Organic livestock products, including dairy, meat, and eggs, consititute one of the fastest growing sectors of the organic market. At present, little organic livestock research has been conducted at any land grant university in the United States. While not strictly organic, the University of Minnesota has conducted research on rotational grazing and cross-breeding for dairy production, alternative hog systems with deep straw bedding, and alternatives to synthetic methionine for organic poultry rations. The University has also worked with organic producers to analyze the profitability of organic hog rations. The University works with producers who are interested in on-farm research of organic livestock production, and is exploring opportunities to conduct organic livestock research on University sites.

Issues that will certainly be explored in the future include alternative rations, breeding, prevention and treatment of mastitis without antibiotics, approved medications, nutitional value of organic livestock products, parasite and fly management, distribution channels for organic livestock products, composting and manure management and organic livestock profitability.

RECENT RESEARCH REPORTS:

Organic Poultry Research Summary (05) (pdf)

Livestock Research Survey (04) (pdf)