This study guide is an overview of some key CNG livestock standards that most often trip up newer members (and some of our old hats too)! Each rule is first explained in plain language, followed by the standard language, for your reference. The livestock standards are fully detailed here.
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Origin of Livestock
Start ‘em off right! All livestock must be raised according to CNG standards from the last third of gestation for mammals (hogs, cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) and no later than the day after hatching for poultry. (A one-time exception can be made for new applicants who wish to transition their conventional livestock to CNG, following a waiting period of six or nine months, during which the livestock is managed according to CNG standards before it can be marketed as CNG).
Origin of livestock. (205.236)
(a) Livestock products that are to be sold, labeled or represented as Certified Naturally Grown (or CNG) must be from livestock under continuous CNG management from the last third of gestation or hatching, except:
(1) Poultry. Poultry or edible poultry products must be from poultry that has been under continuous CNG management beginning no later than the second day of life;
2) Dairy animals. Milk or milk products must be from animals that have been under continuous CNG management for the past six months or longer.
Herd/Flock Expansion
Sometimes, when a producer is looking to expand their herd or flock, they may be unable to find a naturally-grown source of the desired breed in their area. After getting guidance and a variance from CNG, these producers may purchase conventionally grown animals so long as they have not been treated with growth hormones. These animals must be managed according to CNG standards for nine months before their meat or eggs can be marketed as CNG. For dairy animals, the transition period is six months.
Origin of livestock. (205.236)
(3) New breeds and expansion of a herd or flock. A producer who wishes to start raising a new breed of livestock or to expand a current herd or flock may buy-in non-organic or non-CNG animals under these conditions:
(i) The producer has been unable to identify organic or naturally grown sources for this breed within the region;
(ii) The producer has contacted CNGs livestock coordinator for assistance locating an organic or CNG supplier of the sought-after breed;
(iii) The producer has received a variance from Certified Naturally Grown to include the purchased livestock among the CNG stock after the waiting period specified in item (vi);
(iv) The bought-in animals have not been treated with growth hormones;
(v) The bought-in animals are raised according to the CNG livestock standards as soon as they arrive on the farm;
(vi) No livestock products shall be sold, labeled or represented as Certified Naturally Grown until after the livestock have been under continuous CNG management for nine months or more, unless the livestock are to be used as dairy animals only, in which case their milk may be sold as Certified Naturally Grown after six months of continuous CNG management.
Feed
Feed for CNG livestock must be produced according to CNG standards. This means that a CNG livestock operation may rely on certified organic feed, transitional organic feed, or feed from a local producer who will sign a Feed Declaration verifying their feed is grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, and with non-GMO seeds. If feed is marketed as non-GMO, but not certified organic, then it is very likely grown with synthetic inputs. Livestock that is pasture-raised without supplemental feed is also all good, as long as the pasture is managed without synthetic inputs.
Certain synthetic feed additives and supplements are allowed under CNG standards, mostly vitamins and minerals. See CNG’s List of Allowed and Prohibited Inputs.
Livestock feed. (205.237)
(a) The producer of a CNG livestock operation must provide livestock with a total feed ration composed of agricultural products, including pasture and forage, that are produced and, if applicable, handled in accordance with either Organic or CNG standards. Except, That, non synthetic substances and synthetic substances allowed under 205.603 may be used as feed additives and supplements.
Feed Declaration
Each year, all CNG livestock producers must submit a feed declaration to CNG at the time of their inspection. These feed declarations, submitted for each feed source, ensure that all feed is being grown according to CNG/organic standards. If the feed is not CNG or certified organic, the feed supplier must fill out and sign the Feed Declaration verifying that their feed meets the following standards:
See the Feed Declaration Form for details.
Vaccines
Vaccines are highly recommended as the best defense against many livestock diseases. A robust vaccination program can prevent the use of medications and/or culling in the future.
Synthetic substances allowed for use in CNG livestock production. (205.603)
In accordance with restrictions specified in this section the following synthetic substances may be used in CNG livestock production:
(a) As disinfectants, sanitizer, and medical treatments as applicable.
(3) Biologics-Vaccines.
Medical Treatment
Most conventional veterinary medicines including antibiotics, growth hormones/supplements, and dewormers are not allowed under CNG standards (vaccines are an important exception). However, the standards require that appropriate veterinary treatment (including conventional medications) should be given to prevent animal suffering and death. Preserving certification status is not an acceptable reason to withhold needed medical treatment. The animal treated just can’t be marketed as CNG and should be sold off-farm to prevent any possibility of a mix up.
