Plains
PDF
4888, 4888, OFA_FactSheet OLPS_Y1Q4, OFA_FactSheet-OLPS_Y1Q4.pdf, 8269168, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/OFA_FactSheet-OLPS_Y1Q4.pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/resource/organic-livestock-and-poultry-standards-olps/ofa_factsheet-olps_y1q4/, , 14, , , ofa_factsheet-olps_y1q4, inherit, 4887, 2024-02-15 16:12:13, 2024-02-15 16:12:13, 0, application/pdf, application, pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-includes/images/media/document.png
FACTSHEET
2023
OLPS
ORGANIC LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY STANDARDS (OLPS)
ISSUE OVERVIEW:
NEW REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
New rules for organic livestock and poultry have arrived.
Must monitor and record herd or flock for animals
This addition of animal welfare focused rules to the
suffering lameness and the causes
organic regulations should result in marketplace
Must record all sick and injured animals and their
recognition that organic certification includes humane
treatments
treatment with no need for a secondary humane
Must have a parasite control plan to minimize
certification for organic livestock products.
internal
parasites
in
livestock
(includes
preventative measures, such as fecal monitoring,
PROHIBITED
pasture management and measures to be used in
Physical alterations or activities
case of a parasite outbreak)
De-beaking
Must document weekly ammonia monitoring in
De-snooding
poultry houses
Dubbing (comb removal)
Must document all temporary confinement of
Caponization
poultry
Toe clipping of chickens or turkeys
Must have written plan for prompt, humane
Mulesing of sheep
euthanasia
Forced molting of birds or withdrawal of feed to
disease or injury
induce molting
For transport, must identify all animals as organic,
Total confinement of poultry indoors
and have plan for humane, organic management if
Seriously crippled and non-ambulatory animals being
transport exceeds eight hours
transported for sale or slaughter
Must have an emergency plan to address animal
Tail docking, wattling and face branding of cattle
welfare problems during transport
Gestation or farrowing crates for swine
Flat decks or piglet cages
ALLOWED
Physical alterations (only within these parameters)
Beak trimming before 10 days of age
Sheep tail docking no shorter than the distal end of the
caudal fold
No routine needle teeth clipping or tail docking of
piglets
Note: All organic operations need to meet these rules on Jan. 2, 2025
with few exceptions that can be found on the last page.
for
animals
suffering
irreversible
ORGANIC LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY STANDARDS (OLPS)
MAMMAL LIVING CONDITIONS
FEED
Adult and young stock: Sufficient space to lie down,
Milk from animals undergoing treatment with synthetic
turn around, stand and stretch, with bedding so
items allowed in the organic regulations with a
animals are clean, dry and free of lesions
withdrawal time, cannot be sold as organic. The milk can
Dairy young stock: Can be housed in individual pens
be fed to calves on that operation and those calves
until completion of weaning process; each animal
maintain their organic status.
