The Implications Of Grass-Fed Beef Farms

By Minnie Whitley


Before 1990, numerous farmers used to fatten their animals by feeding them on grain and soy in addition to different supplements. They provided the supplements to the animals in the feedlots. But recently, there has been a developing pattern among farmers in having the cattle on ranches at home. They are then provided with grass pasture. Farms that offer such native feeding to its animals is what is referred to as a grass-fed beef farms.

These ranchers do not resort to hormone treatment of their animals and neither do they feed them with growth promoting additives. This treatment is responsible for the growth of the animals at a natural pace. They hence live a low stress life which makes them very healthy and needless of antibiotic or any other drug treatment.

The main importance of this sort of farming is derived from its highly nutritious and healthy products. Pasture fed beef, when compared with grain fed beef; contain far less aggregate fat, calories, cholesterol and saturated fat. It has high content of beta carotene and vitamins E and C in addition to other healthy fats.

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 animal study suggests further that the people with cancer and having high levels of this acid in their tissues are likely to respond well to chemotherapy. This is opposed to people having low omega 3 levels.Omega 3 is contained and formed in green leaves (in chloroplasts). This explains why pasture-fed animals stand a high chance of having more omegas compared to grain fed animals.

The practice, however requires knowledge and skill as opposed to just sending the animals to a feedlot. In order for the pasture fed animals to be more succulent and tender, they need to feed on grass and legumes of high quality. This is particularly the case in the months before the slaughter. This natural and nutritious diet relies on a healthy soil, together with a careful pasture management to maintain the plants at an optimal growth stage. The quality of the pasture is the sole determiner of the quality of animal products. It is therefore important for the farmer to raise great grass.

In spite of the fact that the grain, animal products are fairly affordable and convenient, the profoundly mechanized operations employed have produced much concern. The practice abuses and stresses the animals. It also misuses such drugs as antibiotics and hormones and results in produce with low nutritional value.

Although the practice of raising livestock on grass is seen as a paradigm shift from the modern ranching, it is, out of doubt, a return to a balanced and secure system. When intending to eat meat, it is upon you to make a choice, as a word of advice, remember to make the healthiest choice. Choosing products from a pasture fed farm reduces environmental degradation, promotes small scale farmers and enhances the health of your family. It is a win-win-win situation.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment