Please Fill out This Questionnaire If You Are Requesting Organic Dairy Certification

Please fill out this questionnaire if you are requesting organic dairy certification. Submit farm, pasture, and livestock facility maps as well as other supporting documents (documentation for pastures owned or rented for less than three years, feed and supplement product labels, etc.) outlined in this questionnaire. Use additional sheets as necessary.

SECTION 1: General Information / NOP Rule §205.401
Applicant (Name/Company): / FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Applicant No: / Contact Person: / Check #:
Address: / Amount:
DR #:
City: / State: / Zip code: / Initials:
Phone: / Cell: / Late Fees:
Fax: / Email: / Other:
Legal Status Corporation Legal partnership Sole proprietorship
Trust or non-profit Other (specify)
Year first certified organic: / List previous organic certification: / List current organic certification:
Has certification ever been denied, suspended or revoked?
If yes, describe the circumstance & attach documentation: / Yes / No
List all noncompliance issues from last year’s certification and state how they have been addressed. / Not applicable
Do you have access to a current copy of MCIA’s Organic Handbook? / Yes / No
Do you have access to a current copy of the NOP standards? / Yes / No
Preferred time for inspection: / AM / PM
Give directions to farm:
SECTION 2: Livestock Origin Information / NOP Rule §205.236
NOP §206.236 The NOP requires that organic milk and milk products come from animals under continuous organic management. This begins no later than 1 year prior to organic milk production for a one-time herd transition, and once an entire distinct herd has been converted to organic management, all animals must be under organic management from the last third of gestation. Once an organic animal is removed from an organic system, she is no longer eligible for organic production. Records must be maintained preserving the identity of all organic animals in your operation.

2.1What type of animals do you milk? Cow Goat Sheep Other (specify) :

If you have more than one species, please contact MCIA for further instruction.

2.2What breed(s) are in your herd?

2.3On average, how many animals are you milking?

Please complete the breakdown for your current dairy herd. Enter numbers of animals in the table below:

Class / Request for Organic Certification / Eligible for organic slaughter / Managed conventionally
Mature Females:
Milking
Mature Females:
Dry
Young Stock:
Breeding Age
Young Stock:
Unbred
Young Stock:
Calves/kids/lambs
Males:
Breeding/Meat/Cull
Other:
Total in Herd

2.4You must have a system for permanently identifying animals using tags, tattoos, neck chains or collars with tags, photographs, or other approved system. Non-durable systems must be backed up by a second form of identification (plastic ear tags, PLUS registrations OR neck chains PLUS photos).

How are animals identified? ear tags tattoos collars photos or drawings

branding ear notches Other (specify):

2.5Do you purchase any livestock? Yes No

List last year’s acquisitions of livestock (use additional sheet(s) if necessary).

Describe & Identify Animal / Date of Acquisition / Source/Farm / Certified Organic by Whom? / Organic for slaughter?*

* Organic slaughter stock must be managed organically from the last third of gestation. Transitioned animals are not eligible for organic meat. Animals treated with a synthetic parasiticide are not eligible for organic meat. In order to certify dairy herd for slaughter, you will need to have records to account for these conditions.

2.6Do you raise dairy replacement animals on-farm? Yes No

If someone is raising replacement animals for you, they must be certified organic. Please list their name(s) and address(es):

NameAddressPhone

Name AddressPhone

2.7Do you raise any slaughter animals on-farm? Yes No

If No, how are they sold?

2.8List the animals leaving the herd over the past year: culls, deaths, sales for replacements, slaughter, and any other reason animals left your herd (use additional sheet(s) if necessary).

Describe & Identify Animal / Date of Departure / Reason for leaving / Sold as Organic?
SECTION 3: Pasture Plan and Grazing Management / NOP Rule §205.240
NOP §205.240 The producer of an organic livestock operation must, for all ruminant livestock on the operation, demonstrate through auditable records in the organic system plan, a functioning plan for pasture. Pasture must be managed to comply with the requirements to supply a minimum of 30 percent of a ruminants dry matter intake (DMI) on average, over the course of the grazing season, to minimize the occurrence and spread of diseases and parasites, and refrain from putting soil or water quality at risk.

