Select well-adapted species and breeds

 

Many organic farmers report switching breeds in conjunction with transitioning to organic. Older dairy breeds such as the Dexter, Dutch Belted and Ayrshire are gaining renewed interest among organic dairy people looking for traits like longevity, hardiness, thriftiness and willingness to graze. Organic pig farmers favor breeds that show good mothering characteristics, and often choose colored breeds for pasture-based systems (since white breeds can suffer from sunburn).
 
Crossbreeding is also popular with organic producers, taking advantage of hybrid vigor. Many an organic herd is made up of a colorful mixture of crossbred Jersey, Brown Swiss, Guernsey and others. Some organic farmers report success importing Holstein semen from New Zealand, where virtually all dairies are grass-based and animals are selected for success on a grass diet.
 
Within most breeds, there will be individuals with the characteristics necessary for sound organic livestock production. The challenge lies in knowing what phenotypic traits to look for. Animal frame size, eating preferences and reproductive traits can all be favored through breed selection. Culling individuals with recurrent problems and selecting individuals that thrive under the conditions you wish to establish will gradually build up the genetics you need.
 

New Farm Profile


If you're adding organic goats to your farm rather than transitioning an existing herd, you'll have to decide ahead of time whether you'd like to use them primarily for milk production or as a meat source, as this will affect your choice of breed.

When Sandra Kay Miller's husband said, “I'm not milking goats,” her response was, "Not a problem." Meat goats aren't bred to be used as dairy animals—think Black Angus versus Jersey cow.
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Elly Hushour prefers Saanens and LaManchas for her dairy. "I picked a breed according to what I like, and the Saanens are it. They're laid back [and] they're good milkers." As for the LaManchas, she says,“They're a little bossy, but they produce milk with a nice butter fat. For people who want ice cream, it's beautiful."
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