GrassFed Beef Cattle

     Grass fed Beef Cattle are cattle who have consumed only their dam’s milk and grass through out their life. They live on their mother’s milk as calves and on fresh grass or hay when adults. They are never fed anything else throughout their life. The American Grass fed Association classifies such animals as grass-fed beef cattle. Green feeding is not a new concept. This system has been used since centuries to raise cows, sheep, goats, and bison. It is the most natural method of raising animals and more and more farm owners are resorting to green feed.

     Beef cattle stomach functions differently than human stomach. Our stomach is one chambered and cannot digest grass. Cattle have four chambered stomachs and can digest fresh as well as dry grass. They are called ruminant animals. They take in grass and give out milk and beef for human consumption. It is a common practice to provide supplemental feed to the gain fed cattle in addition to forage. They are fed grains and legumes to provide additional sources of energy and the development of more flesh and muscles. But grass fed beef cattle are never fed any chemicals treated supplemental diet.

     Grass fed meat comes from animals which are strictly on grass diet, free from chemicals. Grass is a very convenient diet for cattle and a comfortable choice for the farm owners. Cattle feed on pastures and forage and the burden of additional diet on the herd owner is reduced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set some standards for the grass fed beef cattle. Accordingly beef cattle must consume only grass and grass type hay throughout their life and must not be fed anything else. Grass fed beef cattle are never given any growth-promoting hormones or other additives. They do not need as much antibiotics as other cattle. Grain-based diet can cause stomach ulcers and liver abscesses in cattle, whose stomachs are naturally designed to digest grass.

     Grass fed diet is very healthy and environment friendly. Many acres of green pastures mean less soil erosion and more water quality. It provides extensive wild habitat and plant diversity. From the health perspective grass fed meat has fewer calories than grain fed meat. Grass fed meat is low fat and leaner. It also has more vitamins A and E, conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and omega-3 fatty acids. Grass fed meat can reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure. It can also help with diabetes and cancer. This meat may also be stronger flavored than grain fed meat.