Are you aware of all the differences between conventional and organic cow farming? After reading this article, you will have no doubt that it is worth looking for products with the EU green leaf logo. We explain what organic cow farming in the EU really looks like and how it puts qualityover quantity.
If you make a comparison between conventional and organic farms, you will see that these two systems of animal breeding lie at opposite poles. Conventional production is all about intensification and achieving maximum profits, and this does not necessarily meet the needs of people who want to consciously buy quality and safe food.
Organic farmers operate quite differently. For them, productquality and environmental protection are more important than quantity. True, raising livestock organically is more labor-intensive, but it maintains high standards and relies on natural substances and processes, which you will read about below. [1]
The purpose of organic farms raising cows is to providetasty and safe food, while managing natural resources wisely. This excludes the use of fertilizers, pesticides, additives, enhancers or medicinal products in away that could harm the welfare of the animals and the quality of animal products. [2]
However, there is more to organic farming than prohibitions. If you read the descriptions of certified farms, you will encounter are quirement to take care of animal welfare. This means a change in the way the whole process is viewed. EU farmers do not treat animals as an "object of production," which is often the case with conventional farming. On the opposite, they respect and care for their animals, providing them with proper living conditions and paying attention to proper nutrition. Read on to find outhow they do it.
Detailed EU regulations deal with seemingly minor matters, but which have a huge impact on the lives of calves and cows. Animals are provided with comfortable, clean, dry lying areas lined with bedding made of natural material, adequate lighting, temperature, ventilation, and constant access to outdoor areas, including high-quality pasture, weather permitting. [3]
Herds on organic farms are therefore free to exhibit natural behavior, are free from hunger, thirst and suffering, and the use of tethering - unless the animal is sick - is prohibited. [4]
Proper nutrition is another fundamental issue. The Union requires farmers to meet a number of conditions. On certified farms, animals are fed non-GMO organic feed, the composition and form of which are tailored to the needs of a particular breed. [5]
It is a high-quality feed - at least 60% of the ration must be rough age, green fodder, dried fodder or silage, which allows the animals to develop properly. [6]
When buying and dosing feed, the farmer must take into account the age, physiological state, health and condition of the herd. Force-feeding animals is categorically prohibited, as is the use of growth promoters and synthetic amino acids that are harmful to cows and calves. [7]
The sustainable system of organic farming brings numerous benefits to farmers. Their products are appreciated for their high quality and are eagerly purchased. However, the work of organic farms is primarily for your benefit, as it provides safe and tasty food that you can enjoy every day.
The EU green leaf symbol, placed on organic products, provest hat the product comes from a farm that adheres to the high standards described in this article. We hope that the next time there is food with this label in your shopping cart!
Sources:
[1] B. M. Wawrzyniak, Charakterystyka gospodarstw ekologicznych funkcjonujących w Unii Europejskiej,
Zagadnienia Doradztwa Rolniczego, no. 1/2019, p. 105.
[2] Ibidem, p.104-105.
[3] Ibidem, p. 19.
[4] A. Litwinow, Ekologiczny chów zwierząt w świetle nowych przepisów prawnych, Radom 2020, p. 16.
[5] Ibidem, p. 13.
[6] Ibidem, p. 20.
[7] Ibidem.
