Question to PM Members on Grass Fed Beef

[lynx]

Ok, so let me set this up:

I was talking to a personal trainer in the gym the other day. I mentioned that I had a juicy steak the night before and he asked where I got it. I said Wal-Mart. He then went into how I shouldn't be eating that junk and should just be eating grass fed beef (gfb) and all the benefits (Omega-3s, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) also low in saturated fat and omega-6s.) of gfb vs store bought. I told him that when I eat beef it usually comes from our ranch where my older sister and I are partners. Our family butchers about a cow a year and that we have one in the corral now waiting. He then asked what we fed it etc. I told him that they are out to pasture most of the year and we feed them primarily alfalfa, and sporadically a sainfoin/barley/peas mixture in the winters along with mineral supplements. He was surprised and had no idea that I was involved or had any knowledge of cattle or the industry. (I guess I don't fit his picture of a rancher.) He then got excited and asked if we just sold one cow to people, or if we sold packages of meat. I said no not really. He said that him and his girlfriend just went in with another couple to split a gfb. I've heard of this for a few years now but just really didn't think there was much of a demand, but this got me to wondering has the demand increased?

SO: How many here go in on a butchered grass fed beef (or free-range beef)?
Or is an area of interest of yours?

Thanks.

 

[robot]

as an alternative to grass fed beef you could just hang out around health food store and whack the occasional vegetarian.

I'm told a 150 pound vegetarian can provide almost a months worth of quality protein.

 

[Schuh]

Ive been a butcher for allmost ten years and i see GFB as a preference to most people, the taste differs abit and you can tell if your a big beef eater. The demand in the last few years has heavily increased since all these new organic products have hit the market. I really dont see the big hype on the GFB. We use harris ranch choice as our main selection and alittle Grass Fed humboldt beef here in the bay area for some people. Its really a hit or miss with that stuff for sales. I dont really see how feeding the beef grass instead of normal feed would change the nutrients much, that thats just my opinion. And most of our suppliers say that they cant be 100% positive that the beef is only grass fed because they cant monitor them 24/7.

 

[Dad]

Ok, so let me set this up:

I was talking to a personal trainer in the gym the other day. I mentioned that I had a juicy steak the night before and he asked where I got it. I said Wal-Mart. He then went into how I shouldn't be eating that junk and should just be eating grass fed beef (gfb) and all the benefits (Omega-3s, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) also low in saturated fat and omega-6s.) of gfb vs store bought. I told him that when I eat beef it usually comes from our ranch where my older sister and I are partners. Our family butchers about a cow a year and that we have one in the corral now waiting. He then asked what we fed it etc. I told him that they are out to pasture most of the year and we feed them primarily alfalfa, and sporadically a sainfoin/barley/peas mixture in the winters along with mineral supplements. He was surprised and had no idea that I was involved or had any knowledge of cattle or the industry. (I guess I don't fit his picture of a rancher.) He then got excited and asked if we just sold one cow to people, or if we sold packages of meat. I said no not really. He said that him and his girlfriend just went in with another couple to split a gfb. I've heard of this for a few years now but just really didn't think there was much of a demand, but this got me to wondering has the demand increased?

SO: How many here go in on a butchered grass fed beef (or free-range beef)?
Or is an area of interest of yours?

Thanks.

That's all Mom and I will eat, and for exactly the reason of the ratio of omega-3 vs omega-6 fatty acids. It does taste a bit different, but only at first.

 

[Dad]

as an alternative to grass fed beef you could just hang out around health food store and whack the occasional vegetarian.

I'm told a 150 pound vegetarian can provide almost a months worth of quality protein.

Depends what they eat. If it's a lot of grains, then they'll have high omega-6 ratios, too.

 

[muscle96ss]

Ok, so let me set this up:

I was talking to a personal trainer in the gym the other day. I mentioned that I had a juicy steak the night before and he asked where I got it. I said Wal-Mart. He then went into how I shouldn't be eating that junk and should just be eating grass fed beef (gfb) and all the benefits (Omega-3s, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) also low in saturated fat and omega-6s.) of gfb vs store bought. I told him that when I eat beef it usually comes from our ranch where my older sister and I are partners. Our family butchers about a cow a year and that we have one in the corral now waiting. He then asked what we fed it etc. I told him that they are out to pasture most of the year and we feed them primarily alfalfa, and sporadically a sainfoin/barley/peas mixture in the winters along with mineral supplements. He was surprised and had no idea that I was involved or had any knowledge of cattle or the industry. (I guess I don't fit his picture of a rancher.) He then got excited and asked if we just sold one cow to people, or if we sold packages of meat. I said no not really. He said that him and his girlfriend just went in with another couple to split a gfb. I've heard of this for a few years now but just really didn't think there was much of a demand, but this got me to wondering has the demand increased?

