Grass Fed Small & Very Small Producer Program (SVS)

The USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small (SVS) Producers was designed to create opportunities for small-scale livestock producers who would like to have their ruminant animals certified as grass fed. Producers certified under this program receive a certificate that allows them to market cattle and sheep as USDA Certified grass-fed.

This program, is designed for producers who market 49 cattle or less each year or lambs produced from 99 ewes or less.

This program requires that ruminant animals be fed only grass and forage, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. Animals certified under this program cannot be fed grain or grain by-products and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season.

The “49 cattle or less” or “lambs produced from 99 or less ewes” rule is based upon the smallest groups identified in the Census of Agriculture.

Cost of the Service: The set fee for the review is $155.00/hour.

Duration of the approval: Two year period.

This form is used to apply for the Small and Very Small Producers Cattle program: QAD 1020C Form Application for SVS Cattle Program (doc)

Applications should be submitted via email to QAD.Auditservice@usda.gov. If email is not possible hard copy application can be submitted to:

USDA, AMS, LP, Quality Assessment Division

Audit Services Branch

1400 Independence Ave. S.W.

Stop 0258 – Rm3932S

Washington, DC 20250

This form is used to apply for the Small and Very Small Producers Sheep program: QAD 1020S Form Application for SVS Sheep Program (doc)

Applications should be submitted via email to QAD.Auditservice@usda.gov. If email is not possible hard copy application can be submitted to:

USDA, AMS, LP, Quality Assessment Division

Audit Services Branch

1400 Independence Ave. S.W.

Stop 0258 – Rm3932S

Washington, DC 20250

AMS reviews a producer’s application and detailed farm/ranch plan. If the information is sufficient, AMS approves the producer and the cattle and/or sheep as meeting the requirements of the USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small (SVS) Producers. Producers certified under this program receive a certificate that allows them to market cattle and sheep as USDA Certified grass-fed.

• Official Listing for Grass Fed Beef SVS Program

• Official Listing for Grass Fed Sheep SVS Program

• QAD 1020: Grass Fed Program SVS Producers

• QAD 1020C: Application for SVS Cattle Program

• QAD 1020S: Application for SVS Sheep Program

• National Grass Fed Beef Report (Monthly)