Organic Crop–Livestock Systems

Crop–livestock integration involves more than raising both crops and livestock on the same farm. Common organic crop–livestock systems in North America are beef–forage–grain and dairy–forage–grain. Grazing management based on knowledge of climate, soil, and animal requirements is fundamental to ecological organic livestock production. Managing integrated crop–livestock systems requires consideration of a wide range of components, including animals, crops, soil, buildings, and landscape, as well as the expected weather patterns. While animal welfare is often equated with animal health in conventional production, organic standards require consideration of animal welfare to also include animals' need for social interaction and other natural behaviors. Although pasture is a major feed source in integrated organic systems, supplemental feeding may also be required.