Alderspring Ranch
| Rating |  |
| Product offerings | Retail cuts, jerky, wholesale, hot dogs |
| Website | www.alderspring.com |
| Market area | Online, shipped |
| Location | May, ID |
| Specialty labels | 100% grass fed, Real Organic Project |
| Participated in Survey? | Yes |
| Total Score | 1100 |
Alderspring Ranch is certified by the Real Organic Project, which ensures they are exceeding the minimum set by the organic standards. Their products can be purchased online and shipped to customers. They say: “…We produce our grass fed organic beef right here on our Idaho pastures. We’re a true family ranch, and are committed to regenerating the land, giving our animals the best life possible, and providing you with exceptionally clean, great-tasting beef. We’re not a big corporation, and we don’t source our beef from random different suppliers. When you order from us, you get beef raised by us, on our ranch.”
This farm is certified by the Real Organic Project:
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1100) | 1100 | 5-Steak |
Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Transparency and Disclosure | 100 | Very transparent |
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Family farms and farmer cooperatives that market their own beef receive the most points. Corporations that do not directly produce any beef receive the fewest points.
Ownership History | 100 | Managed by one |
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Beef sourced from a single operation receives the most points. Beef of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Beef Supply | 100 | Single business/ranch source |
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Farms that are 100% certified organic receive the most points, farms/brands that are split conventional and organic receive fewer points. Commitment to Organics | 100 | Only sells certified organic beef |
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This category is non-scoring and provided for information purposes. Organic Certifier | ISDA | |
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Animal Welfare Approved, Real Organic Project, and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic.
Other Labels and Standards | 100 | Real Organic Project |
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100% grass-fed and finished or cattle finished with site-grown supplement receives the most points. Cattle finished exclusively in a feedlot receive the fewest points. Beef Finishing | 100 | Finished on pasture, never in a feedlot |
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Points are awarded for quantity of time cattle are on pasture above and beyond what the USDA requires, and for the quality and care of the pasture. Pasture and Grazing Management | 100 | Range-riders move cattle frequently during grazing season |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage for health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Stewardship | 100 | Manages rangeland and home ranch for specific environmental health markers, close monitoring, keeps cattle out of waterways to restore and manage riparian habitat |
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Cattle finished on pasture or on feed that is grown on-farm or procured locally receive the most points. Feed of unknown origin, or known to be imported, receives the fewest points. Feed Sourcing | 100 | Produces majority of feed on-site, buys some organic hay from community |
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Lower cull and death rates recieve more points. Cull and Death Rates | 100 | Below 5% |
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More points are given for greater frequency of contact and close management with cattle and closed herds. Oversight | 100 | Close oversight (range riders stay with cattle constantly during grazing season); closed herd |
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Brands may receive extra credit for above and beyond transparency, or special practices not otherwise covered in the scorecard (see description for an explanation). Extra credit | 0 | None |