3.1Please attach a Pasture Map, which clearly illustrates the following:

Location and size of each pasture in acres
Permanent fences
Laneways and outdoor access areas
Access to shade
Location and source of drinking water
Protected environment resources, if applicable

3.2(a)What cultural and management practices do you use to increase your pasture productivity, improve pasture quality, and extend the grazing season? Please check all that apply:

Pasture soil testingFertility inputs/spreading manure

pH adjustmentsClipping weeds

Controlled access/avoiding overgrazingStockpiling fall pasture

Irrigation

Annual grazing season extension crops (warm season grasses, brassicas. Etc)

Other:

(b)Describe your soil fertility management and methods for pasture.

3.3What is the length of the grazing season at your farm’s location?

Please describe a typical grazing season for each management group.

(a)Animals milking:Grazing Season: Dates (begin), through (end)

Animals dry:Grazing Season: Dates(begin), through (end)

Breeding age:Grazing Season: Dates (begin), through (end)

Young stock:Grazing Season: Dates (begin), through (end)

Other: Grazing Season: Dates (begin), through (end)

(b)Do you have any breaks in a typical grazing season (animals are not on pasture):

Dates(begin), through (end) Reason:

Dates (begin), through (end) Reason:

3.4Grazing Methods Used in Your Pasture System

(a)Permanent Pasture – Please put the correct acreage for each type of management and add up your TOTAL PERMANENT PASTURE ACREAGE at the bottom of the chart. This chart is for your land that is only used for grazing.

Type of management / Acres / Species composition / Animal group / # Head/
group
EXAMPLE:
Continuous grazing/one open pasture / 38 / Native grass-clover mix, brush, hardwoods / Dry cows, bred heifers / 26
Management intensive grazing
Rotational grazing
Occasional grazing
Continuous grazing/one open pasture
Day & Night pastures
Strip grazing
Annual pasture season
Extension crops (basics, etc)
Other:
Other:
TOTAL ACRES:
(All your permanent pasture land)

(b)How long are animals in a paddock before moving them to fresh pasture?

(c)What is the rest period for pasture between grazings? Include seasonal variations.

(d)What kinds of conventional animals share the organic pasture described here? How many head?

(e)Other comments about your pasture system:

(f)Grazing cropland. Please fill out this chart with acres you would use in a typical grazing season (not an extreme year).

Type of crop land / Number of acres / Approximate dates / Animal groups
Early season grazing hay land after 1st cut
Late season grazing hay land after 2nd or 3rd cut
Grazing crop residue
Crop:
Other:

(g)How many additional acres of cropland could you potentially graze, if needed, to bring up the % DMI from pasture?

(h) Do you graze or board animals on another producer’s farm (custom boarding/grazing)? Yes No

Producer’s name:

Name of Farm:

Animal group grazing there:# of Head:

Is this farm part of your OSP? Yes No

If not, have you obtained an organic certificate for the pasture on that farm? Yes No

3.5(a)What drinking water sources are used during the grazing season? Check all that apply.

On-site well

Water tubs in pastures

Water tubs in barn and barnyard

Farm ponds

Other:

(b)What is the date for last water test for coliform bacteria, salmonella and nitrates?

(c)If there are natural water bodies, wetlands, or riparian areas adjacent to grazing land, how do you prevent soil erosion, contamination or damage?

3.6Please describe access to shade for grazing animals (include frequency).

3.7 Outdoor access to pasture. On average how many hours per day are animals outdoors?

(If it varies among different age groups, please list separately in the table below:

Groups of Animals / Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter
SECTION 4: Livestock Feed / NOP Rule §205.237
NOP §205.237 NOP Rule requires the feed ration of organic livestock be composed of agricultural products that are organically produced and if applicable, organically handled. The producer must not use a) animal drugs including hormones to promote growth, b) fee supplements or additives in amounts above those required for adequate nutrition of the species, c) plastic pellets for roughage, d) urea or manure, e) mammalian or poultry byproducts to mammals or poultry, and f) feed, feed additives, and feed supplements in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The NOP requires 100% organic feed. Antibiotics and ionophores are not allowed in organic feeds. During the grazing season, you must manage your pasture as a crop that provides at least 30% of the dry matter intake (DMI) for all age groups 6 months and older. The grazing season must be typical in length for your geographic area, and must be at least 120 days. Feeding records must be available for the inspector.

