Organic farmers tend to rear their beef cattle as suckler herds. This is where a cow suckles its calf until it is weaned at around nine months of age, then fattened. The cattle are usually kept in family groups up to weaning. This means they can follow their natural herding instincts and reduce stress.

Housing

An organic beef system allows cows and their calves to graze pasture for most of their lives. They fattening process can be completed in well-bedded spacious yards, providing this period does not exceed a fifth of their lifetime. Organic cattle do not have to be housed during the winter, but if they are kept outside, there must be shelter, food and water.

Feed

As with organic dairy cows at least 60% of the cows' diet must consist of fodder, roughage or silage. Intestinal worms are a common problem in all cattle and can be avoided on organic farms by rotating the pastures and also allowing the calves to develop a natural immunity from their mothers. Rotating pastures means moving animals to different fields on the farm so that worms or disease problems do not build up on one particular field or area.

The Soil Association believes that the natural health and vitality of farm livestock is based on sound nutrition from before conception and throughout life. So organically grown feedstuffs form the basis of the diet. Organic cows are fed mainly on clover-rich grass and must be allowed to graze fresh forage throughout the grazing season. Organic beef cattle are fed a minimum of 60% forage and a maximum of 40% concentrates. Non-organic beef cattle are fed a much higher percentage of concentrate.

Because of organic feed shortages and for a transitional period, the use of a limited amount of non-organic feedstuffs has been authorised. This is only permitted in those cases where the organic farmer is unable to obtain organic feed. The maximum amount of non-organic feed that can be given is 5% annually. We will be working with the other UK bodies to agree a decrease in these percentages in order to achieve 100% organic feed as soon as possible.

Labelling

The Beef Labelling Scheme ensures the verification of any information put onto packs of beef. Beef that is labelled free range, grass fed or, of course, organic will come from welfare-friendly systems. If nothing is specified on the label of the beef you buy about the system of production, then there is no way of knowing whether or not it has come from an intensive 'bull-beef' system.

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This document is not to be used by Soil Association licensees as a substitute for the Soil Association organic standards. The standards are available to buy for £30. To order a copy please call 0117 914 2406, or email goorganic@soilassociation.org.