Grass-finished Beef vs. CAFO Beef

As I read about yet another meat recall this morning due to E Coli, I thought this article was appropriate to share.

Grass-finished Beef vs. CAFO Beef

August 20, 2008 By Jenny 18 Comments
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We eat meat. It was with a heavy heart that I first started eating meat again after being a vegetarian. Yet, my health improved dramatically as my diet whole, veg*n foods was much impoverished without animal foods. Yet, with a better understanding of what animal foods meant for my health and a fuller understanding of just how the nutrient content of traditionally raised animal foods differed from the animal foods that resulted from industrial processes, I absolved myself of that lingering guilt to the overall benefit of my general health.

CAFO stands for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, and it means just that. The animals are concentrated together within a very confined space and fed. They are fed, however, an unnatural diet and that concentration equates to confinement. The confinement coupled with the poor and inadequate diet results in poor and inadequately nutritive meat.

Cows begin their lives in the fields and they are, generally speaking, grass-fed from the beginning. And though that beginning is right, the end is not. They are eventually transferred from the fields where they can graze on their natural diet of grasses to a concentrated operation in which they’re fed a slurry of corn, soy, antibiotics and sometime even candy. Yes, you read that right: candy as in gummy bears and lemon drops. You see, the unnatural living conditions and unnatural diet make them so ill that it is more effective to simply treat every cow with antibiotics than on a case-by-case basis.

As the cows are fed on an unnatural slurry, their meat loses much of its nutritive value. Indeed, by the time the animal is slaughtered its meat is virtually devoid of those powerhouses of health: Omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, the meat of these animals is lacking in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is known to fight cancer. Then there’s vitamin E. Animals in concentrated operations are systematically supplemented with extra vitamin E, yet their meat contains significantly less of the vitamin than the meat of grass-finished animals who never receive such unnatural supplementation.
Beyond the nutritional differences, there’s the very real issue of pathogenic bacteria. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that we harbor know odd concerns over bacteria; rather, we encourage its proliferation in a variety of foods; however, like everyone else we’re concerned about pathogens. E. Coli is a real and dangerous threat, yet cows grazing on their natural diets are unlikely to be contaminated by the bacteria as compared to CAFO-animals. Indeed, one study indicated that animals in concentrated operations harbor 314 times the amount of E Coli bacteria cells per gram than animals that are grass-fed. Further data indicates that the acid-resistant forms of these bacteria are virtually non-existent in grass-fed animals.

 

Grass Fed Beef, pork, chicken is always more expensive which can be a drawback.
Fields of Atheny is a local Loudoun farm that has online forms to fill out for ordering and will deliver if you do not want to pick up.

 

i would pay more any day for grass fed. i hate the conditions many animals have to suffer through, but not enough to give up my burgers.... sorry....

 

I've noticed that when I pay more for local, humanely-raised meat or dairy, there's a lot less waste. No leftovers are thrown away if you're paying more for your food. I've become very creative

If you're interested in local meat, you may want to look into this;


http://www.FarmBuyersClub.com

I've used them for chicken, beef, eggs and got my Thanksgiving turkey from them last year (the best turkey I ever made!).

 

Hi,

If you are interested in grass fed meats and free range poultry, I can furnish you with info. Our Dexter cattle (a dual-purposed breed for milk and beef) will be slaughtered in the next few months at a local USDA inspected plant in Fauquier County, VA (near our Loudoun County farm).

Until then, I can provide info on where to buy grass fed meats, etc., from one of our Mennonite friend's farm next door to our farm. We are not quite set-up yet to offer our products. We are taking our livestock to slaughter next month or so.

Contact me or PM me here on this thread. I can give away some heritage breed eggs from our poultry this Fall if you wish try them for free. PM for details.

Foodie

P. S. Our farm store will up and running by Fall 2010 or Winter 2011.

Katie

 

I've been buying local meat from Lothar at a centreville farmers market, a. Mazing! Mostly pork, some beef, no chicken. I am very interested in local meat, I've already switched to local produce and the difference in flavor is so great, I don't mind spending a buck or two more.

But we are only 3, and we don't eat enough to be in a co-op, we never know when we are eating at home, so I shop euro style, 2-3 meals at a time, 2-3 a week. As you pointesd out, little waste and the best freshest quality.

 

We joined a meat CSA at Chicama Run in Purcellville. They have a "Just the Two of Us" plan which feeds my family of 3 just fine. We get eggs, beef and pork. There is a chicken option, but we didn't sign up for that. Worth a look if you want to do the CSA thing.

 

Lothar, of the hill people?

 

http://www.chicamarun.com/

 

hmmm- too obscure of a reference for ME, but Lothar Erbe is a massive German farmer in LoCo who makes the most amazing sausages and schwenk steaks I have ever tasted! and he is a really nice guy, so is his wife. find them on facebook... tell them the thai sausage with cheese grits lady sent you!

 

Here's a good website, http://onlygrassfed.com/, with tips on how to cook grassfed beef. It needs a different approach than grain fed beef.

 

Years ago I had a friend whose dad would get fresh pig sausage in the fall. they'd invite me over for dining on it and man was that an amzing foodie experience. Nothing like the crap they sell in the store.

 

looooo-thar, of the hilllllll people!!
god what is that from??? was it snl? i can hear the song in my head!!! i can't remember....guess i'll google it!

 

heh yeah, early 90s SNL I think... good times!

 

If you are interested in grass-fed beef, grass-fed lamb, or all-natural chicken or pork raised without antibiotics or pesticides, I work with a local farm called Fields of Athenry www.fieldsofathenryfarm.com that provides all of the above. You do not need to belong to a buying club and there is no minimum order. Even better, if you order from FOA and ask for Broadlands pick-up then you can pick up your order in the neighborhood from my house on Fridays. I pick up all of the orders designated for Broadlands every week and the cutomers pick up their orders from my garage fridge Friday afternoon (and I can accommodate Friday evening pick-ups if you call me). You can also pay a fee and have the farm deliver your order to your door.

FOA is a farm in Purcellville just passed Oatlands, and they do a really strong business here in Broadlands/Ashburn in addition to providing meats to Tuscarora Mills, American Flatbread, Vintage 50 and Vintage 51. Excellent meat and poultry but also the most incredibly creamy butter - salted or unsalted - whole-milk cheeses and farm-raised eggs from free range chickens. Really, these chickens are in the owner's, Elaine's, backyard and you will undoubtedly see these egg hens if you visit the farm.

Please PM if you want more information or suggestions about her products. To order:
1. visit www.fieldsofathenryfarm.com and click on Pre-Order and Product List
2. Order by Sunday night for Friday delivery
3. Visit me on Friday with a check to pick up an order

Happy eating.
Dusti