Agricultural Marketing Service
   
 
Grading Certification and Verification
 
Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standards  
Claim and Standard:

 
Grass (Forage) FedGrass and forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. The diet shall be derived solely from forage consisting of grass (annual and perennial), forbs (e.g., legumes, Brassica), browse, or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state. Animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season. Hay, haylage, baleage, silage, crop residue without grain, and other roughage sources may also be included as acceptable feed sources. Routine mineral and vitamin supplementation may also be included in the feeding regimen. If incidental supplementation occurs due to inadvertent exposure to non-forage feedstuffs or to ensure the animal’s well being at all times during adverse environmental or physical conditions, the producer must fully document (e.g., receipts, ingredients, and tear tags) the supplementation that occurs including the amount, the frequency, and the supplements provided.

 

 

 
News
 
  May 11, 2006 -- USDA Proposes Grass (Forage) Fed Marketing Claim Standard  
 
Rules and Notices
 
  Notice - US Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims, Grass (Forage) Fed Claim PDF  
 
  Notice and request for comments -- US Standard - Livestock and Meat Marketing Claim Grass Claim -PDF  
 
  Comments  
 
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  Last Modified Date: 09/29/2008