The Implications Of Grass-Fed Beef Farms

By Minnie Whitley


Before 1990, many ranchers were fond of fattening their animals on grain and soy among other supplements. They did so by taking the animals in the feedlots, where such food was provided. However, there has been a growing trend among farmers in keeping them on ranges at home where they feed on their native diet, pasture. Grass-fed beef farms are simply farms that entirely feed their animals on grass.

This beef farming depends on natural feeding. There is no hormone application and promotion of animal growth using additives. As a result, the animals grow at natures pace. They experience very little interference which leaves them healthy and without stress. They do not demand antibiotics and such drugs.

The sole benefit of this type of farming is that their products are more nutritious and healthier. For example, comparing feedlot meat and grass fed beef meat, the pasture fed beef has far less total fat, cholesterol, saturated fat and calories. The meat also contains more vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene among other health promoting fats such as Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and omega 3 fatty acids.

The omega 3 good fat substances found in pasture fed meat have been proved to be healthier. These essential fatty acids slow down the growth of a varied array of cancers. It keeps them from spreading. They can also speed up the recovery after cancer surgery.

The study reveals further that individuals suffering from cancer and having high levels of omega 3 have quite a good response to chemotherapy. They have much far better response than those with low fatty acids. The omega 3 acids are found in plant foliage. They are manufactured in the chloroplasts of the green leaves. It is this reason that makes grass fed animal have more omega 3 fatty acids than grained animals.

The practice of this farming nevertheless requires some knowledge and skill. It is not all about sending the livestock to the feedlot. The exercise entails keeping and maintaining an exceptional quality of grass and legumes. This is the surest way to achieve a succulent and tender breed. The animals should be fed on quality feeds, especially the few months prior to slaughter. The farmer should enhance the health of the soil for quality and nutritious grass. Pasture management must also be undertaken to achieve a maximum plant growth stage. The practice, thus lies more in cultivating and maintaining a quality pasture.

Although the grain fed beef and animal products are quite cheap and convenient, the highly mechanized operations involved have elicited much concern. The practice leaves the animals stressed and abused and employs the unnecessary use of antibiotics, hormones and other drugs. It also produces products with relatively less nutritional value.

There is often a fallacious argument that natural based farming is unprofitable and time consuming. Though it is a fact that this farming is slow, expensive and relatively unprofitable it remains the most balanced and healthy system. The decision on what to consume entirely rest with the consumer, but be enlightened that products resulting from natural farming are nutritious and healthy. Opting for them not only boosts the health of your family, but also depletes environmental degradation.




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