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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Grass Fed VS Grain Fed

I love a good juicy cheeseburger or a steak straight off the grill in the summer!  There's a lot of questions from consumers about grass fed and corn feed beef.  Which is better?  Which is healthy?  Which is safer to eat?  These are also all questions that I have been asked personally as well.

First off, let me start by saying, (in case you are new  to This Farm Family's life or just stopping by, if so then welcome;)  we are beef farmers who feed our cattle grain.  They are given a balanced ration of haylage, dry hay, corn silage, and corn.  That being said, I am not judging one way versus the other.  All cattle at one point in their lives are grass fed.  Many of them begin on pasture and are finished out in feed lot type settings while reaching market weight.



All beef is rich in 10 essential nutrients: protein, selenium, B12, zinc, niacin, B6, phosphorus, choline, iron, and riboflavin.  Grain fed has proven to be higher in monosaturated fat which is the same heart healthy fat found in olive oil while grass fed is higher in omega 3 fatty acids.

Another question that consumers are asking is which type is safer to eat?  They are both safe to eat.  Grass or grain fed are both great quality meat that are safe as long as they are cooked properly.





A calf that is grain fed will reach market weight faster than one that is grass fed.  Grass fed beef also costs more per pound.   Research has also shown that corn fed beef provides more tender and tastier meat and creates better marbeling in steaks and such.  


Land base is quickly decreasing because of urban growth while corn yields keep increasing because of advancements in technology.


Lastly, a researcher at Texas A&M university states that grass fed beef is not as healthy, nor grain fed beef as harmful as some reports have suggested.

Corn fed or grass fed.  You be the judge and pick which one is better for your family.  If you prefer grass fed and it fits into your budget, then go for it.  If you prefer corn fed, then go for it!







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