What is a "BM Nutrition Certified Farmer"?

A "Blue Mountain Nutrition Certified Farmer" is an individual or entity that is feeding Blue Mountain Ostrich Feeds to all their Breeder birds, Slaughter birds, Chicks, Growers and Adolescent birds. The feed must be fed according to Blue Mountain feeding recommendations and must be fed for a minimum of 6 months before Certification is approved.

What are the benefits to being a "BM Nutrition Certified Farmer"?:

1. Slaughter Birds
Only "BM Nutrition Certified Farmer" slaughter birds can be used for "Brand Product" labeling under the tradenames of Blue Mountain Ostrich Meats, Blue Mountain Ostrich Leather and Blue Mountain Ostrich Oil.

Why?

This ensures that all products sold under the "Blue Mountain" branded product labels will be of consistent high quality. As an example; Blue Mountain Ostrich Meats from BM Nutrition Certified Farmers is a consistent meat with uniform taste, attractive color, excellent tenderness and appearance. The meat product will be of the highest quality and uniformity no matter where the bird was raised or where the bird was processed.

Our industry has experienced inconsistency in supply due to low egg production, poor fertility and hatchability, followed by high chick mortality. The Blue Mountain nutrition and production program, when correctly implemented, overcomes many of these issues to ensure security of supply.

2. Breeder Birds
Only Breeder birds from a "BM Nutrition Certified Farmer" can be sold as "BMIOA Superior Genetic Breeder birds" or "BMIOA Generic Breeder birds".

Why?

Breeder birds entering the BMIOA Genetic/Generic production program need to be "nutrition classed" to enable one to fairly predict reproduction capabilities and egg qualities. Also, a BMIOA Superior Genetic Hen can only be properly graded and classified according to its parameter of "nutrition classification". The longer a breeder bird has been on a proper diet, the more predictable are the reproduction results. Breeder birds from the BMIOA Genetic and Generic production programs have increased bird value.

Members have defined a BMIOA Genetic and Generic production programs for:
BMIOA Super Genetic Hen Grading System©
BMIOA Generic Breeder Bird Classification System©

3. Chicks
Only Ostrich Chicks from a "BM Nutrition Certified Farmer" can be sold as "BMIOA Superior Genetic Chicks" or "BMIOA Generic Chicks".

Why?

BMIOA Superior Genetic or Generic Chicks were hatched from eggs laid by BMIOA Genetic or Generic Breeder birds that have been "nutrition classed". Before a BMIOA Nutrition Classification can be assigned, the farmer first needs to apply and be approved as a "BM Nutrition Certified" farmer. It is a proven fact that chicks from parents fed a proper diet are stronger, healthier and have increased immune system activities that make the chick more resistant to disease and severe environmental conditions. Chicks from BMIOA Genetic and Generic Breeder birds have increased value.

4. Eggs
Only Ostrich eggs from a "BM Nutrion Certified Farmer" can be sold as "BMIOA Superior Genetic Eggs" or "BMIOA Generic Eggs".

Why?

BMIOA Superior Genetic or Generic eggs are eggs laid by BMIOA Genetic or Generic Breeder birds that have been "nutrition classed" which first requires that the farmer has been approved as a BM Nutrition Certified farmer. It is a proven fact that eggs laid by parents fed a proper diet produce stronger, healthier chicks that have increased immune system activities that make the chick more resistant to disease and severe environmental conditions. It is also a proven fact that parental nutrition is the defining factor for good fertility, hatchability and chick pipping strength. Eggs from BMIOA Genetic and Generic Breeder birds have increased value.

Members have set
BMIOA Superior Genetic Egg Standard©
BMIOA Generic Egg Standard©

How is a "BM Nutrition Certified Farmer" tracked to ensure compliance?:

1. When a farmer applies for certification, he/she reports the Blue Mountain feeding program used on all the birds owned by that individual or entity.

2. When a farmer applies for certification, he/she reports the ACTUAL bird numbers in each bird group (breeder, grower, chick, adolescent).

3. The Blue Mountain feeding program reported and the bird numbers reported for that individual or entity are closely audited against Blue Mountain Feed product purchases for correct useage and correct feeding rate specifications.

4. An approved farmer is issued a Certificate that is set automatically to expire within one year of issue. Farmers MUST complete an update report to Blue Mountain at 6 month intervals from the issue date of the Certificate. Farmers have a 30 day grace period to file their reports, if not received in that grace period, the Certificate is cancelled. Some farms may be required to file reports every 3 months.

5. The farmer applying for certification also has to warrant that his/her birds are being properly fed according to Blue Mountain recommendations and that he/she is not using any other method of feeding his/her birds. He/she also warrants that no growth hormones, steriods, or Animal Protein Products are being used or fed to any of the birds.

Enforcement of Compliance:

When a BM Nutrition Certified Farmer sells a product to a buyer, he/she should inform the buyer of his/her BM Nutrition Certification status by displaying a valid Certificate to their customer and request that they check the BMIOA website for verification of good standing within that program.

There are many ways to audit the status and compliance of a "BM Nutritionally Certified Farmer". If anything is suspect on behalf of the BM Nutrition Certification for an individual Farmer, a full investigation is quickly brought about. If the results of this investigation reveal that the farmer is attempting to "cheat the system", then the BM Nutrition Certification is immediately removed from that farmer and the farmer's operation is put on a "Hold" status as a BM Nutrition Certified Farmer. The farmer has to then start over and is barred from selling BM Nutrition Certified Farmer products for a minimum of 6 months while he/she re-qualifies for the BM Nutrition Certification Status.

If the Buyer does not check out the present status of the BM Nutrition Certified Farmer with Blue Mountain at their website before completing the purchase, then it is clearly a "Buyer Beware" situation. Buyers must be encouraged by the BM Nutrition Certified Farmer to contact Blue Mountain or view the BMIOA website for current status verification.

BM Nutrition Certification© On-Line Application Form