Cattle farms that are eligible for certification are evaluated based on the criteria of both the Sustainable Agriculture Network’s Sustainable Agriculture Standard and the Standard for Sustainable Cattle Production Systems. Groups must also comply with the Group Certification Standard.

Additional to sustainable agriculture certification, cattle farms have an integrated cattle management system; they also select pastures according to their nutritional value, resistance to pests and production rates. Cattle farms provide good shelter, food and water to ensure good health and productivity. They seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved diet, optimized productivity, manure and urine processing, and agroforestry systems. They minimize the access of cattle to ecosystems and establish a balance between the presence of wildlife and cattle. Farms dispose hazardous waste without negative impacts on human health and the environment.

Standard

The sustainable cattle production systems program covers the Sustainable Agriculture Standard of the Sustainable Agriculture Network and in the case of groups, the Group Certification Standard, plus five additional principles of the Sustainable Agriculture Network Standard for Sustainable Cattle Production Systems:

Principles of the Standard for Sustainable Cattle Production Systems

11. Integrated Cattle Management System

12. Sustainable Range and Pasture Management

13. Animal Welfare

14. Reducing the Carbon Footprint

15. Additional Environmental Requirements for Cattle Farms

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How to Apply

More information about single farm or group certification in agriculture and cattle production is available here.