must see, smell and hear other animals
Swine must be group housed except during
TRANSPORTATION & SLAUGHTER
farrowing and suckling or if there are multiple
Calves must have a dry navel cord and walk without
documented instances of aggression, or recovery
human assistance during transport or sale
from illness
Transportation must have appropriate bedding
Rooting materials must be provided for swine
(except poultry), ventilation, arrangements for water
Outdoor space must be provided year-round, and
and organic feed if transport exceeds 12 hours
when soil is required for that species vegetative
For all species, must meet humane handling and
cover must be maintained appropriate to the season,
slaughter requirements of the U.S. code
climate, geography, livestock species, and stage of
If poultry slaughter entity is exempt from Poultry
production
Products Inspection Act (slaughter under 1000 birds
TEMPORARY CONFINEMENT
OF MAMMALS
Only long enough to perform natural or artificial
insemination
Not allowed to be confined to observe estrus or
after breeding to confirm pregnancy
they produced per year), they still must not shackle
or hang lame birds by their legs, birds must be
stunned prior to exsanguination (with exception for
religious slaughter) and all birds must be irreversibly
insensible before entering the scalding tank
ORGANIC LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY STANDARDS (OLPS)
LIVING CONDITIONS FOR AVIAN
SPECIES
INDOOR HOUSING
Physical alterations or activities
stretching and other natural behaviors and:
Must have indoor areas that allow for scratching and
Must be sufficiently spacious to allow for wing
Year-round access to the outdoors is required, except
birds can be temporarily denied access to the outdoors:
dust bathing
When outdoor air temperatures are under 32 °F
Dry litter must be provided and maintained
and over 90° F
Six inches of perch space for each bird. (floors in
Broilers for the first four weeks of life
slatted/mesh floor housing can’t be counted)
Pullets for the first 16 weeks of life
Houses with slatted/mesh floors must have 15%
All other species of birds temporarily until fully
minimum solid floor area with litter for dust bathing
feathered
Ammonia monitored weekly at the height of the
When the health, safety or well-being of the
birds’ heads, must be below 20 PPM. 25 PPM
animal could be jeopardized as well as risk to soil
ammonia prohibited
or water quality
Can provide up to 16 hours of continuous light, must
For
sorting
and
shipping,
treatment
of
be lowered gradually to encourage birds to settle for
illness/injury
the night
For nest box training, but shall not be confined
Artificial light spectrum may not be manipulated to
longer than needed and must not exceed more
increase feed intake or growth rate
than five weeks over the life of the bird
Porches cannot be considered part of the indoor
Cannot confine poultry indoors when re-seeding
stocking density square footage unless the birds
outdoor access areas
have access at all times including when temporarily
OUTDOOR AREAS
Porches are not part of the outdoor
stocking density square footage unless the
birds can freely access the other outdoor
areas and the porches do not have any
walls or screens
Must have 1 linear foot of exit area per
360 birds, or prove that all birds have
ready access to the outdoors
Birds must be encouraged at an early age,
and be trained, to go outdoors. Shade may
be provided
At least 75% of the outdoor space must be
soil and must include vegetative cover
appropriate for the season, climate,
geography and species
confined indoors
ORGANIC LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY STANDARDS (OLPS)
STOCKING DENSITIES FOR POULTRY
Indoor stocking densities for poultry
Mobile housing
Not to exceed 4.5 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 1.5 sq ft per bird
Aviary housing
Not to exceed 4.5 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 1.5 sq ft per bird
Slatted/mesh floor housing
Not to exceed 3.75 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 1.8 sq ft per bird
Floor litter housing
Not to exceed 3.0 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 2.2 sq ft per bird
Other housing
Not to exceed 2.25 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 3.0 sq ft per bird
Pullet housing
Not to exceed 3.0 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 1.7 sq ft per bird
Broiler housing
Not to exceed 5 pounds of bird weight per sq ft or at least 2.0 sq ft per bird
Outdoor stocking densities for poultry
Laying hens
No less than one sq ft per 2.25 pounds of bird or 3 sq ft per bird
Pullets
No less than one sq ft per 3 pounds of bird or 1.7 sq ft per bird
Broilers
No less than one sq ft per 5 pounds of bird or 2 sq ft per bird
IMPLEMENTATION:
These rules will need to be followed by all certified
organic operations on January 2, 2025 except:
Laying and broiler operations certified before
Need More Info?
Contact the Farmers Services Team at the
Organic Farmers Association
January 2024 have until January 2, 2029 to meet the
outdoor access, exit door, soil with vegetation and
outdoor stocking density requirements.
Broiler operations certified before January 2024
Farmer HelpLine:
(833) 724-3834
helpline@organicfarmersassociation.org
have until January 2, 2029, to meet the indoor
stocking density rules.
PO Box 709 . Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360 . Info@OrganicFarmersAssociation.org
www.OrganicFarmersAssociation.org