WHAT MAKES 100% GRASS-FED BEEF DIFFERENT?

Dr. Weil says: “Grass fed cattle is much better for you than the beef from animals raised on factory farms and fed grain...Cattle have evolved to eat grass; they are not adapted to digest grains, which wreak havoc with their digestive systems...Meat from grass-fed cattle is lower in saturated fat than meat from cattle fed on grain.  It also has more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and conjugated linoleic acid—all good for human health.” 

Dr. Andrew Weil - Feb 2008

 

According to the various references listed below 100% grass-fed beef contains 4 times more Vitamin E, 10 times more Beta Carotene, 4 times more Vitamin A and 2-4 times more Omega-3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the largest grocery store chains in the country that specializes in “natural,”  “organic,” “holistic,” “healthy”, and “grass-fed” foods proudly includes in its “Basic Principles” that  “the time on a feed-lot cannot be more than one-third of the animal’s life.”  Accordingly, a two year old animal could be in the feed-lot for the last 8 months of its life.  As indicated in the following chart, approximately 90% of the Omega-3 is lost within the first five months in the feed-lot. DHA and EPA are two types of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Not only is the fat from 100% grass-fed beef healthier but data from the Journal of Animal Science shows that  the total fat contained in grass-fed beef is substantially less than that found in feed-lot beef.

 

I UNDERSTAND THAT GRASS-FED IS IMPORTANT, BUT WHAT MAKES ANIMALS FROM THE O X RANCH SO SPECIAL?

Naturally Grass-fed

The term “grass-fed” can be misinterpreted.  All beef is grass-fed during at least half of their lives.  In terms of the human health benefits of grass-fed cattle, it is important that they are grass-fed during the last several months of their  lives.  That assures that the increased vitamins and minerals produced and shown to exist under these conditions are in the finished meat.  O X Ranch grass-fed cattle consume nothing but their mother’s milk, grass and other natural vegetation during their lives.  The irrigated pastures produce a variety of grasses year-around without the use of any pesticides, fungicides or herbicides.  Most ranches in the country have to feed their animals hay during winter months.

Arizona Grown

O X Angus cattle graze on approximately 100,000 acres of land – from the Upper Sonoran Desert at 3,000—4500 feet elevation in the winter, to grazing in the ponderosa pines forests of Northern Arizona in summer.  This promotes the coordinated use of peak forage condition of seasonal grasses at different elevations.  The cattle are moved in a carefully managed rotational grazing system, allowing for the rest and re-growth of the forage. 

Healthy Cattle

Herd health is a major focus of the O X Ranch.  The health of the cows, calves, and bulls is constantly monitored.  Vitamins and minerals supplement seasonal changes in vegetation quality, and to assure optimum animal condition.  Because of the healthy, unstressed lives of O X cattle, it is not necessary to use antibiotics, other than to treat the fewer than 2% that might incur an injury.  These are immediately marked and eliminated from the grass-fed herd.  The health program in place surpasses the requirements of the Beef Quality Assurance Program (BQA)—Level 3 of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and the National Cattleman’s Beef Association.

Human Health Benefits

A cow is a ruminant animal whose digestive system is uniquely equipped to consume grass and other vegetation, and convert that to a healthy product suitable for human consumption.  Following World War II, government farm subsidies resulted in surplus corn and other commodities that were fed to cattle to obtain faster and cheaper weight gains.  Since then, almost all cattle have been fattened in feedlots.

In recent years, however, scientists have discovered that 100% grass-fed beef not only contains much lower saturated fat but has additional elements that are essential for good health.  These elements include conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), which are believed to be important in protecting against cancer, and Omega–3 fatty acids which are essential for maintaining healthy cardiovascular systems.

The Journal of International Research, The International Journal of Obesity and other publications have reported various studies concluding that CLA can significantly reduce body fat, particularly lower abdominal and intestinal fat.  Although it is now possible to obtain CLA in tablet form, the prices from one source of a year’s supply for a family of four totaled $2,541.60 – more than a year’s supply of O X 100% Grass-fed Beef.

O X 100% Grass-Fed Beef is processed in government inspected beef processing plants in Arizona.  The processor “dry-ages” the product.  A quote regarding dry aging found at www.askthemeatman.com states,  “Even though it’s an expensive proposition, dry-aged beef has long been considered the best among seasoned steak connoisseurs.”  In an article written by F C Parrish, Ph.D. with the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, he concludes: “meat from vacuum-aged cuts has a more bloody/serum and metallic flavor, whereas, meat from dry-aging has a more brown-roasted beefy flavor.

We recommend looking into the health benefits of grass fed beef by referencing the Books, Publications, Periodicals, Websites and Organizations listed on our Related Links page.