EDUCATION & OUTREACH RESULTS

Organic Dairy Farming: A Resource for Farmers

Investigator: Lamar Janes, Community Conservation, Inc., Gays Mills, WI
Stakeholders: Organic dairy farmers and those interested in transitioning to organic practices

OFRF funding for this project was awarded in Spring 2004.

Project links: Complete project report (5 pp) submitted by Lamar Janes.

Summary
The purpose of the Organic Dairy Farming Education Project was to produce and distribute a comprehensive book on organic dairy farming, utilizing the expertise of a variety of knowledgeable persons within the organic field.

In 2003 there was no current comprehensive publication available to farmers describing the practices of organic dairy farming. With the recent and probable future increase in the organic dairy market, a single book covering all aspects and targeted to new and transitioning organic dairy farmers was needed.

We hoped to publish and market an approximately 160-page paperback at a reasonable price.

In 2006, the book was published, and over 5,500 copies were printed. Book chapters and contents include:

I. Introduction and History

• Definitions of organic
  
• Growth of organics
  
• Why do farmers choose organic farming?

II. Organic Certification

• Why certify
  
• The certification process
  
• Brief overview of material and practices allowed in organic dairying
  
• Conversion from conventional dairy: Issues
  
• Certification resources

III. A Biological Approach to Soil Health

• Bio-logical soil balancing
• Soil Testing and interpreting lab results
• Organic Matter Management

IV. Organic Cropping Systems

• Rotation strategies
  
• Pest (insect, disease, weed, fungus) control

V. Pasture Management

• Understanding Pastures
  
• Managed Rotational Grazing

VI. Dairy Nutrition Management

VII. Basic Herd Health

• General issues
• The immune system
• Making genetic choices

VIII. Calves and Calf Care

• Breeding Selection
• Calving area
• Navel care
  
• Nutritional care: Colostrum and feed
  
• Marketing and transportation

IX. Dry and Lactating Cow Management 

X. Milk Quality 

XI.Biosecurity, Handling and Transportation

• Biosecurity issues
  
• Animal Handling
  
• Transportation
  
• On farm euthanasia

XII. Marketing

• The Consumer Connection
  
• Price Sustainability and Supply Management
  
• Cooperatives and Marketing Associations
  
• Self-marketing organic dairy products
  
• On farm processing
  
• Raw Milk
  
• Resources

XIII.  Resources

• ATTRA materials
  
• Rule excerpts
  
• Book Recommendations

A final report describing the results of this project was submitted in April 2006.