If you harvest any crops in addition to the hay/grass from your pastures, you must complete a producer application. Contact MCIA for more information.

4.1Do you harvest any hay/grass from pasture? Yes No

4.2Itemize below the total of each ORGANIC FEED PRODUCED ON YOUR OWN FARM over the past 12 months. Please attach additional sheet(s) if necessary.

Crop
(Corn silage, grain, dry hay, baleage, grass silage) / Acreage / Number of harvests / Total number
and/or weight
(i.e: 200 round bales at 500 lb each OR 276 tons, OR 5,000 lbs) / Estimated Dry Matter (DM) content
(Your forage test results, MCIA values or your own best estimate)

4.3Do you process (mix, grind, roast, extrude, etc.) any feed on-farm? Yes No

Is the equipment also used to process conventional products? Yes No

If yes, how is the equipment cleaned prior to processing organic feed?

4.4 List below the ORGANIC FEEDS PURCHASED over the past 12 months. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary.

Type of forage or grain crop / Source / Certified organic by whom? / Total number and/or weight
(i.e: 200 round bales at 500 lb each OR 276 tons, OR 5,000 lbs)

4.5What is your plan for obtaining emergency feed supplies?

4.6Describe your feed storage locations:

Type of Feed / Type of Storage / Capacity / Location / Org (O) Tran (T) Conv (C)

4.7How do you control rodents in organic feed storage?

4.8List all feed supplement and additives, including silage inoculants and preservatives. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary.

Feed Supplement/Additive / Source / Synthetic (Yes or No) / Reason for Use

4.9(a)How much milk do you feed calves / kids / lambs?

(b)Where do you obtain the milk?

(c)At what age do you wean them?

Feed Rations for Ruminant Livestock
Producers of organic ruminant livestock are required to provide a full description of feed rations and calculations of how much of the ration is provided by pasture during the grazing season. The charts below can be used to provide this information. You may use an alternative method, such as the forms and resources on the NOP website, but you must specify the source.
In the reference tables below you will find 1) dry matter contents for most feeds, 2) dry matter demand for lactating cows based on size and quantity of milk produced, and 3) dry matter demand for other groups of dairy animals. Using the information in the tables below, complete the Ration and Pasture Calculation charts for each classof animals (listed in Section 2) on your farm that is fed a separate ration.If you have % DM from feed testing, or another source, use those numbers in your calculations and submit the supporting documentation. Make as many copies of the worksheets as you need.
Percentage Dry Matter (%DM)
of common feeds
Hay (dry, both legume and grass)= 89%
Green Chop (any green chopped forage)= 20%
Haylage (any chopped forage except corn)= 35%
Baleage (any baled and wrapped forage)= 60%
Corn silage= 35%
High moisture corn= 76%
Grain (dry corn, beans, small grains)= 89%
Ruminant Groups: Dry Matter Demand as a percentage of body weight
Dry dairy cows / 1.8%
Bred dairy heifers
(14-24 months) / 2.5%
Unbred dairy heifers
(6-14 months) / 2.5%
Sheep
(brood or milking animals) / 3.65%
Sheep(weaned, slaughter or replacement stock) / 3.3%
Goats
(brood or milking animals) / 4%
Goats (weaned, slaughter or replacement stock) / 2.25%
Dairy Cows Dry Matter Demand (DMD)
Average Milk Per Day / Small Breed (<900-1200#) DMD / Large Breed (1200-1400#+) DMD
10# / 21# / 27#
15# / 23# / 28#
20# / 24# / 30#
25# / 26# / 31#
30# / 28# / 33#
35# / 30# / 34#
40# / 31# / 36#
45# / 33# / 37#
50# / 35# / 39#
55# / 36# / 40#
60# / 38# / 42#
65# / 40# / 43#
70# / 42# / 45#
75# / 43# / 46#
80# / 45# / 48#
RATIONS AND PASTURE CALCULATIONS FOR LACTATING COWS

DRY MATTER DEMAND (DMD)

Number of Cows in this Group / Average Weight Per Cow / Average Milk Per Day Per Cow in Pounds / DMD From Dairy Cows Dry Matter Demand Chart
(A)

