Grass vs Grain

Benefits of Grass Fed vs Grain Fed Beef

As the name suggests, grass fed beef is produced from cows that primarily have a diet consisting of grass, which is their natural food source. Unlike conventionally raised beef, which is often raised on grain and soy-based diets and kept in confined feedlots, grass fed beef comes from cows that are allowed to graze on pasture for their entire lives. This leads to the beef containing less fat and being significantly more nutritious compared to conventional options. This higher quality beef can be slightly more expensive than grain fed beef, but as with most things in life, you truly get what you pay for! Not only is grass fed beef better for you, the consumer, but it also offers a number of impressive benefits for the environment, making it a choice that resonates with the values of sustainability and health. A beef product can be considered grass fed when the cattle have been allowed to eat grass and graze for their own food in a natural environment.

The overall health benefits, are numerous, but I think it is better if YOU dig in, research, and discover the health benefits of grass fed and finished beef vs feedlot finished beef. Here are a couple of things to consider though. Grass fed beef is typically higher in nutrients such as vitamins A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than conventionally raised beef. These nutrients have been linked to a range of health benefits, including improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and a stronger immune system. Conventionally raised beef is often high in unhealthy fats such as omega-6 fatty acids, which have been linked to inflammation and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Grass fed beef, on the other hand, is lower in these unhealthy fats and higher in healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce inflammation and support overall health.

There are tons of health reasons, but I will concentrate mostly on the ecological and animal-welfare benefits of grass fed/finished beef. Here are some of the high points.

A well-managed grass-fed beef operation will:

• Reduce erosion of the land – Cows that graze on pasture improve the health of the soil by stimulating the growth of grasses and other plants. As they eat, they trample the ground and spread their manure, which helps to fertilize the soil and build up organic matter. This results in healthier soil, which can help to reduce erosion, retain water, and support a diverse range of plant and animal life. Grass fed beef minimizes the erosion of the soil that they pasture on. Compare this to grain fed beef and factory produced beef where the feedlots use less land per animal in a bid to increase farming efficiency. This leads to soil erosion and damages the surrounding environment. Conventionally raised beef is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major driver of climate change. Grass fed beef, on the other hand, can help to sequester carbon in the soil. As cows graze, their hooves and manure help to break up and aerate the soil, which makes it easier for carbon to be absorbed and stored. This means that grass fed beef can have a net positive impact on the climate, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

• Reduce contamination of the local water shed – Local water can become contaminated if the antibiotics and pesticides from industrial beef flows into the streams, rivers, and underground aquafers. Our grass-fed beef contains no antibiotics which allows the water to remain un-contaminated. Why do I mention antibiotics? Not because I am opposed to treating sick animals, no, not at all. I mention it because once cattle make it to the feed lot, the use of subtherapeutic antibiotics and, sometimes, hormone therapy begins. Antibiotics are used for two reasons. First, the swap from grass to grain upsets the cattle’s rumen (part of the digestive system) and causes various sicknesses. Second, the use of antibiotics aides in the weight gaining process. This system, like most things in this world, focuses on profit over product. Another thing to consider is that this constant use of antibiotics can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and may have negative health impacts on humans. Grass fed beef, on the other hand, is free from these substances, which can make it a safer and healthier choice for consumers. This is one of the most important core practices on our farm and one that also includes NO SOY, NO GMOs, and NO CORN!

• Increase biodiversity on the land – The regular movement of cattle to fresh pasture allows them to spread manure over the land which leads to an improvement in the quality and quantity of biodiversity in the surrounding environment. Overgrazing can release the carbon that is held in the soil which can be damaging for the environment. Grass fed beef can be carbon neutral as it allows the carbon stored in the soil to remain in the soil.

• Grass fed beef supports local agriculture.
  Many small-scale farmers who raise grass fed beef are part of local food systems, which can help to strengthen the local economy and reduce transportation emissions associated with shipping food long distances. By buying grass fed beef from local farmers, consumers can support sustainable agriculture and help to build more resilient communities.

According to some so-called scientists, we as a planet should be eating less meat due to the level of methane gases that are produced from cattle; however, this is more aimed towards beef that is factory-produced and full of antibiotics and pesticides (which is often the case with grain fed beef). Not only is it bad for the environment but there is evidence that it may also be bad for your body.

In conclusion, grass fed beef is not only better for you the consumer, but it is also much more beneficial for the surrounding environment, contributing to greater biodiversity and less water pollution than factory produced beef.

But please as with everything in life, don’t take my word for it. Do your own research and make food choices that fit your family best.