USDA Organic Meat

• Yoder cattle are U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certified. This means the meat is licensed and certified to meet all USDA standards for organic beef. USDA organic standards include prohibiting the use of genetically modified cattle, not exposing the cattle to sewage, not allowing antibiotics and requiring 100 percent organic feed. The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) governs the certification and processing of organic meat. Yoder cattle have been raised and processed using organic methods since 2005.
  
  

Corn Fed vs. Grass Fed

• Yoder cattle can be raised as either grass-fed or corn-fed beef. Grass-fed cows are allowed to eat grass on the pasture. Cows raised on a pasture with a grass diet generally produce beef that contains less fat, less saturated fat, fewer calories per serving and less cholesterol. Grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin C. Corn-fed Yoder cattle are fed a vegetarian diet, mostly consisting of corn. Since corn-fed cattle are also organic, that means the feed is 100 percent organic and contains no animal or meat byproducts.
  
  

Pasture Rotation

• The National Organic Program requires 100 percent organic feed and encourages farmers to raise their cattle on an open pasture. Farmers raise grass-fed Yoder cattle on an open pasture. In order to sustain the fields, farmers rotate the herd through different sections of the field periodically. This lets the grass grow before the cattle come back. The cattle also supply a natural fertilizer to the grass to help it grow back.
  
  

Challenges with Organic Regulations

• The National Organic Program has many benefits. It encourages healthier farming practices, allows for more sustainable food and usually yields tastier meat and produce. Unfortunately, Yoder cattle ranches have faced some difficulties from these organic regulations. Because farmers are encouraged to use pasture-raising methods, the cattle spend most of their time outdoors. During particularly rainy seasons, the cattle can develop lungworm issues. The parasites can cause the cattle to cough and have difficulty breathing. This leads to less milk production and less healthy meat. Yoder cattle are among the healthiest in the country most years, but during rainy seasons, the lungworm issues are detrimental.