This publication of UMaine Cooperative Extension and MOFGA offers guidelines to help transition animals, land and management practices to organic.

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Anaerobic digesters are gaining popularity as a way to convert manure to methane, which can fuel an electrical generator. The technology provides a way to dispose of manure and avoid associated odors while generating usable energy

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A free, interactive Web site can help dairy producers manage nitrogen on their farms better.

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A guide to organic dairy farming has been published by Community Conservation in Wisconsin, edited by Jody Padgham. Written for the transitioning and new organic farmer, Organic Dairy Farming brings together for the first time in a single volume the information to explain everything from organic soil management, calf care and mastitis control, to the certification process and marketing for the organic premium.

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The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service is selling a resource for transitioning and new organic dairy farmers.

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Organic dairy farming has become the fastest growing agricultural sector in New England. Maine has the highest percentage of organic dairy farms compared with conventional in the nation. This growth has occurred within the last 10 years, largely from farms switching from conventional to organic practices.

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Under pressure from agribusiness, the USDA is refusing to act against factory farm dairy feedlots that sell their products as “organic.” Also, a loophole in federal organic regulations allows organic dairy farms to import young calves from non-organic, conventional farms (where animals have been weaned on cow blood, injected or medicated with antibiotics, and fed genetically engineered corn, soybeans and cotton seeds, slaughterhouse waste and tainted animal fats).

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A story by the Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva, on NPR’s Morning Edition (Dec. 17, 2004) told of the Apple family and their neighbors outside Indianapolis. Mark and Debbie Apple were selling raw milk when they found out – through a cease-and-desist order – that they were violating state law …

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• Organic Livestock Accepted Health Practices, Products and Ingredients
• Making the Leap to Organic Dairy Production
• The Organic Decision: Transitioning to Organic Dairy Production
• NODPA News
• Odairy – free, electronic discussion group

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Maine dairy farmers Erik Johnson and John Donald talked about their recent experiences transitioning from conventional to organic production at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta in January. Johnson has about 60 to 70 milkers and 700 acres of crop ground; he is transitioning about one-third of his farm now to supply his herd with feed and can see changes in his herd.

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