McNeil Ranch's Diamond F Brand Beef cattle grazing happily

When you are buying grass fed beef, it is important to know exactly what you are looking for!

Important Update!
Since this article was written and posted, the USDA has adopted marketing claims standards for grass (forage) fed. Therefore some of the premises of this article are no longer true, but the information here is as important and timely as ever. So I have left it in its original form. You can read about the new adopted standards at the link above.

So, read on knowing that things have changed since this article was written. CHM

Because the USDA has no standardized definition of grass fed, usage of the term is all over the map and doesn't mean much.

The health benefits are in the finishing!

You've heard about the health benefits of eating grass fed, but actually the real health benefits are from meat that has been grass finished! Finishing means the fattening during the last 90 - 160 days before slaughter.

The difference between grass finishing and grain finishing a beef steer or heifer is that for anywhere from 90 to 160 days before slaughter, the grass finished animal is fed either grass, hay, or forage, while a grain finished animal is fed almost entirely grain, usually corn or a corn by-product.

Most beef cattle have been fed grass at some point in their lives, but the health benefits of eating grass fed, such as higher levels of Omega 3 and CLA (conjugated Linoleic acid), are obtained when cattle are finished on grass or forage.

The microbes in the digestive tract make all the difference

Cattle have unique digestive systems called rumen, which contains four stomachs and intestines. Forage is broken down in the stomachs and intestines by a number of different microbes. When cattle are fed grain it produces more acid in their digestive tracts, which affects make up of the microbes in the stomachs and intestines, which in turn causes changes in the animals' tissues (meat), affecting the fatty acid profile.

Less risk of E. coli

As a side note, the higher level of acid in the cattle's digestive tract causes the E. coli bacteria to flourish and proliferate, creating excessive amounts that can then get into the food supply. Cattle fed grass and forage have much lower numbers of E. coli in their digestive tracts because they are kept in check by the proper pH that is maintained with an all forage diet.

Defining the standards

The federal government is in the process of promulgating rules and regulations for the use of the term "grass fed", and had asked for comment in 2006. The comment period is over now but livestock industry representatives and others have submitted their opinions.

Comments on the promulgation of rules and regulation for the term grass fed

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has weighed in on standards for grass fed claims. While that group isn't the only industry representative, they are the largest and most powerful cattle industry lobby.

Feedlot owners and grain feeders have commented in favor of allowing meat to be called grass fed if it had been on forage for 80% of its life, which would allow grain finished animals to be called grass fed.

Since it bears repeating I will say it again: The health benefits are in the finishing!

If you're looking to eat grass fed beef for all of the many health benefits, it is imperative that you make sure the beef you eat is grass finished! When purchasing grass fed beef make sure that the producers you buy from do indeed finish their cattle completely on grass or forage and no grain.

Don't be scammed by false advertising

Some producers advertise as grass fed but if you dig far enough into their information or web site you will find that they do finish on grain. One of the top sponsored Google ads does this, so when you type in a search for grass fed beef, you will see this company near the top of the sponsored links. Do your research before you buy!

Confinement is another issue to be aware of

Grain finished beef animals are usually fed grain in confinement in feedlots. Whereas, grass finished beef animals are fed only grass, hay or forage, and are usually not confined. However, some large producers keep their cattle in confinement, in the same old feed lot model, and feed alfalfa hay to their cattle. With no standardized definition or rules it is possible to keep cattle in confinement and feed nothing but hay, and still be able to call them grass finished.

Look for pasture raised

When you are searching for grass finished beef, make sure that the provider's animals are pasture - raised, and have access to fresh feed / water, open air, and sunlight, and haven't been kept and fed in confinement.

The sad truth is that most of the organic grass fed beef you can buy in the health food store has been finished in this way, fed alfalfa hay, in constant confinement, perpetuating the old feed lot model.

Now that is not to say that true grass fed and finished producers won't confine their cattle for short periods from time to time. Sometimes cattle must be penned up to work them, move them, or protect them from the weather. However, it is a temporary situation, and the vast majority of the cattle's lives are spent free roaming on pasture. What is important is that they are not kept in confinement 24 hours per day for months on end.

Look for cattle raised on green grass wihtout confinement

Buy from a producer you can trust

You're searching for information and sources of grass fed beef because you have heard of all of the health benefits and want to enjoy robust vitality, so be sure you know what you are buying and who you are buying it from.