SO: How many here go in on a butchered grass fed beef (or free-range beef)?
Or is an area of interest of yours?

Thanks.

As more and more people become educated on our food supply and the nutritional content the gfb is gaining in popularity. I buy mine at Whole Foods and it can get quite pricey. I have thought about getting a couple friends together to get a portion of the cow but we already have 2 full size refrigerator/freezers and are still out of room.

 

[JETHRO TULL]

So all this time I've been wondering why I am so amazing....

You've stumbled upon the secret ingredient! I am heading out to the ranch to negotiate a deal in your absence. On second thought, I'll deal with you!

 

[mountaindog1]

I go out to see a farmer who I have worked with for 2 years and get my grass fed beef. I was turned onto this for the exact same reasons you mentioned by Dr Serrano whom most of you probably have heard of..very very bright doctor with nutrition and training..more CLA (supplemental doesnt work as good as CLA in beef in my opinion(, and the ratio of ome 3 and 6. The benefits of having a more balanced ratio is unquestionable. Some things I noticed when I switched over was my joints felt better, my stomach tightened up, and my skin even seemed better. I have competed nationally for 10 years, tried every supplement ever invented u(unfortunately), but this was one of the best things I have done. You know that greasy taste you get on the roof of your mouth when you eat corn fed beef, wont get it with grass fed...all the grease in teh pan, won't be there, I could go on and on..but just wanted to say it is worth the investment..in fact..my grass fed ground beef costs me 3-4 a lb...cheaper than organic Laura's....it actually saves me money..

John Meadows

 

[PharmGrown]

My dad and I went in on a cow together a few months ago. Loved it. Cheap and never run out of beef lol

 

[stinkpelt]

My neighbor recently butchered an OLD grass fed longhorn steer and gave me about 10 packs of ground beef and all I can say is....that was the BEST beef I have ever eaten. I couldn't believe how good it tasted!! I am considering getting a cow or two now instead of buyng a lawnmower.

 

[oldfella]

OK my take is this, while there may be a difference between the two, how anal do we really need to get about all this shit. I think it does not really make all that much difference. But the truth of the matter is if these animals were in the wild and had wheat fields and corn field to graze in then they would eat that. If you only give them grass to eat then obviously that is all they will eat. It would be interseting to see which the animals prefered, grains or grass. I suppose the logical answer might be, whichever is easiest to obtain!! grains are up a little higher off the ground and since cows spend their days with their heads on the ground then grass would be prefered!!

Whichever the case may be just go out and enjoy your nice big steak!!

 

[lynx]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I appreciate it.

OK my take is this, while there may be a difference between the two, how anal do we really need to get about all this shit. I think it does not really make all that much difference. But the truth of the matter is if these animals were in the wild and had wheat fields and corn field to graze in then they would eat that. If you only give them grass to eat then obviously that is all they will eat. It would be interseting to see which the animals prefered, grains or grass. I suppose the logical answer might be, whichever is easiest to obtain!! grains are up a little higher off the ground and since cows spend their days with their heads on the ground then grass would be prefered!!

Whichever the case may be just go out and enjoy your nice big steak!!

No offense Dale but cows have been domesticated for YEARS. I don't think they were grazing on corn in the wild. That might be a bit difficult especially since I think corn (maze) was cultivated here by Natives and not in Europe, Middle East or Africa where they believe domesticated herds originated from.

Anyways! Domesticated cattle are much different than wild animals. Most of the supply is bought relatively young (yearlings) by large feedlots and that is where they spend the rest of their time until they are slaughtered. They are feed grains/corn and what ever else in long troughs in confined lots. Most times they are given antibiotics to keep them from getting diseases and/or growth hormone. If you have ever been to a feedlot you'd understand, they are disgusting. Hell even driving by one is bad enough, the smell is horrendous! So I believe there is a difference, or why else would wild game be so lean in comparison?

 

[lynx]

You've stumbled upon the secret ingredient! I am heading out to the ranch to negotiate a deal in your absence. On second thought, I'll deal with you!

I think you'd rather deal with me than my sister.

 

[Dad]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I appreciate it.



No offense Dale but cows have been domesticated for YEARS. I don't think they were grazing on corn in the wild. That might be a bit difficult especially since I think corn (maze) was cultivated here by Natives and not in Europe, Middle East or Africa where they believe domesticated herds originated from.

