Non-GMO food

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote: The $550 minimum order is per drop site. If there is already a drop site set up near you, I think it is a $50 minimum per order. You might want to check their website to see if there is one. I am part of a co-op and we all pool our orders together. If you don't already have a drop site in your area, perhaps you could see if there are others in your area looking for organic feed and other items and start your own co-op. Azure Standard carries many items that people interested in organic would be interested in.
Yes this is true about the other products- they carry many human food products and lotions, etc.

 

[Jane Boone]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[Michael Apple]

This is from the USDA website concerning Organics. I'm not trying to prove anyone wrong, I just thought someone might want to see this.

"The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can’t plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can’t eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can’t use any GMO ingredients. To meet the USDA organic regulations, farmers and processors must show they aren’t using GMOs and that they are protecting their products from contact with prohibited substances, such as GMOs, from farm to table."

http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/05/17/organic-101-can-gmos-be-used-in-organic-products/

It wouldn't surprise me if there was GMO contamination in all grains, even organic. The certifier probably has a set tolerance for GMO contamination when they test for it in Organic grain.

Certain certifications ensure the stability of truly organic food stuffs, such as Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. The confusion with non-GMO label and Organic labeling, is that non-GMO doesn't mean "organic" since pesticides/herbicides can still be used in production. Organic means non-GMO plus no pesticide/herbicide residuals. In regard to "soy-free" and "corn-free", that does not mean the formulation is superior since linseed meal, canola meal, are often used to replace soy. Neither have the amino acid percentage good quality organic soybean meal does. Soy prices have risen and they are merely cheapening their ingredients in order to maintain competitive pricing. this is obvious in the price difference of "non-GMO" versus "Organic" labeling, where the former is cheaper. Corn even has methionine, and some carbohydrates beneficial to poultry, and organic corn is more expensive than GMO corn. If one desires to improve the amino acid content of feeds, don't depend on your average formulated feed. Nutritional yeast (superior to brewer's yeast) as an addition to a good quality formulated feed is a convenient way to add the multiple B vitamins and amino acids often lacking in formulated feeds.

 

[Saerasx]

Good perspective and facts Michael. However I was curious about those eggs labelled soy free that I'm seeing at Whole Foods now. Does the absence of feeding soy really affect the egg in a positive way? I know I personally avoid eating too much soy, but is there a point if you are feeding organic and certified non GMO?

I do agree that the reasons usually to stay away from corn are because they are Monsanto's love child unless you know it's organic/m
non gmo, but besides this it isn't an easily digestible food because of the structure of the kernel, not to say the nutrients in corn are not absorbed. Since chickens however utilize grit because they have to, are they able to get everything from the corn?

Just a few rambling coffee thoughts.

 

[Michael Apple]

Good perspective and facts Michael. However I was curious about those eggs labelled soy free that I'm seeing at Whole Foods now. Does the absence of feeding soy really affect the egg in a positive way? I know I personally avoid eating too much soy, but is there a point if you are feeding organic and certified non GMO?

I do agree that the reasons usually to stay away from corn are because they are Monsanto's love child unless you know it's organic/m
non gmo, but besides this it isn't an easily digestible food because of the structure of the kernel, not to say the nutrients in corn are not absorbed. Since chickens however utilize grit because they have to, are they able to get everything from the corn?

Just a few rambling coffee thoughts.

To me, the whole soy-free deal in labeling human foods are for those who may be allergic to it, which is sensible. I don't like soy myself simply because it has no benefit compared to other foods I eat. Labeling eggs as soy-free from soy being absent from the laying hen's diet is comical to me, and seems to be just trendy marketing with that label. I see chickens sold at the butcher with a label stating they are raised on a "vegetarian diet". Lol. Anyone who has bothered to understand nutrient requirements for chickens knows animal protein is the most superior protein and should not be absent from the bird's diet. Chickens are omnivorous.

In regard to corn, it is digestible to a chicken. It would have been removed long ago from poultry diets if it were not digestible. A couple good books about poultry nutrition based upon numerous studies from actual scientists over many years, instead of bloggers and self proclaimed experts on their websites, are worth getting. One is Successful Poultry Management by Morley Jull, which has numerous amounts of other beneficial information, and the other is Feeding Poultry by G.F. Heuser. It may take some work tracking down those titles, but they are valuable sources of information.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote: x2 on the GF Heuser book! I have it and LOVE it. Norton Creek Press.

 

[Michael Apple]

x2 on the GF Heuser book! I have it and LOVE it. Norton Creek Press.

Yup. Heuser mentions Jull in his book too. He was a wealth of knowledge when it came to poultry.

 

[Bethel3330]

I've been buying Hiland Naturals from a local dealer. They list their dealers on their website if interested.