With rising consumer safety concerns particularly in regards to meat consumed, several studies have been done with the aim of establishing the best approach in raising beef cattle. These studies try to compare meat quality for grass-fed beef farms and those from mass production units. The latter option is known to be responsible for dangerous bacteria such as Listeria and E. Coli that have led to recalls some making headlines.
The farms raising cattle on grass or pasture normally allow animals to forage over a vast land area. Through this method, cattle feed on their natural diet of grass and legumes making it the most humane way of raising animals. Through this method however, it is not easy for animals to quickly gain weight and farmers usually resort to art and science of raising pasture for animals. This requires very fertile soils and pasture maintenance skills.
The major attribute that attracts most consumers to beef products from cattle that are raised in grass farms is their nutritional value. The meat has lower levels of saturated fats and total fats in general. The cholesterol level and calories are also lower in quantities. Of major importance however are higher quantities of vitamin C and vitamin E that are recorded in meat products. Other beneficial attributes include higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene among several other nutrients.
It cannot escape the eye of consumers that in feedlots, the animals are fed with supplements and hormones to promote faster growth. These are substances that are not completely safe for the consumer as they can have similar effects when they get into the body when still active.
Most feed used for faster fattening in factory farms are unnatural and the major ingredients are genetically modified grains. In some cases, by products may also be used as feed all contribution to unhealthy beef full of hormones blamed for uncontrolled growth.
A common disorder resulting from stress is subacute acidosis that is very painful. Antibiotics and other chemicals are used to manage these conditions. The problem is that antibiotics are most likely to be misused and bacteria develop resistance to the drugs. The new strains of bacteria can be very difficult to deal with when they affect humans.
As already said, feedlots cattle are responsible for the highest percentages of E. Coli and Listeria, both which are bacterial diseases that are less noticed in grass fed beef cattle. Campylobacter bacterial is also most likely to be present in feedlot (58%) than pasture fed cattle with only 2%. This bacterial is known symptoms such as muscle pain, upset stomach, fever and headache.
The standards of Animal Welfare Approved practices of husbandry, the cattle should be raised in very humane manner in conditions that are as natural as possible. This is hardly observed in feedlots.
The farms raising cattle on grass or pasture normally allow animals to forage over a vast land area. Through this method, cattle feed on their natural diet of grass and legumes making it the most humane way of raising animals. Through this method however, it is not easy for animals to quickly gain weight and farmers usually resort to art and science of raising pasture for animals. This requires very fertile soils and pasture maintenance skills.
The major attribute that attracts most consumers to beef products from cattle that are raised in grass farms is their nutritional value. The meat has lower levels of saturated fats and total fats in general. The cholesterol level and calories are also lower in quantities. Of major importance however are higher quantities of vitamin C and vitamin E that are recorded in meat products. Other beneficial attributes include higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene among several other nutrients.
It cannot escape the eye of consumers that in feedlots, the animals are fed with supplements and hormones to promote faster growth. These are substances that are not completely safe for the consumer as they can have similar effects when they get into the body when still active.
Most feed used for faster fattening in factory farms are unnatural and the major ingredients are genetically modified grains. In some cases, by products may also be used as feed all contribution to unhealthy beef full of hormones blamed for uncontrolled growth.
A common disorder resulting from stress is subacute acidosis that is very painful. Antibiotics and other chemicals are used to manage these conditions. The problem is that antibiotics are most likely to be misused and bacteria develop resistance to the drugs. The new strains of bacteria can be very difficult to deal with when they affect humans.
As already said, feedlots cattle are responsible for the highest percentages of E. Coli and Listeria, both which are bacterial diseases that are less noticed in grass fed beef cattle. Campylobacter bacterial is also most likely to be present in feedlot (58%) than pasture fed cattle with only 2%. This bacterial is known symptoms such as muscle pain, upset stomach, fever and headache.
The standards of Animal Welfare Approved practices of husbandry, the cattle should be raised in very humane manner in conditions that are as natural as possible. This is hardly observed in feedlots.
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