Grass Fed Beef

Grass-fed Basics
Grass-fed cattle graze on foliage that is composed of grasses and pasture, which composes a vast majority of their diet. These cattle are also called pasture-raised cattle, making the milk or beef they produced termed pasture-raised products. This is in comparison to cattle that graze on supplements, soy, and grain. A current debates surrounds the idea of providing cattle with a specific diet; either grain-fed or grass-fed only. Political titles circulate around specific wording for grass-fed cattle, including the words organic, natural, or free range.

The term organic does not necessarily means that the cattle were raised on grass, so this label is not normally used when describing grass-fed beef. Some cattle may, in fact, eat organic grain, which is not the same as consuming grass, and is quite similar to cattle that are fed on ordinary grain. Free range, on the other hand, does not necessarily include the food in which the cattle eat. The term grass-finished includes both grazing on only grass or previously grazing on grain and later changing to grass.

Fat Breakdown
American society has named the consumption of beef as a negative trait because of its high amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol. Recent studies have shown that grass-fed cattle produce beef with less fat. These studies show that cows' bodies were designed to eat grass, rather than grain, and produce better produces as such.

Grain has a more negative effect on the cows' systems, leading to fattier products. These products can have fat contents ranging from thirty-five to seventy-five percent, in comparison to grass-fed beef that has a ten percent or lesser amount. Most of this fat is saturated fat and unhealthy. The ratio of omega-3 fatty acids in grass-fed cattle are significantly lower than grain-fed cattle and are even comparable to that of fish.

Health Benefits
Grass-fed beef has nearly four times as much omega-3 fatty acids as grain-fed beef as well as more unsaturated fat and lower saturated fat levels. Grass-fed beef also has higher Conjugated Linoleic Acids contents and four hundred percent more vitamin E and A levels. Because these cows graze on pasture, there is literally no risk of contracting Mad Cow Disease.

Purchase
Organic, grain-fed beef can be found at a local grocery and can cost twice as much as normal, grain-fed beef. At times grass-fed beef cannot be purchased in the supermarket. Finding a local rancher can be the best option. This kind of purchase excludes the middle-man and eliminates shipping costs.

Since most people do not have access to local ranchers, companies have been provided. Many of these exist through the Internet and have varying costs and shipping rates. Some of these sites include wide ranges of beef cuts including New York Strip Steaks, filet mignon, beef patties, and rump roasts. The meat is usually flash-frozen and vacuum packaged to eliminate freezer burn threats and maintain fresh flavor for about six months.

Many states have their own companies to provide local grass-fed beef to their citizens. Some companies also provide organic grain-fed beef and other forms of livestock, including chicken.