GRASS FED BEEF
Definition of "Grass Fed"
The USDA no longer regulates the use of the term "grass fed", but in our definition, grass fed refers to an animal who has eaten nothing but forages, minerals, and mother's milk throughout its lifetime. Forages include species like annual and perennial grasses (timothy, kentucky bluegrass, annual ryegrass, etc.), forbs (legumes like alfalfa and clover, as well as brassicas like mustard), browse, and grain plants in the "pre-head" stage (when they are still grass like and the grain itself has not developed).
In our case, our animals are on pasture when it is available (in Maine, that is generally May-November) In the winter they are maintained on dry hay. They are provided with a mineral supplement to make sure they are in dietary balance.
"Grass-finished" means an animal spent the last few months of its life eating only pasture, but may have been fed other feed products before that. Our animals are generally 100% grass fed, and if they are not, we make this clear when selling!
In our case, our animals are on pasture when it is available (in Maine, that is generally May-November) In the winter they are maintained on dry hay. They are provided with a mineral supplement to make sure they are in dietary balance.
"Grass-finished" means an animal spent the last few months of its life eating only pasture, but may have been fed other feed products before that. Our animals are generally 100% grass fed, and if they are not, we make this clear when selling!
Why Grass Fed?
There are many reasons to consider purchasing and consuming grass fed beef, especially when one compares it to conventionally grown beef. In most cases, beef cattle are fed grain because it makes them grow fast, and does so economically. A little grain is OK, but when cattle and other ruminants (goats, sheep, deer, etc) are fed grain on a regular basis, they can develop a disease called acidosis (1). Acidosis occurs because the bacteria in the rumen that help the animal digest their food have to work to ferment the carbohydrates in the grain. These bacteria are slightly different than the ones that work to digest cellulose based plant products. When these specialized gut bacteria work too rapidly, they acidify the rumen, dropping the pH, and increasing their numbers (1). This drop in pH can cause a host of issues, including a decrease in the number of viable rumen bugs (particularly those responsible for digesting forages), liver abscesses, and a sloughing of the rumen lining (1). Many scientists believe that most feedlot cattle would be dead by the age of two were they not slaughtered first, due to acidosis caused by the high volume of grain they are fed (2). Cattle were "designed" to eat grasses (2), and we believe they live better lives when doing so.
Cattle are much healthier when they live and feed on pasture. Cows on pasture have better feet and legs and less lameness than cattle that live on cement (3). They tend to live longer (3), and there is less calfhood mortality (4). The animals are generally cleaner, as they are not laying in areas where manure becomes concentrated such as confinement buildings or feedlots (4).
Cattle are not the only ones who benefit from pasture based production. Consumers who eat beef from grass-fed animals benefit as well. Grass fed beef is lower in total fat than conventional beef, and is higher in "healthy fats" (5). These include omega-3's, which are thought to help improve and maintain brain function. They also support heart function and help the human body absorb nutrients. Grass fed beef is higher in vitamin B12, E, A than conventional beef (6).
Grass based production is much better for the environment than conventional beef. Pastures act as a carbon sink, meaning that they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and sequester it in plant tissues (7). This is especially important in an era where we are very concerned about greenhouse gasses. Grasses prevent erosion due to their strong root systems. They hold the soil in place and keep it from being removed. The plants absorb and hold rainwater, rather than allowing it to run off like cement surfaces would (8). Since the animals are self-fertilizing the pasture with their manure, 75% of the plant nutrients remain in place (9), keeping the soil healthy and keeping us from having to use artificial fertilizers.
Sources:
1. Bagley, Dr. Clell V., DVM. "Acute and Subacute Rumen Acidosis". Utah State University.
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/newsletter/pub__5621800.html
2. Ruechel, Julius. Grass-Fed Cattle. Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA. 2006. Print.
3. Onyiro, O.M. and S. Brotherstone. Genetic analysis of locomotion and associated confirmation traits of Holstein-Fresian dairy cows managed in different housing systems. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 91 pgs.322-328. 2008.
4. Tikofsky, Linda M., DVM. "Pasture and Animal Health". Cornell University.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRD3576911
5. Clancy, Kate. "Greener Pastures: How Grass Fed Beef and Milk Contribute to Healthy Eating". Union of Concerned Scientists. 2006.
http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/greener-pastures.pdf
6. Abbott, A, et al. Enhanced nutrient content of grass fed beef: justification for health benefit label claim. University of California.
http://www.csuchico.edu/agr/grsfdbef/pdf/amberabbottgrassfedbeef.pdf
7. Gurian-Sherman. "Raising the Steaks: Global Warming and Pasture Based Beef Production in the United States". Union of Concerned Scientists. 2011.
http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/global-warming-and-beef-production-report.pdf
8. Hendershot, Robert. “Environmental Benefits of Improved Grazing Management”. Natural Resources
Conservation Service. 7 May 2004. Accessed 16 Feb 2011.
http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/pasturenet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=6618
9.Rinehart, Lee. "Organic and Grass-Finished Beef Cattle Production". National SUstainable Agriculture Information Service. 2011.
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cattleprod.pdf
Cattle are much healthier when they live and feed on pasture. Cows on pasture have better feet and legs and less lameness than cattle that live on cement (3). They tend to live longer (3), and there is less calfhood mortality (4). The animals are generally cleaner, as they are not laying in areas where manure becomes concentrated such as confinement buildings or feedlots (4).
