Missouri Organic Feed Operation Takes Off

Missouri Organic Feed Operation Takes Off LIVESTOCK Feeding Equipment “We started by becoming a certified 100 percent organic facility servicing a few dairy operations and have expanded into beef poultry hogs sheep and goats which has made our operation boom ” says Abby Peterson business manager of Peterson Organic Feeds in Missouri After a local feed mill closed in Joplin not far from the Petersons a handful of organic and non-GMO dairy operations approached owner Paul Peterson about getting into the feed business “We didn’t want to compete with other local mills so we tapped into the growing need for organic feed ” says Peterson The Peterson’s feed is certified organic by Ecocert ICO LLC and qualifies for the USDA official stamp of approval “Some labels may say and claim to be organic but the only foolproof way to know is by looking for the ‘USDA Organic’ stamp ” says Peterson “This seal certifies that the facility has gone through the extensive processes required to be officially recognized as organic producers ” To meet certification requirements the Petersons must buy from certified organic suppliers and farmers and pass periodic audits “Being organic means that the products in the feed are completely natural without fertilizers pesticides or herbicides ” says Peterson Peterson is also happy to say they try to source as many of their ingredients from local producers as possible “About 60 percent comes from Missouri farms and some things we get from neighboring states ” says Peterson Feeds are blended according to their customers’ needs made fresh and made to order Products are sold from their mill and customers either pick up their order or have it delivered Peterson’s mill doesn’t have a livestock nutritionist on site but they work closely with some in the area They can blend anything the customer is looking for using grains dry leafy greens and grasses minerals herbs molasses and fishmeal Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Peterson Organic Feeds 314 E 1st Street Mountain Grove Missouri 65711 ph 512 525-5672; www petersonorganicfeeds com

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