Alternative Poultry Production/Pastured Poultry

Consumers are increasingly looking for alternatives to conventional poultry products, and farmers and marketers are eager to provide those alternatives. Alternative poultry production offers real opportunity to increase farm income in ways that are environmentally sustainable. However, there is little information or training available on alternative production models, and farmers are forced to spend valuable time and resources climbing the learning curve and making costly mistakes.

From designing an entire custom production and certification program, to simply providing “nuts and bolts” basics, NHT specialists can help. Specialists are available for individual or group consultation, workshops, and speaking engagements. Expertise in all types of natural, certified organic, and free-range or “pastured” poultry models is available. Due to recent research under the Small Business Innovation and Research grants program, we offer special expertise in adapting the French Label Rouge range poultry production and quality certification program for North American growers. In France, free-range poultry produced under the Label Rouge national certification system command 30% of the market at high premium prices. Specialty pastured genetics are used. We examined the feasibility of applying Label Rouge features to the grassroots movement and emerging industry in the U.S., including feasibility of developing coordinated supply chains based on the French structure and establishment of quality label certification systems.

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