Livestock health care practice standard. (205.238)
(c) The producer of CNG livestock must not:
(1) Sell, label, or represent as CNG any animal or edible product derived from any animal treated with antibiotics, any substance that contains a synthetic substance not allowed under 205.603, or any substance that contains a non synthetic substance prohibited in 205.604.
(2) Administer any animal drug, other than vaccinations, in the absence of illness;
(3) Administer hormones for growth promotion;
(4) Administer synthetic parasiticides on a routine basis;
(5) Administer synthetic parasiticides to slaughter stock;
(6) Administer animal drugs in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; or
(7) Withhold medical treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve its CNG status. All appropriate medications must be used to restore an animal to health when methods acceptable to CNG production fail. Livestock treated with a prohibited substance must be clearly identified and shall not be sold, labeled, or represented as Certified Naturally Grown.
Pasture
All animals must have access to the outdoors, as well as shade, shelter, fresh air, and direct sunlight, except in cases of inclement weather. Ruminants, including dairy animals, should spend most of their time on pasture (at least 120 days per year) and a significant amount of their dry matter intake should be from grazed pasture. Pastured poultry must have room to run around, scratch, and be chickens, while pastured hogs must be able to root around, wallow, and be pigs!
Livestock living conditions. (205.239)
(a) The producer of CNG livestock must establish and maintain livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals, including:
(1) Access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of life, the climate, and the environment; in particular:
(i) Ruminants must spend most of their time on pasture during the growing season, with a minimum of 120 days per year spent grazing on pasture (The 120 minimum is based on the short growing season of the Northeast United States. In areas with longer growing seasons, the number of days on pasture should be correspondingly greater, and may be as many as 200 days or more in areas like the Northwestern U.S. with longer growing seasons.)
(ii) Poultry must be allowed 5 square feet per bird outdoors, or at least 2 sq. ft. per bird if poultry is moved once per day to fresh new pasture or at least 1.25 sq. ft. per bird if poultry if moved twice or more per day to fresh new pasture…
(iii) Pigs must have access to a wallow and covered shelter that is large enough for all pigs to lie down at the same time. Living conditions must allow natural rooting behaviors in the ground when outdoors.
(c) For ruminants, grazed pasture must provide a significant portion of the total feed requirements, but not less than 30% of the dry matter intake on an average daily basis during the entire growing season, and for no fewer than 120 days per year. (The 120 minimum is based on the short growing season of the Northeast United States. In areas with longer growing seasons, like the Pacific Northwest, the number of days on pasture should be correspondingly greater, and may be as many as 200 days or more).
Housing
When kept indoors overnight or during extreme weather, poultry should have at least 1.75 square feet per bird, while hogs must have enough room to root, lay down and wallow. All livestock should have clean, dry bedding and adequate space to exercise, rest, and prevent injury. Gestation and farrowing crates are never allowed.
Livestock living conditions. (205.239)
(a) The producer of CNG livestock must establish and maintain livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals, including:
(1) Access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of life, the climate, and the environment; in particular: (ii)...When indoors for short periods of time (such as overnight or during extreme weather), all poultry must have at least 1.75 sq. ft. per bird. (iii) Pigs must have access to a wallow and covered shelter that is large enough for all pigs to lie down at the same time. Living conditions must allow natural rooting behaviors in the ground when outdoors. If pigs are temporarily kept indoors due to the permitted exceptions described in 205.239(b), pigs must have access to materials such as straw, sawdust, or wood chips in which they can root.
(2) Appropriate clean, dry bedding. If the bedding is typically consumed by the animal species, it must comply with the feed requirements of 205.237;
(3) Shelter designed to allow for: (i) Natural maintenance, comfort behaviors, and opportunity to exercise; (ii) Temperature level, ventilation, and air circulation suitable to the species; and (iii) Reduction of potential for livestock injury;
(b) The producer of CNG livestock may provide temporary confinement for an animal because of:
(1) Inclement weather;
(2) Certain short-term conditions related to the animal's stage of life such as: (i) Final finish stage for slaughter stock, not to exceed 90 days; (ii) Birthing; (iii) Dairy animals up to 6 months of age. Note: Lactation is NOT a stage of life that may be used to justify denying pasture for grazing. Gestation crates and farrowing crates are prohibited.
(3) Conditions under which the health, safety, or well being of the animal could be jeopardized; or
(4) Risk to soil or water quality.
Note: Every effort should be taken to minimize the duration of these short-term confinements.
