Many of our customers land on our website because you are looking for “grass-fed beef.” Or maybe even “grass-fed, grass-finished beef.” We’re so glad you found us, because that’s what we are proud to raise.
You may be surprised to learn that the word “grass-fed” means … just about nothing. In labeling, folks say, “All cattle eat grass at some point in their lives.” So apparently farmers can finish their beef with the industry-standard ration of corn and soy, and still slap a “grass-fed beef” label on their meat.
I’ve even read several stories telling of tons of Skittles or other expired candy being fed to cattle, with animal feeding experts verifying it as a valid feed source because the high-fructose corn syrup can provide “all the right nutrition” for cattle.
Oof.
The “grass-finished” label is a bit more clear, indicating that instead of being finished on grain, as is typical, the cattle continue to eat pasture grasses and hay.
However, I’m amazed to hear the things that “grass-finished” cattle are eating. I read an article a few years ago — in a publication for grass-based beef farmers! — in which a “grass-finished” beef producer was going to share their secrets for finishing their cattle quickly at some impressive weights.
I flipped to the article with interest only to find that the secret method included feeding all kinds of waste dairy products to their cattle.
What?
If you were thinking grass-fed, grass-finished beef were just out on pasture eating grasses and other plants grown for grazing; or in a sheltered yard during the winter months, eating hay from those pastures, then we’re on the same page with you.
We don’t feed our cattle any grains like corn or soy. We don’t feed them GMOs. They’re not gulping down whey or candy. We feed them hay and they eat grasses on pasture.
We don’t take shortcuts, so it takes us two years or more to get a steer to finishing weight. But we’re proud to put our name on the beef from that steer.
If you’re wondering why grass-fed, grass-finished beef matters to us, I’ll give you just one of many reasons: It’s what cattle are designed to eat. It’s their natural diet.
Most beef in this country are fed corn at the end of their lives to fatten them quickly — which causes digestive issues that can lead to illness and even death. To deal with that, many farmers lean on medications to keep their cattle healthy.
We prefer to keep our cattle healthy by feeding them the foods they’re designed to eat. And we think it results in a truly delicious meat that you can feel good about eating.
Thanks so much for voting for a system you believe in. You do that every time you buy our beef.
-Tanya
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