In order to achieve maximum weight gain in the shortest time possible with minimal cost, most factories resolve to an intensive cattle production method where thousands of cattle are confined in dirt feedlots and the main feeding diet is grain-based with hormones to contribute to faster growth rate. This method however raises a number of concerns including increased greenhouse gas emissions and unhealthy meat products. This has largely contributed to increased demand of products from grass-fed beef farms.
The farms raising cattle on grass or pasture normally allow animals to forage over a vast land area. Through this method, cattle feed on their natural diet of grass and legumes making it the most humane way of raising animals. Through this method however, it is not easy for animals to quickly gain weight and farmers usually resort to art and science of raising pasture for animals. This requires very fertile soils and pasture maintenance skills.
There are many reasoned why consumers today prefer beef from cattle raised on pasture as opposed to those raised in dirty feedlots where the main diet is grains. The major benefit of this kind of farming is the nutritional value associated with the resulting meat products. For instance, the meat is tenderer and has smaller proportion of total fats and saturated fats in particular. The level of calories and cholesterol is also lower making it a healthier alternative. The quantity of vitamin C and E is higher with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene among several other important nutrients that are necessary for proper body functioning.
In order to achieve maximum weight with grass, the farmers need skills that cut across scientific knowledge and acquired art. The target is to raise healthy grass for animal to graze on particularly in months preceding slaughtering time. In order to grow such high quality grass and legumes, there must be proper land management practices and healthy soils. This is in addition to skillful pasture management that targets to utilize pasture when at the optimal growth stage.
The issue of stress is also a major concern as it affects the final product that ends up on the table. Stress develops when several animals are confined in dirty feedlots where movement is restricted. The major factor that causes stress is the sudden change from normal diet of pasture to grains and other unnatural diet designed for faster weight gain.
A common disorder resulting from stress is subacute acidosis that is very painful. Antibiotics and other chemicals are used to manage these conditions. The problem is that antibiotics are most likely to be misused and bacteria develop resistance to the drugs. The new strains of bacteria can be very difficult to deal with when they affect humans.
As already said, feedlots cattle are responsible for the highest percentages of E. Coli and Listeria, both which are bacterial diseases that are less noticed in grass fed beef cattle. Campylobacter bacterial is also most likely to be present in feedlot (58%) than pasture fed cattle with only 2%. This bacterial is known symptoms such as muscle pain, upset stomach, fever and headache.
The scientific research also concludes that allowing animals to forage over a vast piece of land is an environmentally friendly way of keeping cattle. It preserves soils and results to lower greenhouse gas emissions. It is also humane to animals and is recommended by the Animal Welfare Approved standards of animal husbandry practices.
The farms raising cattle on grass or pasture normally allow animals to forage over a vast land area. Through this method, cattle feed on their natural diet of grass and legumes making it the most humane way of raising animals. Through this method however, it is not easy for animals to quickly gain weight and farmers usually resort to art and science of raising pasture for animals. This requires very fertile soils and pasture maintenance skills.
There are many reasoned why consumers today prefer beef from cattle raised on pasture as opposed to those raised in dirty feedlots where the main diet is grains. The major benefit of this kind of farming is the nutritional value associated with the resulting meat products. For instance, the meat is tenderer and has smaller proportion of total fats and saturated fats in particular. The level of calories and cholesterol is also lower making it a healthier alternative. The quantity of vitamin C and E is higher with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene among several other important nutrients that are necessary for proper body functioning.
In order to achieve maximum weight with grass, the farmers need skills that cut across scientific knowledge and acquired art. The target is to raise healthy grass for animal to graze on particularly in months preceding slaughtering time. In order to grow such high quality grass and legumes, there must be proper land management practices and healthy soils. This is in addition to skillful pasture management that targets to utilize pasture when at the optimal growth stage.
The issue of stress is also a major concern as it affects the final product that ends up on the table. Stress develops when several animals are confined in dirty feedlots where movement is restricted. The major factor that causes stress is the sudden change from normal diet of pasture to grains and other unnatural diet designed for faster weight gain.
A common disorder resulting from stress is subacute acidosis that is very painful. Antibiotics and other chemicals are used to manage these conditions. The problem is that antibiotics are most likely to be misused and bacteria develop resistance to the drugs. The new strains of bacteria can be very difficult to deal with when they affect humans.
As already said, feedlots cattle are responsible for the highest percentages of E. Coli and Listeria, both which are bacterial diseases that are less noticed in grass fed beef cattle. Campylobacter bacterial is also most likely to be present in feedlot (58%) than pasture fed cattle with only 2%. This bacterial is known symptoms such as muscle pain, upset stomach, fever and headache.
The scientific research also concludes that allowing animals to forage over a vast piece of land is an environmentally friendly way of keeping cattle. It preserves soils and results to lower greenhouse gas emissions. It is also humane to animals and is recommended by the Animal Welfare Approved standards of animal husbandry practices.
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