Livestock

Dual Production

Dual production is used to describe agricultural enterprises that raise their animals using two different types of conflicting systems. A dual production farm or business raises some of its animals conventionally (prioritizing industry and output) and others humanely (prioritizing animal welfare).

Corn-Fed

Corn-fed beef comes from cattle that were fed corn rather than forage material. This grain-based diet is difficult for a cow’s digestive system to process and often requires regular doses of antibiotics to keep herds healthy.

Certified Humane®, Humane Farm Animal Care

The Certified Humane® label is awarded to animal products from farms and ranches that meet the standards written by Humane Farm Animal Care, a national non-profit. The Humane Farm Animal Care standards recognize that species- and age-appropriate living conditions and feed contribute to healthier, more comfortable animals. Farm animals also must have enough space to lie down, stand and move about freely. Feed, water and air must meet quality standards and be freely available to all animals. Use of antibiotics is only permissible if the animals are ill and if the drugs are prescribed by a veterinarian to treat the disease. The standards used for determining eligibility for this certification have been broken down by individual animal species and are based on the guidelines of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Caged Culture

In a caged culture, a type of aquaculture, fish are raised in an enclosed cage that is fixed in an existing body of water, such as a lake, bay or river. Cages vary in size and are typically constructed of metal, bamboo or wood. Production yields may be comparable or slightly higher than those of pond cultures.

Cage-Free

Cage-free indicates that a source animal has not been confined to cages, and typically refers to birds used for egg production or meat (non-confined generally refers to larger livestock animals). This label does not indicate whether birds have spent time outdoors or how much space they were allowed. This term is not third-party certified or government-regulated and may therefore be unreliable.

CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation)

According to the EPA, a CAFO is defined as an operation where a certain large number of animals (specific size depends on the species) are kept in a confined area without any vegetation for at least 45 days in a 12-month period. Depending on the size of the operation, animals in a CAFO may come into contact with manure, wastewater, surface water, urine and dead animals. This is a common practice in industrial agriculture. A CAFO is also known as a factory farm.

Bob Veal

Bob veal is meat that has been taken from a calf slaughtered before it is a month old, with an average weight of 150 pounds. These animals are called bob calves. Use of the term bob veal to describe meat products is regulated by the USDA.

Antibiotic-Free

Antibiotic-free is also known as “raised without antibiotics” or “no antibiotics administered.” Meat and poultry products bearing this label notify the buyer that the animals were not administered sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics. Antibiotics may have been administered in the case of illness, however, no antibiotics can be present in the animal’s system at the time of slaughter or laying. Since this label is applied by the producer and not verified by a third-party, it can be an unreliable indication of antibiotic presence in animal products.

American Grassfed Certified, American Grassfed Association (AGA)

American Grassfed Certified is a non-governmental certification system for meat from animals raised on a grass-based diet. Animals certified by the American Grassfed Association only consume forage from the time they are weaned, and they cannot be fed grains or grain by-products. Certified animals are never treated with hormones or antibiotics, and sick animals that require antibiotics for treatment become ineligible for certification. Animals must also be treated humanely for the duration of their lives. Furthermore, they cannot be confined for more than 30 days per calendar year, and they must have unfettered access to pasture. AGA Certification is based on independent, third-party farm audits conducted by Animal Welfare Approved.

American Humane Certified, American Humane Association

The American Humane Certified program provides third-party, independent verification that a producer’s care and handling of farm animals meets the science-based animal welfare standards of the American Humane Association. These standards stipulate that livestock be raised under humane conditions in an environment that limits stress, and must include the provision of fresh water, a healthy diet, sufficient space, proper facilities, shelter, a resting area and the company of the animals' own kind.

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