Cattle are not the only ones who benefit from pasture based production. Consumers who eat beef from grass-fed animals benefit as well. Grass fed beef is lower in total fat than conventional beef, and is higher in "healthy fats" (5). These include omega-3's, which are thought to help improve and maintain brain function. They also support heart function and help the human body absorb nutrients. Grass fed beef is higher in vitamin B12, E, A than conventional beef (6).
Grass based production is much better for the environment than conventional beef. Pastures act as a carbon sink, meaning that they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and sequester it in plant tissues (7). This is especially important in an era where we are very concerned about greenhouse gasses. Grasses prevent erosion due to their strong root systems. They hold the soil in place and keep it from being removed. The plants absorb and hold rainwater, rather than allowing it to run off like cement surfaces would (8). Since the animals are self-fertilizing the pasture with their manure, 75% of the plant nutrients remain in place (9), keeping the soil healthy and keeping us from having to use artificial fertilizers.
Sources:
1. Bagley, Dr. Clell V., DVM. "Acute and Subacute Rumen Acidosis". Utah State University.
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/newsletter/pub__5621800.html
2. Ruechel, Julius. Grass-Fed Cattle. Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA. 2006. Print.
3. Onyiro, O.M. and S. Brotherstone. Genetic analysis of locomotion and associated confirmation traits of Holstein-Fresian dairy cows managed in different housing systems. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 91 pgs.322-328. 2008.
4. Tikofsky, Linda M., DVM. "Pasture and Animal Health". Cornell University.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRD3576911
5. Clancy, Kate. "Greener Pastures: How Grass Fed Beef and Milk Contribute to Healthy Eating". Union of Concerned Scientists. 2006.
http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/greener-pastures.pdf
6. Abbott, A, et al. Enhanced nutrient content of grass fed beef: justification for health benefit label claim. University of California.
http://www.csuchico.edu/agr/grsfdbef/pdf/amberabbottgrassfedbeef.pdf
7. Gurian-Sherman. "Raising the Steaks: Global Warming and Pasture Based Beef Production in the United States". Union of Concerned Scientists. 2011.
http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/global-warming-and-beef-production-report.pdf
8. Hendershot, Robert. “Environmental Benefits of Improved Grazing Management”. Natural Resources
Conservation Service. 7 May 2004. Accessed 16 Feb 2011.
http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/pasturenet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=6618
9.Rinehart, Lee. "Organic and Grass-Finished Beef Cattle Production". National SUstainable Agriculture Information Service. 2011.
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cattleprod.pdf
Grass Fed FAQs
Q: Why is the fat on grass fed beef yellow-ish instead of pure white?
A: Grass fed beef has yellowish fat due to the amount of beta carotene (vitamin A) it contains (its why carrots are orange!). There is a lot of beta carotene in grasses and other plants that the animals eat.
Q: Why is grass fed beef a little more expensive than conventional beef?
A: Just like with anything else, when you buy food, you get what you pay for. Grass fed production requires land area and takes a little longer than conventional practices to result in a quality product. Don't compromise on meat quality, health, and taste!
Q: Does grass fed beef taste differently than conventional beef?
A: Yes, it does. However, most people agree that the taste of grass fed meat is superb and much more flavorful than conventional beef. Many describe it as a more full-bodied flavor.
Q: Is the slaughtering process humane?
A: Yes. All slaughterhouses must follow the Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act. The full act can be found at this site:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Humane_Methods_of_Livestock_Slaughter_Act/index.asp
A: Grass fed beef has yellowish fat due to the amount of beta carotene (vitamin A) it contains (its why carrots are orange!). There is a lot of beta carotene in grasses and other plants that the animals eat.
Q: Why is grass fed beef a little more expensive than conventional beef?
A: Just like with anything else, when you buy food, you get what you pay for. Grass fed production requires land area and takes a little longer than conventional practices to result in a quality product. Don't compromise on meat quality, health, and taste!
Q: Does grass fed beef taste differently than conventional beef?
A: Yes, it does. However, most people agree that the taste of grass fed meat is superb and much more flavorful than conventional beef. Many describe it as a more full-bodied flavor.
Q: Is the slaughtering process humane?
A: Yes. All slaughterhouses must follow the Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act. The full act can be found at this site:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Humane_Methods_of_Livestock_Slaughter_Act/index.asp
*If you have more questions about grass fed beef or our production practices, please feel free to email us, message us on Facebook, call us, or come talk to us at the farm!
Links
Maine Department of Agriculture:
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/index.shtml
University of Maine Cooperative Extension- a wealth of information about a variety of topics, including agriculture, gardening, nutrition, and other programs:
http://extension.umaine.edu/
Sustainable Table-A site dedicated to agricultural and environmental issues, including pasture based production:
http://www.sustainabletable.org/
Eat Wild-a guide to grass fed farm products:
http://www.eatwild.com/
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/index.shtml
University of Maine Cooperative Extension- a wealth of information about a variety of topics, including agriculture, gardening, nutrition, and other programs:
http://extension.umaine.edu/
Sustainable Table-A site dedicated to agricultural and environmental issues, including pasture based production:
http://www.sustainabletable.org/
Eat Wild-a guide to grass fed farm products:
http://www.eatwild.com/