Larry Schultz Organic Farm
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Owatonna, MN |
| Website | http://www.lsofarm.com/ |
| Market Area | Upper midwest |
| Total Score | 1355 |
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1355 | 4-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 90 | Family owned with contracts with other farmers in neighboring area; close relationship with suppliers |
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Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in systems that benefit us all. Eggs sourced from a single operation receive the most points. Eggs of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Commitment to Organic Label | 100 | Produces only organic eggs |
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Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 50 | Certified Humane (free range) |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 80 | Less than 10,000 birds in all suppliers — most flocks are 5,000 |
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The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits. Hen Housing and Exit Areas | 85 | Fixed housing (no aviary barns) with large exit areas |
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Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors. Indoor Spacing | 80 | At least 1.5 square feet/bird, with some suppliers affording more space |
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High scoring brands provide enough space to allow each hen to fully utilize their outdoor area, and to perform instinctive behaviors without harming the environment. Outdoor Spacing | 75 | At least 4 square feet/bird, with many suppliers offering more space |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 75 | Confirmed legitimate outdoor access seasonally, with access to tree and shrub vegetation that chickens love, non-rotated |
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Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 60 | Around 18 weeks |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 80 | Some enrichments provided, including shrubs and trees and legitimate outdoor enrichments; most suppliers graze cattle or horses in same pastures |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 70 | Beak trimmed at hatchery when less than 10 days old |
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Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 75 | Uses ready-to-lay pullets that are grown specifically for the brand, maintains close connection to suppliers |
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Brands that have low rates of deaths and utilize their spent hens for human consumption or similar score the highest. Deaths, Culls, and Spent Hens | 95 | Between 3-5% death rate; sold live and used for human consumption |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 75 | Manages for healthy vegetation, including trees and shrubs in outdoor areas; sells/gives away manure or uses it for fertility in pastures or crops |
| Feed Sourcing | 90 | Sources feed from local suppliers and a significant portion of feed is grown on Amish supplier farms (often ground/milled elsewhere) |
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Brands that score well here go above and beyond to ensure the highest animal welfare, taking into consideration their hens’ safety and cleanliness, natural behavior, and stress levels. Animal Welfare | 75 | Good animal welfare benchmark |
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Cornucopia believes you have a right to transparency. Top brands share information with Cornucopia via a survey and cooperate with our own independent investigations. Transparency | 100 | Full transparency |
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Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies. Soy free and/or gluten free? | Unknown | |
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Brands do not receive points, but are invited to submit the name of their Accredited Organic Certifier (suppliers may have different certifiers). Organic Certifier (non-scoring) | GOA and MOSA | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
