Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished Beef
In 2018 my husband and I moved from Long Island, NY to Central Virginia—right into the heart of cattle county. Rarely does a day go by when I do not see “pre-processed” beef cows grazing on the green grasses of the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a scene I suspect will always put a grin on my face because whenever I see these grazing cows, Psalm 50:10 pops into my head, “…for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” This verse never fails to remind me that everything I think I own, I do not. It’s all God’s.
Being surrounded by cattle farms yields a number of beef vendors each week at my local Farmers Market—selling beef which was processed (butchered) that very week. It’s from these local farmers I first learned that all beef cows aren’t “finished off” or fed the same way. I did know that grass fed beef was better for me nutritionally than corn fed cattle. However, my curiosity was peaked when the beef vendors at my Farmers Market would specify that their beef was grass finished, not just grass fed.
“Huh, please explain this.”, I asked one farmer. Here’s what I learned: “Grass fed beef” only means the cows ate grass during their lifetimes, but those same cows can also be fed corn along the way. And because a diet of corn fattens up a cow, increasing it sell-able weight, grass fed cows are routinely fed corn prior to their sale/processing. A cow (or its meat) that is designated as “grass finished” means the cow has eaten nothing but grass throughout its lifetime.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, grass finished beef has 20% less calories than grass fed beef, and contains higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, CLA’s (Conjugated Linoleic Acid—an essential fatty acid that fights cancer and inhibits body fat), and Vitamins A and E.
Is grass fed beef better than corn-fed beef? Absolutely! But, is it the most nutritious beef you can get your hands on? No. If you have the option, as I do (and since I haven’t found there to be a price difference between the two varieties), buy the better beef. Remember, food can be medicine, too!