WINTER NON-GRAZING SEASON FEED RATION

SUMMER GRAZING SEASON FEED RATION

Feed Types – List All / % DM / Lbs fed / DMI fed / Feed Types – List All / % DM / Lbs fed / DMI fed
Example: Corn silage / 35% (.35) / x / 10 # / = / 3.5# / Example: Dry corn / 89% (.89) / x / 15 # / = / 13.35#
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
TOTAL DM FED / (B) / TOTAL DM FED / (C)

PASTURE CALCULATION

minus= divided by = x 100 = %
DMDTotal DM FedPasture DMDMDDM % from
(from A)(from C)Fed(from A)pasture
RATIONS AND PASTURE CALCULATION FOR ADDITIONAL GROUP

DRY MATTER DEMAND (DMD)

Find the DMD as % of average body weight. Average weight x % (move decimal to the left two digits) = Dry Matter Demand
Which Group? / Number of Animals in this Group / Average Weight Per Animal / DMD as % of Body Weight From Ruminant Groups Chart / Dry Matter Demand
(A)

WINTER NON-GRAZING SEASON FEED RATION

SUMMER GRAZING SEASON FEED RATION

PASTURE CALCULATION

minus= divided by = x 100 = %
DMDTotal DM FedPasture DMDMDDM % from
(from A)(from C)Fed(from A)pasture
RATIONS AND PASTURE CALCULATION FOR ADDITIONAL GROUP

DRY MATTER DEMAND (DMD)

WINTER NON-GRAZING SEASON FEED RATION

SUMMER GRAZING SEASON FEED RATION

Feed Types – List All / % DM / Lbs fed / DMI fed / Feed Types – List All / % DM / Lbs fed / DMI fed
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
x / = / x / =
TOTAL DM FED / (B) / TOTAL DM FED / (C)

PASTURE CALCULATION

minus= divided by = x 100 = %
DMDTotal DM FedPasture DMDMDDM % from
(from A)(from C)Fed(from A)pasture
Transitional or Split Operation / NOP Rule §205.236(a)(2), §205.272 §205.236(a)(2§205.236 §205.236
NOP §205.236(a)(2) Crops and forage from land, included in an Organic System Plan of a dairy farm that is in its third year of transition, may be consumed by the dairy animals of the farm during the 12-month period immediately prior to the sale of organic milk and milk products.
NOP §205.272 You must prevent the commingling or organic and nonorganic product and protect organic products form contact with prohibited substances.

Transitional Operation

4.12Will livestock be fed third year transitional crops/forage included in the organic system plan of a dairy during the 12 months of management prior to milk and milk products being sold as organic? Yes No

If yes, when did you begin feeding third year transitional feed?

What dates did you begin (or plan to begin) feeding 100% organic feed?

What dates did you begin (or plan to begin) selling milk as organic?

Split Operation

4.13If there are non-organic animals on the farm, explain what measures are taken to ensure segregation.

4.14Please explain how organic and non-organic feeds are kept separate?

4.15How is equipment cleaned that is used for both organic and non-organic animals or animal products?

SECTION 5: Health Care Practices / NOP Rule §205.238
NOP §205.238 The NOP rule requires that producers must establish and maintain preventative livestock health care practices. When preventative and veterinary biologics are inadequate synthetic medications may be administered provided they are allowed under 205.603. The producers of an organic livestock operation must not withhold medical treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve its organic status. All appropriate medications must be used to restore an animal to health when methods acceptable to organic production fail. Livestock treated with a prohibited substance must be clearly identified and shall not be sold, labeled, or represented as organic. All medical records and vet records (dosages, dates, etc.) must be available for inspection.

5.1Many practices contribute to the health, wellbeing and productivity of your herd. Check all that apply to your operation and add any other practices that you use but are not listed. Add additional comments about your approach to herd management below.

Selective breeding / Access to outdoors / Herbal remedies
Raise own replacements / Pasture rotation / Preventative strategies
Isolation for sick or new animals / Clean bedding / Periodic fecal examinations
Vaccinations / Ventilation / Dusting wallows
Homeopathic remedies / Culling / Other:
Nutritional supplements / Probiotics / Other:
Good sanitation / Regular veterinary care

5.2Describe internal and external parasite control on your farm. Include methods used both to prevent and reduce infestations.