Grass-Fed Beef vs. Grain-Fed

We, here at McK Ranch, have been inundated with questions regarding proper cooking methods of grass-fed beef. In an effort to address one of our consumers’ main concerns, we will be posting, in the near future, recipes that will allow you to fully enjoy our beef by adjusting cooking times and temperatures appropriately. In the meantime, we will attempt to address the primary difference between grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef.

The main difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef (and the most important) is the food on which they are raised. Why is this so important? Cows are ruminants. They are not carnivores nor were their digestive systems designed to consume large quantities of grain. Their digestive systems were designed to extract nutrients from grasses and hay by utilizing the multiple compartments of their stomachs. This multi-step process accomplishes not only the extraction of important nutrients, but also leads to an increase in saliva production which naturally buffers the animal’s digestive system against excessive acid and facilitates a harmonious and beneficial level of microbes necessary for proper digestion. A decrease in microbial population can render an animal unable to digest forage foods natural to their diet. (http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p2503.pdf, “High Concentrate Feedstuffs – Grains; page 5)

Feedlot livestock are generally fed a diet high not only in concentrated feedstuffs (grains), but GMO grains which have been found to trigger inflammatory responses in both animals and humans. This is because these grains have been engineered to produce “…"Bt" pesticide in every cell--and in every bite.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/will-genetically-modified_b_145320.html; Smith, Jeffrey; Author & Founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology; Nov., 20, 2008) In addition, it has been a common practice to add animal bi-products to livestock feed which has been linked to BSE (mad cow disease). (http://www.britishmeat.com/american-meat/index.html, Simon, Stephanie; “Mad Cow Disease Casts Light on Cow Uses”; L.A. Times 4 January 2004) Again, cows are NOT carnivores!

If you are what you eat, and you’re eating pesticide laden foods…

Another difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef is the way in which they are raised. Being natural foragers, how much sense does it make to raise them in feedlots with hundreds of other animals competing for food in an environment that promotes disease, air and land pollution, and the dissolution of family farms that can’t compete with “big business”? Our cows are raised in the pasture the way nature intended, in wide open fields, with plenty of sunshine and room to forage. A pasture raised animal will produce succulent meat because they are not stressed, diseased, or rendered toxic by the effects of grains – especially GMOs. In addition, studies have found that grass-fed beef supplies a substantially elevated amount of Omega 6/3 and CLA and decreased levels of saturated fats compared to grain-fed beef. (http://www.csuchico.edu/agr/grassfedbeef/health-benefits/)

Our agenda is this: to produce the same healthy product for our consumers that our family enjoys in a sustainable fashion that will allow future generations to enjoy the land that we have conscientiously tended. We support other sustainable farms by partnering with them to offer CSA (consumer supported agriculture) delivery options that give you a choice of meat/poultry and eggs.

Don’t take our word for it. Do the research, do the math, and then make the decision to feed your family a high-quality, conscientiously raised protein: grass-fed beef.