Consider how different it feels (and smells) to drive past a field of peacefully grazing cattle compared to an industrial feedlot. Clearly, beef production varies from operation to operation. Here at Oreganic™, we make sure our animals live as close to the way nature intended as possible. But you don’t have to take our word for it—we’ve got the GAP4 certification to back it up.
The Global Animal Partnership (GAP)
Since 2008, the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) has set animal welfare standards within the meat industry. As one of the most extensive animal welfare food labeling programs in North America, the framework they’ve developed rewards humane, sustainable practices.
Their standards govern everything—from how animals are raised to what they eat. Some of their projects have included the Better Chicken Project and moving cattle off of feedlots. In 2018, they certified 416 million animals across their eight partner countries.
Why Is GAP Certification Important?
GAP has pioneered a new way for ranchers, consumers, and retailers to think about farm animal welfare. Their mission relies on the idea that once people know better, they’ll do better. Or, in this case, once consumers can quickly identify humane farmers, they’ll support them. GAP labeling is just one way to guarantee that our beef is sustainable and traceable.
What GAP4 Certification Means for Our Animals
There are five GAP certification levels (1-5), and each comes with its own set of standard practices. Across the board, GAP certification means no antibiotics, no growth hormones, and no animal by-products in their feed. Other guidelines include the amount of time spent grazing, whether animals have shelter and enrichment, and weaning protocols.
We achieved a GAP Step-4 rating in 2013. And every 15 months, a third-party auditor stops by to inspect Rocker 3 Ranch and ensure we’re sticking to the appropriate guidelines. The truth is, we’ve been following these practices long before certification. Our family strives to provide all animals a happy, healthy, and stress-free life.
We’ve been committed to 100% grass-fed and finished beef, organic practices, and animal welfare for decades. After all, good things take time. Which is why we take the extra six to ten months for a healthier product raised to the highest humane treatment standards. The GAP label is just one more guarantee that we’re doing what’s right, not what’s easy.
As close to natural as possible
While beef production practices vary widely, we’re happy to see more meat-eaters supporting humane, organic ranches. When you order a package of Oreganic™ steaks, burgers, or ground beef, you’re getting beef that lived as nature intended. No antibiotics, no hormones, and 100% grass-fed. And our GAP4 certification guarantees it. Get yours now.