Grass-Fed Beef Vs Grass-Finished- What's The Difference?
The beef you choose can have either negative or positive impacts on your diet, the environment, and the way the animals are treated. The two most popular methods of raising cattle are Grass-Fed and Grass-Finished. A quality butcher meat shop in Guildford will carry grass finished beef because it is better for you and it is more eco-friendly. But what are the differences between grass fed and grass finished beef?
Grass-Fed Beef
The way farms feed cows have significant impacts on the nutritional composition, flavour, and tenderness of beef. Grass-fed beef is from cattle that are fed grass only at certain points of their lives. Grass-fed cattle are conventionally-raised cattle. Other than getting mother’s milk and grass, grass-fed cattle also receive various supplemental feeds, such as soy, corn, protein supplements, and grain by-products. Because grass-fed cattle remain in cramped feedlots for their whole lives, they are injected with antibiotics to prevent the spread of diseases.
Here are a few facts about grass-fed beef:
Hygiene Issues- because the diet of grass-fed cows also includes grain, this will increase the acidity level in their digestive system. Disrupted digestion process creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Improperly butchered and prepared grass-fed beef may pose health risks.
Unintentional Intake Of Hormone- grass-fed cows may be injected with growth hormone, testosterone, and synthetic oestrogen for quicker growth. Studies show that this could increase the risk of hormonal imbalance and cancer on human.
Higher Fat Content- grass-fed cows live in cramped conditions that can cause stress and elevate their cortisol levels. Higher levels of cortisol cause cows to have thicker fat tissue, making the beef less healthy for consumption.
Grass-Finished Cattle
Grass-finished cattle spend their whole lives eating high quality grass and plants. Another term for these cows is pasture-raised cattle. Unlike conventionally-raised cows, these cattle don’t consume an unnatural diet, like grain by-products, soy, or corn. Because grass-finished cattle roam the pasture and are slaughtered in a more natural way, these contribute to more nutritious and better tasting meat. You will typically receive grass finished beef when ordering from your favourite butcher market in Guildford.
Here are a few facts about grass-finished beef:
Healthier Fat- due to better feed quality, grass-finished beef contains more CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), a type of healthy fatty acid that helps to manage weight and prevent cancer. The beef also contains much more Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for cognitive functions, hormonal health, cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory responses, and healthier skin.
More Nutrients- grass-finished beef contain more vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, compared to grass-fed beef.
Better For The Environment- cows produce large amounts of methane throughout their lifetime, which is a more potent greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide. Grass-finished, pasture-raised cows use rotational grazing methods that better regulates the emission of methane. The manure has high organic value, which enriches the soil and ensures the sustainability of the pasture. Water for organic farms can be obtained from nearby streams, instead of from groundwater or utility lines, which minimises environmental impacts.
Contact G.J. Honour
To learn more, contact G.J. Honour and shop our wide selection of quality meats today.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.