How does grass fed differ from grain fed calves?
Grass fed beef is higher in vitamin content, lower in calories, leaner, and higher in certain beneficial essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Conjugated Lineolic Acid These have been proven effective in fighting cancerous tendencies and in promoting a healthy heart. Grain in the diet of ruminant animals (cows were made to eat grass)has an adverse effect on the nutritional value of the meat. Grain in the diet of ruminant animals creates an excess of Omega 6 fatty acids which negates the beneficial aspects of the Omega 3’s and CLA’s mentioned above. One note of interest to those that need to distinguish between grass fed and grass finished beef is that all calves are initially grass fed. It is how they are finished that determines the level of nutritional benefit in the meat. Most commercial cows are finished in a feed lot the last 2-6 months before processing. They live in crowded conditions and are fed a grain ration with chemical additives, roughage, byproducts, etc. all designed
