The Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
Discover > Farm to Table Eating in Texas > The Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
Occupying both the kitchen table as well as dinnertime conversation, beef (What wine goes well with beef?) has become more of a hot-button topic than ever before as consumers continue to seek greater transparency from the meat industry. One crucial detail gaining increasing attention is the means by which the cattle are fed—in other words, grass versus grain. Today, we’ll look at the differences between grass and grain-fed beef, revealing why grass-fed beef may truly be better for your health as well as the planet.
Not to mention the fact that Texas is the undisputed king of cattle producers in the United States, knowing the difference between grass-fed beef and your conventional factory-farmed beef can help you make better decisions when it comes to purchasing beef!
It's All About the Feed!
The source and overall quality of a cow’s feed is fundamental to the nutritional composition of the meat the animal produces. In the U.S., where beef is produced on a mass, factory-grade scale, it is common for cows to be fed in large feedlots known as concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs. Consisting of small stalls with little room for animals to move, these feedlots rely on grain-based food usually made up of soy or corn. While procedures vary from one producer to the next, the goal is typically to fatten up cows in as little time as possible. Many producers are relying more heavily on grain than ever before to speed up the growth process, as new regulations have been placed on the use of antibiotics for growth in the past five years. Under the FDA’s ruling as part of the Veterinary Feed Directive, antibiotics that are considered key to human medicine must be administered to livestock under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian and cannot be used for growth promotion. Simply put, soy and corn-based feed is a quick and cost-effective method to produce large quantities of beef. But sadly, as is often the case, the quality of the meat tends to suffer.
What Does Grass-Fed Beef Mean, Officially?
Although the phrase “grass-fed beef” is becoming an increasingly popular piece of agricultural vernacular, definitions of the term can vary. The official “grass-fed” label was discarded by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service in January 2016, leaving the term wide open to interpretation, as well as garnering widespread confusion from consumers. Today, nearly any form of beef can be labeled as grass-fed, even if it is only true on a technicality. The USDA officially defines grass-fed beef as being produced from cattle fed solely on their mother’s milk and foraged grass for the first 6-12 months, after which they are often shipped to the feedlots to be fattened on grain for the remainder of their lives. This change in lifestyle can often have a negative impact on the quality of the meat, even if the cow began its life in a purely grass-fed environment.
Is the Grass-Fed Beef Label Worth the Price?
While grass-fed beef can be more costly to produce and purchase, many consider the benefits to be well worth the price. Grass-fed beef tends to be less caloric than grain-fed meat, containing fewer monounsaturated fats and as much as five times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to prevent and treat many common ailments, including heart disease, eczema and arthritis. High in vitamins A and E, selenium, iron and zinc, grass-fed beef supplies your body with nutrients needed to restore damaged cells, build strong muscle, and repair damaged cartilage tissue. For those who are highly active, grass-fed beef can be a game-changer, improving performance by helping your body to produce a compound known as carnosine. This is done with the aid of a special amino acid found in grass-fed beef, most commonly known as beta-alanine. Vital for muscle function, carnosine can enable you to increase both capacity and performance in high-input exercises. Studies suggest that a high dosage of beta alanine over a period of 4-10 weeks can result in as much as an 80% increase of carnosine in muscle tissue.
Grass-Feed Beef, Good for the Body, Good for the Soul, and Good for the Environment
Consuming grass-fed beef can mean an improvement in not only our physical wellbeing, but in the health of our planet as well. Grass-fed operations require well-managed and responsible grazing practices, which help to reduce soil erosion and water pollution, preserve biodiversity, and increase overall carbon sequestration. This is done by keeping animals in fresh pasture and away from water sources such as streambeds, lakes and reservoirs. Due to their reliance on grass and foliage as a source of feed, the use of fertilizers and pesticides are kept to a minimum or often ruled out altogether, sparing nearby waterways and the quality of the soil.
While not everyone’s cut of choice, the ecological, ethical and health benefits of grass-fed beef are certainly worth pausing to consider. From boosting your immunity and muscle strength to cutting back on your day-to-day carbon footprint, the host of advantages seem endless. Opting for grass-fed meat can be a great way to support your local farmers as well—usually raised using smaller operations, grass-fed cattle are often the product of hard work and loving care from people you know and trust. Don't forget to visit your local listing of farms and ranches to find a ranch that offers grass-fed beef near you!
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