After producing meat using the traditional grain-fed way and gradually trying grass-fed, we found that the tastiest beef is that which is produced as nature intended: grass fed.
100% Plants:
Cattle are natural herbivores. Our animals are raised naturally on free-range pastures. They are 100% plant-fed. From late April to October, our cows graze on our grass/clover pastures. In wintertime, they are fed our own hay. All of our fields are pesticide free!
Helps the Environment
Buying from us means your meat has to travel only from us to the butcher, then to you, instead of being trucked all over the country, from ranchers to feedlots, then meat packers, then central distribution centers, then the grocery store! Because we don't rely on pesticides and herbicides to grow our pastures, not only is our meat healthier for you, but it's healthier for our world.
Ecological System
Another benefit to the environment is the way our cows work within their ecosystem to maintain the natural environment. The Sierra Club endorses grass-fed beef because the ecological advantages or raising cattle on pasture are becoming more and more evident.
"Spared of the necessity of antibiotics and pesticides, grass-fed beef is also friendlier to the environment. Ranchers in the grass-fed market tend to be keen stewards of the land, concerned with proper grazing techniques and the nurturing of native grasses. Indeed, many such ranchers think of themselves as grass farmers first, cattle ranchers second."
Extra Omega-3s
Meat from grass-fed animals has two to four times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain- fed animals. Omega-3s are called "good fats" because they play a vital role in every cell and system in your body. Omega 3's are essential for maintaining good health, preventing disease and are beneficial in treating many diseases. Of all the fats, they are the most heart-friendly.
People who have ample amounts of omega-3s in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat. Remarkably, they are also 50 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack. Omega-3s are essential for your brain as well. People with a diet rich in omega-3s are less likely to suffer from depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity), or Alzheimer's disease.
Another benefit of omega-3s is that they are beneficial in reducing the risk of cancer. Studies have shown that Omega 3s slow the growth of a wide array of cancers. Omega 3's act as essential antioxidants in the body and fight the inflammation process, thereby preventing cancer in damaged cells.
Studies also show that having the right balance of Omega 3s in your diet is also important. Traditionally, grain fed beef is higher in Omega 6 fatty acids and lower in Omega 3's. Because Omega 6s are pro-inflammatory (i.e. they encourage the inflammation process that can lead to cancer) diets high in Omega 6s pose a much higher risk for cancer. Conversely, diets high in Omega 3s have the opposite effect, providing cells with protection against cancer.
Grass-fed beef is better for human health than grain-fed beef in ten different ways, according to the most comprehensive analysis to date. The 2009 study was a joint effort between the USDA and researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina. Compared with grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef was:
- Lower in total fat
- Higher in Vitamin A
- Higher in Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
- Higher in the B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin
- Higher in the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium
- Higher in total omega-3s
- A healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids
- Higher in CLA (cis-9 trans-11), a potential cancer fighter
- Higher in vaccenic acid (which can be transformed into CLA)
- Lower in the saturated fats linked with heart disease