Marketing is everywhere. It’s necessary for small businesses to grow because it goes part in parcel with selling the products you have to offer. However, it can be downright confusing and, when it comes to some things it can be purposefully deceptive. This is long but, we hope you stick with us till the end.
We love everything about our beef stock. They’re heritage bred, all registered, awesome foragers, and they’re part of the wonderful circle of life here that keeps our family and the Rime Farm community fed. We chose them specifically for all the genetic attributes they have. They’re breeding is biodiverse and it helps to regenerate our sustainable farm. They’re 100% grass-fed. In fact, they eat only certified organic grass haylage and certified organic alfalfa baleage from the time they are born until the day they go to the USDA-inspected processor. Seems great right? What about other claims on packages that are less expensive than ours? We know times are tight so, we’d like to expound on what the differences are.
Much of the beef sold in big box stores, at a lower price point, are dairy cows primarily raised for milk production. When a dairy cow is no longer able to produce milk at a profitable level (because of age or deteriorating health), it may be sold as beef for human and/or pet industry consumption. Because dairy cows are typically harvested at an older age compared to beef cattle the older animal results in tougher meat.
The diet in which the animal consumes for most of its life plays a significant role in the flavor, quality, and nutrition of the meat, too. Dairy cows can be raised exclusively (or mostly) on cattle cubes and grain rations unless it’s explicitly stated that the dairy cow is raised, and finished 100% on pasture (more on this in a minute). The contents of the cattle cubes can be suspect and they are constantly under fire. (Mad cow disease was a result of big producers rendering dead cattle and using that as an ingredient in cattle rations.)
Remember that larger dairy farms are profitable when their feed conversion ratios are high. In general, dairy cattle are fed grain as part of their diet because milk production is challenging and grass-fed dairying is extremely challenging. As the amount of pasture in the cows’ diet increases, milk production decreases. An energy imbalance occurs when grains are removed from the diet and so, most dairy farms in the US rely heavily on grain to stay profitable.
Setting dairy cattle aside, beef cattle producers have incentives to grow their stock heavier and more quickly to become more profitable. They do that by quickly raising fast growing breeds on a diet of mostly corn and soy. As a result, grain-fed beef is usually cheaper and more readily available than grass-fed. Grass fed and grain finished beef breeds are much slower growing.
Here are more considerations:
- The cattle raised on grain (dairy or beef) have an increased risk of digestive problems: Cattle that are fed a diet high in grains, especially corn and soy, are more prone to digestive problems such as acidosis and bloat. These conditions can lead to discomfort, reduced feed intake, and even death in severe cases. In other words, they’re sickly.
- Reduced nutrient density: Grass-fed cattle have been shown to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and other beneficial nutrients compared to grain-fed cattle. A diet high in grains can lead to a reduction in these beneficial nutrients, potentially impacting the nutritional value of beef.
- Increased risk of bacterial contamination: Grain-fed cattle are often kept in close quarters, which can be overcrowded and unsanitary. This can increase the risk of bacterial contamination, including E. coli and Salmonella, which can be harmful to humans if the beef is not cooked properly.
- Increased use of antibiotics: Grain-fed cattle are often given antibiotics to prevent or treat illness, as well as to promote growth. Overuse of antibiotics in livestock can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be difficult to treat in both animals and humans.
- Environmental impact: The production of grain-based feed for livestock requires significant amounts of water, energy, and other resources, which can have a negative impact on the environment. Additionally, the waste produced by feedlots can contribute to pollution and other environmental problems.
Beef selection is further complicated with labeling. For example, beef critters can be raised on organic grains. They still may suffer from much of the above negative impacts but, because the package says organic, the consumer believes they are getting a superior and more nutritious product. Grain, organic or not, is not a natural dietary choice for cattle.
All natural is also a misnomer. The term “all natural” is not regulated by the USDA, which means that there are no specific guidelines or requirements for products that use this label. As a result, some beef products labeled “all natural” may include deceptive practices, such as:
- Use of antibiotics: Some beef products labeled “all natural” may have been treated with antibiotics during their lifetime. This is because the term “all natural” does not specifically exclude the use of antibiotics, and some producers may use them to treat or prevent illness in their cattle.
- Use of hormones: Similarly, some beef products labeled “all natural” may have been treated with hormones to promote growth. While the USDA requires that all beef be free of added hormones, this only applies to beef labeled as “no hormones added” or “raised without hormones.”
- Feed additives: The term “all natural” does not necessarily mean that the cattle were fed a completely natural diet. Some producers may use feed additives such as ionophores, which are not considered antibiotics but may still impact the nutritional profile of the beef.
- Processing: The term “all natural” only applies to the beef itself and does not necessarily reflect the processing methods used. Some beef products labeled “all natural” may still contain additives or preservatives used during processing.
To ensure that you are getting the most accurate information about the beef you consume, it is important to look for additional labeling information, such as “no antibiotics added” or “grass-fed.”
Which leads us to grass-fed. The term “grass-fed” can be deceptive when it comes to beef labeling because there is no universal definition or standard for what it means. Not all grass-fed beef is 100% grass-fed. Some producers may use the term “grass-fed” even if their cattle have been fed a combination of grass and grain. To ensure that you are getting 100% grass-fed beef, look for additional labeling information, such as “grass-fed and grass-finished.” Ideally, you would like to see:
Local
100% pasture-raised
Fed 100% certified organic grass/alfalfa haylage
Finished on 100% certified organic grass/alfalfa
Raised exclusively for beef
No antibiotics
No hormones
Dispatched in its prime (under 3 years of age)
Packaged locally at a USDA inspected processor
That’s what you get at small family farms like Rime.
Our cattle are not dairy breeds. They’re not old, not sick, and not given grain, antibiotics, hormones, or other chemicals ever. They are kept healthy by ensuring they have clean bedding, have access to clean tested well water, have shelter from the elements, and are tended to daily. We have a bio-security plan which means we don’t introduce beef cattle from auctions or other farms on to our farm where they can infect and contaminate our stock with bovine diseases. They’re born here.
It’s a lot to consider. We hope you ask questions and, if you have more, feel free to reach out to us at info@rimefarm.com