Mixed Operations
Some producers certify some but not all the livestock on their farm. This is allowed, though these folks have to be super clear about which animals are certified, and which are excluded from certification. Furthermore, CNG farmers may not produce the same product (eggs, milk, meat) conventionally and CNG. For example, producing and selling some pork as CNG and some as conventional would not be allowed. Producing and selling CNG eggs, but selling non-certified beef would be allowed, though these producers must clearly label the non-certified products.
Land Management
In addition to managing their herds and flocks naturally, livestock producers must also manage their land naturally and sustainably. All pastures, feed production fields, and any other areas that will be used by CNG livestock, must be managed according to CNG guidelines. So, no synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or other inputs. Manure must be composted, spread, or disposed of in a way that prevents runoff and contamination. Tillage and fertility practices should aim to reduce erosion and maintain/increase soil organic matter. Any forage, feed, pasture, or cover crop seed needs to be non-GMO, free of synthetic seed treatments, and organic whenever possible.
See the following standards for more crop production and land management details:
Allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients in CNG production and handling. (205.105)
Land requirements. (205.202)
Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard. (205.203)
Seeds and planting stock practice standard. ( 205.204)
Crop rotation practice standard. ( 205.205)
Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard. ( 205.206)
 Buffers
CNG typically requires buffer zones of at least 20 feet between growing areas and sources of potential contamination. Growing areas adjacent to a high risk source of contamination (e.g. conventional orchard) should maintain a buffer zone of at least 100 feet. The distance required may vary depending on factors such as prevailing wind, topography, and intervening barriers. The adjacent conventional producer’s crop, products, spray height, and spray method must also be considered. Physical barriers and hedgerows are encouraged.
The CNG certification specialist will help you determine the appropriate buffer based on your unique situation.
205.202. Land requirements
Any field or farm parcel from which harvested crops are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as "Certified Naturally Grown" must:...
(c) Have distinct, defined boundaries and buffer zones such as runoff diversions to prevent the unintended application of a prohibited substance to the crop or contact with a prohibited substance applied to adjoining land that is not under CNG management.
Pasture and Forage Inputs
If cultural methods are insufficient, only organically approved substances may be used to manage pests, weeds, and/or disease. If the substance as a whole is not OMRI or CNG listed, each ingredient must be individually checked to determine compliance.
205.206. Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard
(e) When the practices provided for in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section are insufficient to prevent or control crop pests, weeds, and diseases, a biological or botanical substance or a substance included on the National List of synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production may be applied to prevent, suppress, or control pests, weeds, or diseases: Provided, That, the conditions for using the substance are documented by the farmer.
Treated wood
Treated wood isn't allowed for new construction where it will come into contact with the soil, though existing wood can be grandfathered in. If you're looking for alternatives, you might consider naturally rot-resistant wood, such as cedar, black locust, black walnut, or white oak; materials like concrete, plastic or steel; or wood-plastic composites, as long as they do not contain fungicides.
(205.206)(f) The producer must not use lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials for new installations or replacement purposes in contact with soil or livestock.
Seed Sourcing
CNG farmers must use organic/CNG seeds unless they are unable to find the particular variety they wish to grow (or an equivalent variety), in the amount they need, after checking with at least three seed companies that regularly supply organic seeds.
205.204. Seeds and planting stock practice standard
(a) The producer must use Certified Naturally Grown or organically produced seeds, annual seedlings, and planting stock: Except, That,
(1) Non-CNG or non-organically produced, untreated seeds and planting stock may be used to produce an CNG crop when an equivalent naturally grown variety is not commercially available, Except, that, organically produced or Certified Naturally Grown seed must be used for the production of edible sprouts;
Seed Treatments
Many treated seeds are not allowed. If you want to use treated seeds, be sure the treatment is compliant with CNG or organic standards.
205.204. Seeds and planting stock practice standard (continued)
(2) Non-CNG or non-organically produced seeds and planting stock that have been treated with a substance included on the National List of synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production may be used to produce a CNG crop when an equivalent organically produced, Certified Naturally Grown, or untreated variety is not commercially available;
Soil Testing
CNG highly recommends but does not require annual soil testing. A farmer must maintain or improve the soil organic matter content, but the standards do not specify how this is measured. However if a farmer wishes to amend with a restricted synthetic micronutrient they will need to show a deficiency on a soil or tissue sample.
205.203. Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard
(c) The producer must manage plant and animal materials to maintain or improve soil organic matter content in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances.