USDA Issues Grass Fed Marketing Claims Standards

WASHINGTONThe USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a voluntary standard for a grass (forage) fed livestock marketing claim that states grass and/or forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. The diet shall be derived solely from forage and animals cannot be fed grain or grain by-products and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season.

The standard will be published as a Notice in the Federal Register and is titled the U.S. Standard for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claim, Grass (Forage) Fed Claim for Ruminant Livestock and the Meat Products Derived from Such Livestock.