Grass-fed beef, according to U.S. Agr. Dept.

[Alex]

"The Agriculture Department has proposed a standard for grass-fed meat that doesn't say animals need pasture and that broadly defines grass to include things like leftovers from harvested crops."

The full article

[gus_tatory]

hmm. i've heard that one of the things that makes grass-fed beef better for us is that it contains more CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). i'm wondering if corn stalks, etc. will have the same benefits that grass grazing does?

[sparrowgrass]

Here is what I know about cattle, and I am not sure it answers the question.

When steers are sent to the feedlot be fattened on corn and soybeans, the new feed has to be introduced gradually because steers are not really meant to eat such concentrated nutrients.

Corn stalks and harvest residue are high fiber--corn is just a grass, you know--and cattle can be turned directly from grass pasture to harvested cornfields with no problems. This is common practice in areas where corn and cattle are grown.

Grass-fed beef eat things other than grass--broad leafed weeds, tree seedlings, leaves and twigs, plant and grass seeds, clover, bugs. In the winter, they eat hay and silage, which is green corn plants that are fermented in a silo. Lots of fiber, some grain.

[srhcb]

Here is what I know about cattle, and I am not sure it answers the question. 

When steers are sent to the feedlot be fattened on corn and soybeans, the new feed has to be introduced gradually because steers are not really meant to eat such concentrated nutrients. 

Corn stalks and harvest residue are high fiber--corn is just a grass, you know--and cattle can be turned directly from grass pasture to harvested cornfields with no problems.  This is common practice in areas where corn and cattle are grown. 

Grass-fed beef eat things other than grass--broad leafed weeds, tree seedlings, leaves and twigs, plant and grass seeds, clover, bugs.  In the winter, they eat hay and silage, which is green corn plants that are fermented in a silo.  Lots of fiber, some grain.

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Yes, I think it answers the question very well.

"Grass-fed Beef" seems to be more of a marketing gimmick than anything else.

SB (I guess Free Range Cattle sounded too silly)

[jsolomon]

Steve, there is grass fed beef, and there is grass fed beef. Marketed grass fed beef are an interesting animal that has a young US market. Things still have to stabilize with it.

Of course, it would help if the marketing people would attempt to understand the product before they try to market it. That's part of the reason there is so much confusion.

[srhcb]

Steve, there is grass fed beef, and there is grass fed beef.  Marketed grass fed beef are an interesting animal that has a young US market.  Things still have to stabilize with it.

Of course, it would help if the marketing people would attempt to understand the product before they try to market it.  That's part of the reason there is so much confusion.

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I'm all for healthful food, open markets and freedom of choice, but this appears to me to have all the earmarks of yet another elitist eating concept.

At least for now, I'm not buying it.

SB (doesn't mind if you do though)