Grass fed vs. grain fed beef is something to consider when purchasing your meat. You can have two of the exact same cows, but what they are fed will impact the compositions of their beef, and especially the fat that contains much of the flavor and gives meat its tenderness.
There is a lot of information on the benefits of both grass fed and grain fed beef, but the ultimate decision is your personal preference. They just taste different!
Grass fed beef
Grass fed beef is meat from cows that only ate grass. Sometimes, like in the case of severe drought, grass may be supplemented with hay. A calf first drinks milk, then begins to eat grass and other plants they find in the pasture. Grass fed cows only consume grass and are never grazed in corn stalks or given other feed.
Grass fed beef is a nutrient dense protein with lower fat content. This form of beef is more popular among those looking for a more natural way to eat a low-fat diet.
Grain fed beef
Grain fed beef is meat from cows who begin by eating the same as grass fed cows, then are finished on grain. Their grain diet comes from feed such as corn or soy. Cows may be sent to a feedlot to be grain finished, graze in corn stocks, or receive their feed in another way. “Finishing” is a term used to describe the final stages of growth, when a calf primarily puts on fat, so what they eat during this time can flavor the fat.
Grain finished beef has a higher fat content and a slightly different flavor than grass fed. Consuming beef of any kind has a wide variety of health benefits.
Grass fed vs. grain fed, know your food
People will continue to debate grass fed vs. grain fed ‘til the cows come home. The biggest part of your decision comes from knowing your food. When you know where your food comes from and how that impacts quality and taste, you can make the best decision for you. Whatever your choice, it is important that you are eating real, chemically unaltered food.
At Waste Not Farm, I raised both solely grass fed and finished, and grass fed, grain finished beef. All of our cows are pasture raised without chemicals. I work with two trustworthy local USDA inspected butchers. Keeping everything local ensures your order is delivered to you in the most direct farm to table manner. Our cows are completely pasture raised without ever being sent to a feedlot.
Our all natural grass fed and sweeter (grain finished) beef can be purchased from a whole cow down to custom boxes. Contact me today to place your order for a package deal , monthly box, or custom box.
