The Beef Breakdown: Unveiling the Truth Behind Grass-Finished, Grain-Finished, and CAFO Beef

Ready to sink your teeth into the beefy details?

Today, we're dishing out the skinny on grass-fed, grain-finished, grass-finished, and CAFO beef, so grab a seat and get ready to feast your eyes (and stomachs) on this meaty topic.

Prepare yourself because this post is going to throw out a lot of beef terms you may or may not be familiar with. But don't worry, I explain it all in digestible information.

Grass-Finished Beef: Nature's Finest 

Imagine a world where cows roam free, grazing on verdant pastures, and basking in the sunshine. That's the life of grass-fed, grass-finished beef. 

From start to finish, these pasture-raised beauties munch on a diet exclusively of grass and forage, resulting in meat that's not just delicious but also packed with wholesome goodness. 

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, grass-fed, grass-finished (pasture-finished) beef is a nutritional powerhouse that'll leave you craving more.

It is the absolute best beef you could purchase. However, 100% grass fed beef is hard to find. Why? Because most of the cattle in the market today have been bred to consume grain and put on weight fast. 

You cannot turn a grain dependent cow into a 100% grass fed cow and expect it to thrive within its lifetime. This is poor animal husbandry.

However, you can breed a herd for these genetics, but it takes a really long time (10+ years). We have some amazing colleagues who have done just this so we know it can be done, but not overnight.

I talk more about the grass to grain history below.

Pros:

• Healthiest beef, rich in omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals.
• Cows roam freely and eat a natural diet of grass and forage.
• Environmentally friendly and supports regenerative agriculture.
• No antibiotics or hormones used.

Cons:

• Hard to find as most beef is grain-fed for faster weight gain.
• More expensive due to longer production time.
• Requires specific genetics that can take over a decade to breed.

Grain-Finished Beef: Best of Both Worlds

Now, let's talk about grain-finished beef. These cows start off on the pasture, soaking up all the benefits of grass-fed goodness.

But as they near maturity, they receive a supplementary diet of grains to enhance marbling and flavor. The result? A marriage of the best of both worlds – the rich, earthy taste of grass-fed beef with a touch of sweetness from the grains. It's like a flavor symphony for your taste buds.

This type of beef is readily available in most areas. And most farmers practice this by rotating their herd through different paddocks in the pasture.

However, as we always say... know your farmer to know your food. It is very important to understand what you are purchasing and consuming so that you can feel confident feeding your family.

Pros:

• Combines the health benefits of grass-fed beef with enhanced marbling and flavor from grains.
• More readily available than grass-finished beef.
• Generally less expensive while still offering a higher quality than CAFO beef.

Cons:

• Less nutritious compared to 100% grass-finished beef.
• May still involve antibiotics or hormones depending on the producer (hint: know your farmer).
• Some farms prioritize profit over animal welfare.

The REAL Scoop on Grass-fed:

So here's the thing... Most beef start their lives out on grass. It is how they are finished that determines things like flavor, animal welfare, environmental considerations, etc.

Back in 2006, the USDA published the grass fed label standard in the Federal Register. However in 2016, the USDA revoked the grass fed label standard. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which approves meat labels, required only a producer-signed "contract" to enforce the standard. 

This made the term confusing for consumers and producers. The USDA claimed that the change wouldn't affect consumers or producers, but some say that the term is now more open to interpretation.

In order to qualify for the USDA grass-fed label today, cattle must be fed only mother’s milk and forage (grass and other greens) during their lifetime. The forage can be grazed or consumed as hay or other stored forage.

Also, the cattle must have access to pasture “during the growing season.” 

But here is the kicker... Meat can qualify for the grass-fed shield even if the animals are confined to a pen and fed hay for months out of the year - and they can be given hormones plus a steady diet of antibiotics.

Because of this, some third-party labels, like American Grass-fed Association, have standards for zero antibiotic and hormone usage.

If you're looking for truly grass fed beef in big box stores, you can look for labels that say 100% grass fed or have the American Grass-fed Association label. This indicates that the animals were raised on grass for their entire lives after weaning.

However, we still believe it is more important to know your values so you can find a farmer who has the same values, get to know them and their practices so you can trust your food.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs): The Dark Side of Beef Production

But wait, there's a villain in our beefy tale – CAFOs. These industrial giants prioritize profit over everything else, cramming cows into overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and feeding them a cocktail of antibiotics and hormones. 

Not only is this harmful to the animals' well-being, but it also takes a toll on the environment and, ultimately, your health. Say no to CAFO beef and yes to a more sustainable, ethical alternative.

This beef is what you find in the grocery store, for really cheap. Ever heard the saying "you get what you pay for"? Well, it definitely applies here.

Pros:

• Extremely cheap and readily available in grocery stores.
• Cows gain weight quickly, leading to faster production cycles.

Cons:

• Animals are kept in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.
• Heavy use of antibiotics and hormones.
• Harmful to the environment and contributes to poor animal welfare.
• Less nutritious and potentially harmful for human health.

Grass to Grain History: How Did We Get Here

Back in the good ol' days, before the mid-twentieth century, cattle were living their best lives, munching on grasses and clovers like nature intended.

The only grains they got were those tiny grass seeds that popped up seasonally, keeping their diet as natural as can be. But then, things took a turn.

With the rise of combine harvesters and the booming beef industry, everything changed. Suddenly, it was all about fast weight gain, with producers chasing after the quickest results. 

These nifty machines made mountains of wheat, oats, and corn easily accessible and cheap, tempting ranchers to switch up the menu for their cows.

Just imagine: it's like us lounging on the couch for 150-180 days straight, munching on potato chips non-stop. Yep, you guessed it – those cows beef up fast in feedlots, thanks to a similar system. But here's the kicker: at what price?

Think about it - sure, speedy weight gain might sound appealing, but what about the trade-offs? That's the question we need to chew on.

Why Grass-Fed is Better for Everyone Involved

Now, let's get to the meat of the matter – why grass-fed is the superior choice for the herd, the environment, and most importantly, you, the consumer.

• For the Herd: Grass-fed cows lead happier, healthier lives, free to roam and graze as nature intended. Say goodbye to cramped feedlots and hello to open pastures and blue skies.
• For the Environment: Grass-fed farming practices promote soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, making it a more sustainable choice for the planet. By choosing grass-fed beef, you're reducing your carbon footprint and supporting regenerative agriculture.
• For YOU: Grass-fed beef isn't just better for the cows and the environment – it's better for you too! Packed with essential nutrients and free from harmful additives, grass-fed beef is a wholesome, nutritious option that'll leave you feeling satisfied and guilt-free.

So, there it is – the beef breakdown you've been craving. Whether you're a die-hard grass-fed fan or curious about the grass-fed, grain-finished option, one thing's for sure: it's time to take a stand for better beef.

So, what are you waiting for? Let's make the switch to grass-fed and savor the flavor of a healthier, happier future – one steak at a time.

Click here to buy your grass-fed beef.