscanbesupplementedwithmolasses-basedproteintubsaslongastheydonotcontainanyprohibitedingredientswhichincludetheexampleslistedpreviouslyunderthefinishinganimalguidelines.

AGAGrass-fedmarketanimalsmayNOTbefedmolassesblocksortubswithatargetintakeofmorethan3pounds(pressedblocks/tubs).

AGAGrass-fedmarketanimalsmayNOTbefedgrainbyproduct-basedproteintubs.

ManufacturedFeedswithoutCompleteIngredientsLists

Manymanufacturedfeedslist“ForageProducts,RoughageProducts,PlantProteinProducts,GrainProductsandProcessedGrainBy-Productsasingredientsinsteadoftheactualingredientused. ManufacturedfeedslistingGrainproductsareprohibitedinAGAgrassfedruminants.

ManufacturedfeedthatlistsForageProducts,RoughageProductsorPlantProteinProductsasaningredientareallowed. Processedgrainby-productsmaynotbelistedasthefirstingredientanditisuptotheproducertoverifythatthesumofthemolassesproductsandprocessedgrainby-productsdonotexceed25%ofthetotalration.

AppendixC-AGAApprovedGrassPasturedandGrassfedDairySupplements

ApprovedSupplementsforGrassPasturedandGrassfedDairy

TheapprovedGrassPasturedandGrassfedDairysupplementslistedbelow,inadditiontothoselistedaboveinAppendixB,mustbefedinaccordancewith3.3.3for Dairyand3.3.4forGrassPastured.Thesupplementsbelowarenotapprovedfor AGAGrassfed.

Brewer’sGrain

Brewer’sCondensedSolDistiller’sGrain

Distiller’sCondensedSol

NOTE: Itisuptotheproducertoverifythattherearenotraceantibioticscontainedinbrewer’sgrainanddistiller’sgrainproductswhichareroutinelyusedtocontrolbacteriainthefermentationprocess.

AppendixD–AGABannedFeedstuffsList

AmericanGrassfedAssociation

AGABannedFeedstuffsList

Thefollowinglistofbannedfeedstuffsisnotanexclusivelist. TheAGACertificationCommitteemayreviewandamendthislistperiodically.

GrainProductsinanyformsuchaswhole,ground,cracked,flakedortoasted. Grainproductsaredefinedas“Seedfromcerealgrain,caryopsis,seeGrain:

Barley,CornOatsRyeRiceTriticaleWheatMillet

Sorghum

Milkreplacercontainingantibiotics,growthpromotersand/oranyanimalby-productsasidefromwheyandotherdairyproducts.

Animalby-products,asidefromwheyandotherdairyproducts.Antibiotics

Hormones