One of the biggest misconceptions that I encounter almost daily is that Free Range Pork is just the same as Organic Pork.
THIS IS NOT TRUE
As a certified organic pork producer and a past associate member of the Free Range Pork Farmers Association, I can tell you plainly and honestly that they are not the same. The only similarity is that Certified Organic Pigs must also be able to range freely.
All certified organic pork must be raised free range, however all free range pork is not organic.
Certified Organic Pork is a standard above free range.
Here are just a few differences:Free Range Pigs can be confined to sheds, Certified Organic pigs must always have access to the outdoors.Free Range Pigs can be treated with antibiotics, Pigs sold as Certified organic never have antibiotics in their lifetime.Free Range Pigs can be treated with chemicals, Certified Organic Pigs can never be treated with chemicals in their lifetime.Free Range Pigs can eat grains that have been treated with chemicals, Certified Organic Pigs can only eat feed that meets the Australian Certified Organic Standards.Certified Organic Means no GMO’s, No Hormones and Natural Breeding also.On our Farm, Pigs are always free to graze outdoors, never confined to a shed. We grow special, High Protein, Irrigated, Certified Organic Pastures for our pigs to graze on. We don’t have any permanent pig sheds to confine our pigs in, we have mobile shelters, feeders and waterers so that we can keep the pigs, the pastures and the land healthy by moving around from paddock to paddock.The Slaughter-men at the Abattoirs we have our pigs killed at keep making some very interesting comments.
- that they have not seen such healthy organs as those that come out of our certified organic, pasture fed Pigs.
- They also keep asking what we use to worm our pigs as ours are clean of intestinal parasites, whereas other pigs that are killed there, that can use chemical wormers, still have worm infestations.
- The meat from our pigs must be very tender as it is much easier to cut than the other pigs they have come through.
All I can say is that it is the natural cycles that we follow of a short graze and then long rest period for the pastures, automatically breaks the life cycle of any parasites. The clean fresh pastures we give them are also full of Chlorophyll, a natural detoxifier and organ cleanser. As our pigs are not fed a ration with soy meal or canola meal (Both can contain GM material) they take a little more time to grow and don’t get a “pumped up” look. Ours pigs get natural amino acids from the green legumes and organic grains that they eat so we don’t need to add extra to their diet.To become certified organic you have to be committed to the principles of organic farming. You can’t just reach for the nearest quick fix, you have to plan well, research the cause of problems and not just treat the symptoms. Its not much wonder that there are not a lot of organic pig farmers in Australia, it is hard work and takes a commitment of 3 years of organic farming, before you can sell your pork as organic.The Australian Standard for Organics will soon be arbitrated by Standards Australia, this will help to weed out those who are currently saying they are organic, or farming organically, but are not certified organic. I have heard and seen complaints from some of these people saying that it is unfair that the word organic can only be used by certified organic producers, but I see it as a guarantee. A guarantee that the producer is willing to put the time, effort and money into following the Australian Organic Standards, and is willing to have a third party come onto their farm at least once a year to take samples, audit the paperwork and planning procedures, and to ensure animal husbandry is being carried out to the high level demanded of a certified organic grower. Otherwise, what checks and measures do you have?So when you buy certified organic pasture perfect® pork, you are guaranteed not only by us that it is free from Chemicals, Antibiotics, Hormones and Gmo’s, but that it is also tested to ensure that our word is true.
Oct 7th, 2008 at 6:51 am
I was just wondering if pigs that are fed organic grains in addition to grass etc, still qualify as “grassfed”?
All the health experts advise that we must be eating “grassfed” meat in order to reap the health benefits of the good staurated fats.
One book mentioned that grassfed animals who are fed even a small amount of grains, lose much of their health properties…ie. “grassfed” was a must.
Would love to hear others comments.
Oct 7th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Hi Kate,
Our pigs are grassfed, but something very importants to understand is that Pigs, unlike cattle, sheep, buffalo, goats, llama, deer, etc etc. are not multi-stomached animals. They have a single stomach, like us. They are not designed to eat a diet full of only grasses as they don’t have the benefit of stomachs that utilizes bacteria to break down the more fibrous parts of the plant to make it more readily digestable by the animal. Like us they greatly benefit from a diverse diet that includes a lot of good quality vegetable matter, but they also need grains such as wheat, barley, sorghum, faba beans, mung beans, millet etc.
Another interesting point that most people don’t realize is that most pork is raised on a diet high in polyunsaturates like soybean meal, canola meal, corn meal etc. When pigs eat these products they make a fat higher in polyunsaturates, than if they eat a pasture and grain diet. The types of grain that are fed can effect the benefits of the pork/fat. We also soak our ground grain overnight before feeding out. We don’t feed any soy or canola products to our pigs at all. We figured that if it is not good for us, it can’t be good for them. My Husband found a great website about a rare breed of pig that was primarily grown for its fat the Mangalitsa. http://woolypigs.com/_introduction.html There is some great information about how these pigs were traditionally raised in Austria and how if you want to grow a pig for the best quality lard, and dry curing or fermenting, you need to feed it differently than if you want it for just meat production. There is a really good part about rendering lard as well that we found really interesting. Happy reading, it kept us rapt for ages!!
Oct 31st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Please, would you allow your gorgeous Pigs to roam over here to the Northern Territory.
Nov 5th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
We would love to be able to get it up to the Northern Territory, but the freight is the big killer for us, that and the food miles. If you have any ideas on a way of getting them there please let us know.
Cheers Miriam