Grass-fed beef can seem confusing at first. How does it vary from other types of meat? Why is the pricing different?
We checked in with information provided by the experts at Lifestyle Markets to get to the bottom of it. Here are six things we learned.
1 – The Cattle are Ethically Raised
The process behind grass-fed beef focuses on ethically raising cattle. The cattle experience exercise, fresh air, socialization, and regiments ensuring they’re treated humanely. While this may result in “six to 12 months longer to reach market weight”, they consume food free of “hormones, synthetic pesticides, and herbicides”.
2 – Grass Fed Beef is High in Nutrients
One of the more surprising findings was the level of health benefits, alongside ethical ones, that grass-fed beef demonstrated. The USDA found that grass-fed beef featured reduced levels of fat, greater levels of Omega-3, and higher levels of CLA “(A potential cancer fighter)”.
3 – Grass Fed Beef Doesn’t Require More Land
A common misconception is that grass-fed beef uses excessive amounts of land. However, thanks to cutting-edge farming processes, this claim is unfounded. In the article ‘Sustainable Meat: No Myth’ Joel Salatin notes that “Many farmers, in many different climates, are now using space-age technology, biomimicry, and close management to get exponential increases in forage production.” Bio-mimicry works by emulating processes found in nature. Information provided by Lifestyle Markets notes that “agricultural systems which mimic stable natural ecosystems – rather than the weedy crops common to many modern agricultural systems – can… even improve the water and soil resources upon which all future agriculture depends.”
4 – Grass-Fed Beef is Becoming Increasingly Popular
In response to these benefits, people are embracing the grass-fed movement. The Weston A. Price Foundation notes that this comes from people valuing the increased healthy fats in animals. President Sally Morel states that the grass-fed beef means that “animals are truly outside eating green grass.” Since this video’s publishing in 2012, the market for grass-fed beef has grown and is here to stay.
5 – Take Grass-Fed Beef to the Next Level with Grass-Finished Beef
If you want to take grass-fed beef to the next level, consider grass-finished beef. Typically, grass-fed cattle consume grass until moving to a feedlot for grain finishing. Grass-finished cattle, however, consume grass for their entire life. This highly specialized process, in turn, gives you beef with higher amounts of omega-3 and Vitamin-E than grass-fed beef.
6 – Grass-Fed Beef Supports Local Living
Perks like these and many more are why Lifestyle Markets chose to partner with companies at the cutting edge of beef, such as Victorian Farms. These food veterans have succeeded in the meat business for over 25 years. They live by the mantra “Keep it fresh, Keep it Local and Keep coming back.” Next time you shop at Lifestyle Markets, not only are you supporting your taste buds, but also Victoria’s vibrant food community.
Win a $100 Lifestyle Markets Gift Card!
Contest
Enter to win a $100 Lifestyle Markets gift card by doing at least one of the following:
- Like Lifestyle Markets on Facebook and let us know once you have in the comments below. (1 entry)
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Learn more about grass-fed beef & WIN a $100 @LifestyleMkts gift card via @victoriabuzzes by following the steps: http://bit.ly/2vuAVpb
Contest closes on August 31st, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
