Diestel Turkey Ranch
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Sonora, CA |
| Products | Turkey |
| Website | diestelturkey.com |
| Market Area | Nationwide |
| Total Score | 1175 |
Diestel’s organic turkey is rated at GAP Step 3. They have other (non-organic) products that meet a higher standard for outdoor access that meets the criteria for Gap Step 5 (though this represents a fraction of their production), but without the benefits of organic certification. This brand also produces a majority of conventional “natural” products in addition to their organic line.
They say about their brand: “Diestel Family Ranch was founded on health, happiness and the pursuit of flavor. Now in its fourth generation, we’ve done everything but compromise our values to thoughtfully raise and carefully craft premium, artisan-inspired turkey products worthy of America’s unyielding appetite for better, deliciously lean and clean protein. We were one of the first producers to offer certified Organic products and while we know it takes a little extra effort – it’s worth it to us to produce the best damn turkey you’ve ever tasted and a meal you can feel good sitting down to. Take a bite and you’ll see—it’s worth it to you, too! Also, click HERE to watch our 3-min video, learn more about our farming philosophy and meet the whole Diestel Family.”
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1800) | 1175 | 4-Bird Rating | Excellent |
Family Farms and cooperatives receive the most points. Corporations and companies with poor or negligible farm oversight receive the fewest points. Ownership structure | 80 | Supplied by farms with close relationship |
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100% organic brands receive the most points. Split operations receive fewer with increased penalties for poor segregation at the processor and farm level. Dedication to Organic Production | 30 | Diestel produces both organic and non-organic products. with the majority being conventional |
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Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Transparency and Disclosure | 100 | Full participation |
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Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certifier | 75 | Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) |
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To receive full points, flocks must number 500 birds or fewer (200 for turkeys). Flock size | 30 | Flock sizes are large |
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No more than 1.5 lbs of bird per square foot is required for full points. Stocking Density | 90 | Good stocking density, generally generally allowing no more than 3.07lbs per square foot. |
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Mobile housing receives the highest number of points. Housing Style | 50 | Fixed barns with legitimate outdoor access; GAP step 3 allows static barns |
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Heritage varieties receive the highest number of points. Strain and/or Breed and Slaughter Age | 85 | Brand-specific breeds, slower growing; some higher welfare strains of turkey are raised by Diestel |
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Birds must spend 3/4ths or more of their lives outdoors for full points. Timing for Outdoor Access | 75 | Birds spend a minimum of half their lives outdoors; GAP step 3 requires legitimate outdoor access in turkeys (seasonally) |
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Enrichments include but are not limited to shade structures, water, novel feedstuff (greens, mealworms, sprouted grains), and dust baths. Enrichments (outdoor and indoor) | 80 | Enrichment provided indoors and outdoors, with requirements for vegetative cover (over 25%) |
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Points awarded for labels that go above and beyond organic. Other Labels/Standards | 40 | Diestel's Certified Organic Turkeys are GAP Rated Step 3 (they have a pasture raised but not organic option that is GAP step 5), Non-GMO Project Verified |
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Maximum points given for high quality, rotated pasture. Non-rotated pasture adjacent to fixed housing with lower than 90% vegetative cover receives fewer points. Outdoor Management | 60 | Legitimate outdoor access, rotated outdoor space |
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100 points for on-farm production and/or milling of feed. Fewest points given to feed that cannot be verified as domestic and/or birds get poor or no supplementation from outdoor foraging. Feed Sourcing | 40 | Attempts to source domestic feed; feed is milled at brand's own feedmill on the farm(s) |
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Methionine needs met by outdoor foraging receives 100 points. Synthetic supplementation receives 70 points. Synthetic Methionine | 70 | Supplements up to the maximum allowed by organic regulations |
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Under 5% cull and death rate required for full points. Cull/death Rate | 90 | Low cull and death rate |
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Chicks and poults that are certified organic since hatching, or are hatched on-farm receive 100 points. Off-farm or conventional chicks and poults receive 70 points. Chick and Poult Sourcing | 70 | Sourced from hatchery; poults are raised under brand management on organic farms |
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No physical alterations required for full points. Permitting beak tipping results in fewer points. Physical Alterations | 20 | Beak trimming is allowed |
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Measures farm oversight. Farmer owned brands, or daily visits by management required for maximum points. Farm Support | 90 | Company team members are on the farms continuously |
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Non-scoring, category provided for information only. Slaughter Method (non-scoring) | Electrified stunning bath | |
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Non-scoring, category provided for information only. Soy Free Ration? (non-scoring) | No, soy is included in feed | |
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Maximum transparency, sharing of the organic systems plan, and/or novel practices that sets the brand apart from the rest of the industry can result in extra credit points. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