Anyways! Domesticated cattle are much different than wild animals. Most of the supply is bought relatively young (yearlings) by large feedlots and that is where they spend the rest of their time until they are slaughtered. They are feed grains/corn and what ever else in long troughs in confined lots. Most times they are given antibiotics to keep them from getting diseases and/or growth hormone. If you have ever been to a feedlot you'd understand, they are disgusting. Hell even driving by one is bad enough, the smell is horrendous! So I believe there is a difference, or why else would wild game be so lean in comparison?

Lynx,

We were just laughing over this - Mom said exactly the same thing about cows not eating corn in the wild!

Spot on!

 

[Metal]

OK my take is this, while there may be a difference between the two, how anal do we really need to get about all this shit. I think it does not really make all that much difference. But the truth of the matter is if these animals were in the wild and had wheat fields and corn field to graze in then they would eat that. If you only give them grass to eat then obviously that is all they will eat. It would be interseting to see which the animals prefered, grains or grass. I suppose the logical answer might be, whichever is easiest to obtain!! grains are up a little higher off the ground and since cows spend their days with their heads on the ground then grass would be prefered!!

Whichever the case may be just go out and enjoy your nice big steak!!

How anal????I wonder how many here have actually tried organic fed or gfb beef? Its a difference between night and day as far as taste, quality... I mean just look at the slab and you can tell the meat is pure. Also, most beef comes from cows jacked with gear and artificial hormone to produce more mass ( like us!) Gfb taste is amazing. It digests better and is not so fatty. Unfortunatley it is more pricy. I buy At Whole Foods, 13.99 a pound, but worth every penny. Same goes with the chickes, lamb, they have Buffalo and the seafood is rather amazing.

Does it make a difference? I believe so. Not enough to get freaked about, but digestion is easier. Im with you all the way Oldfella, Go out and enjoy that big juicy steak, medium rare!

 

[buselmo]

OK my take is this, while there may be a difference between the two, how anal do we really need to get about all this shit. I think it does not really make all that much difference.

x2

Whichever the case may be just go out and enjoy your nice big steak!!

If it's not a rib-eye with 40+% fat, there's nothing to enjoy!

I buy At Whole Foods, 13.99 a pound.

...$14 a pound? maybe that's why it's so healthy

 

[GoneForFuckingEver8]

Ive been a butcher for allmost ten years and i see GFB as a preference to most people, the taste differs abit and you can tell if your a big beef eater. The demand in the last few years has heavily increased since all these new organic products have hit the market. I really dont see the big hype on the GFB. We use harris ranch choice as our main selection and alittle Grass Fed humboldt beef here in the bay area for some people. Its really a hit or miss with that stuff for sales. I dont really see how feeding the beef grass instead of normal feed would change the nutrients much, that thats just my opinion. And most of our suppliers say that they cant be 100% positive that the beef is only grass fed because they cant monitor them 24/7.

i have a question for you, since you're a butcher. i LOVE steak, but why does it seem to taste diferent nowadays. 10 years ago i couldnt get enough of it. now sometimes it tastes like straight ass. i dont understand

 

[Pekkerwood]

I by it occasionally at Trader Joes. Relatively inexpensive there compared to Whole Foods, at lease in my market. Never really cared for the taste. Much more similar to beef I eat in Italy. I just don't really care for it.

Also, since I quit juicing, the steroids in the cattle are about the only way I can keep my levels up!

 

[NCMAC]

i have a question for you, since you're a butcher. i LOVE steak, but why does it seem to taste diferent nowadays. 10 years ago i couldnt get enough of it. now sometimes it tastes like straight ass. i dont understand

Taste like straight ass? stop buying the rump roast!

LOL! sorry couldnt resist

 

[mule]

OK my take is this, while there may be a difference between the two, how anal do we really need to get about all this shit. I think it does not really make all that much difference. But the truth of the matter is if these animals were in the wild and had wheat fields and corn field to graze in then they would eat that. If you only give them grass to eat then obviously that is all they will eat. It would be interseting to see which the animals prefered, grains or grass. I suppose the logical answer might be, whichever is easiest to obtain!! grains are up a little higher off the ground and since cows spend their days with their heads on the ground then grass would be prefered!!

Whichever the case may be just go out and enjoy your nice big steak!!

they would never eat that ever if given a choice

cattle will not eat corn if given the choice, if that is what they would eat and nothing else they would die, the only reason there are able to do it on feedlots is because of the drugs they are given