Dairy & Calf Ranch
Programs
Dairy & Calf Ranches
Dairy and calf ranches are a unique portion of the livestock industry. From milk production to beef and veal, we understand how closely related these entities are with one another; oftentimes falling under the same roof.
Sterling Solutions, a sister company to IMI Global, enables you to take advantage of your unique position, marketing both animals and products in a way that will fit the needs of the consumer and your business at the same time.
Frequently Used Documents
Programs to Consider
Tags & Traceability
All value-added programs require an individual, electronic identification (known as Program Compliant Tags (PCTs), but we also believe that no matter how or where you are marketing your cattle, the basis to any added value starts with an electronic ID. We can work with you to customize your tags to meet your exact needs - from special colors, to unique management numbers or including your ranch name or brand - we can make it happen.
Breed Verified
The IMI Global Breed Verified program and breed verification partnerships allow producers to verify that their cattle are a certain breed. Breed Verified can be added to the Source & Age Verification (SAV) program at no (or minimal) cost - SAV is the minimum requirement for Breed Verified.
Source & Age
Source and age verification (SAV) requires you to keep records of your first and last calf board date, as well as apply an EID tag prior to cattle ever leaving your ranch - their source of origin.
Source only verification is available as well.
Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC)
The NHTC program allows your cattle to be eligible for buyers looking for non-hormone treated cattle, many of which are looking to export beef to the EU.
Implants or fed hormone growth promotants (HGPs) of any kind are not allowed. Cattle must move through approved locations.
Examples include implants, Lutalyse, CIDRs, Optaflexx, MGA.
Verified Natural Beef
"Natural" is something we see in the marketplace, but it is not a set Standard across the board. The IMI Global Verified Natural Beef Standard allows buyers to be assured that cattle have never received any Beta-Agonists, Ionophores, Antibiotics or Animal By-Products.
Cattle must move through approved VNB locations.
CARE
Where Food Comes From CARE is a suite of sustainability standards that certifies participating farmers and ranchers are implementing best practices in animal husbandry, environmental stewardship and a productive engagement with their local communities and the people within them.
Verified Grass-fed
The Verified Grass-fed program is an approved USDA Process Verified claim.
Cattle approved for this standard are eligible for markets and brands making a grass-fed statement on products at the consumer level.
Diets must be solely derived from forage and cattle must move through approved VGF locations.
Organic
IMI Global offers the unique ability to bundle any of your program claims with USDA Organic certification through our Where Food Comes From Organic division.
More Program Options through WFCF Divisions
High Quality Beef (HQB) Quota for NHTC feeders
Submit Application
Feed, birthdates, etc.
Sterling Solutions will assign a Customer Verification Specialist to your ranch. They will go over your application and have you submit records and documentation for them to review prior to your on-site audit.
On-Site
Audit
Annual audit, avg 3-5 hours
Once your CVS has reviewed your application and documentation, they will assign one of our regional auditors to visit your ranch. They will then submit their report to your CVS.
Approval
CVS has final approval
Your CVS will review the auditors report. The CVS will have final approval of your ranch.
Any questions you have may be directed to your CVS.