Deconstructing Organic Beef
The Costs and Benefits
of Raising Cattle Au Naturel
By Barbara Bowman
Organic
beef has become increasingly popular over the past decade
as health-conscious consumers realize it may be better for
the body and better for the environment. But organic beef
is usually much more expensive than conventional beef. With such high costs, is it really worth
the price?
No-Hormones-Added,
Antibiotic-Free, Natural-Organic Meat
In
order to be a well-informed consumer, one should know what
"organic" means in the first place. For beef in particular, "organic"
means
that the cattle were fed 100 per cent organic feed (either grasses or grains that were grown without the use of chemicals), that they were not given antibiotics
or growth hormones, and that they were allowed significant
access to the outdoors throughout their lives. Additionally,
it also means that the cattle were never fed animal parts,
since ruminants are herbivores by nature. Only beef that meets these standards can carry the USDA’s organic seal.
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| Certified
Organic Seal |
So
why do some products carry seals that say “natural”
or “antibiotic-free?" While such statements
may be accurate, they are not regulated by the USDA and
are not synonymous with “organic.” Even something
claiming to be “natural” is technically just
any beef that has been minimally processed. (Check
out our “Meat
Terminology” article
for a detailed clarification of such terms.)
Even
with the “organic” label, there is no solid
evidence that organic beef is nutritionally healthier than conventional
beef. Some, however, claim that beef from grass-fed cattle
is higher in Omega-3 fatty acids and lower in saturated
fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered to be heart-healthy
and protect against physical and mental degenerative diseases.
It's
Not Just About the Beef
While
some people buy organic beef solely for personal health
reasons, others do so because the ways in which cattle are raised for food also
impact the environment. Organic farming encourages raising
animals on a proper balance of land-to-cattle ratio so that
the manure can actually be used by plants as fertilizer
and doesn’t run off as pollution. Additionally, there
is no use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers on the land where
the cattle roam, so those chemicals cannot harm the environment
either. According to the Organic
Trade Association, the benefits of raising cattle organically
include healthier water supplies and more humane treatment
of animals.
According to the Husbandry Institute, even
with the onset of Mad Cow Disease and a 1997 FDA ban on
cattle feed containing animal by-products,
there are still conventional beef producers who use animal
by-products (mainly from chicken and fish) as a protein source to
promote the growth of their cattle. Likewise, conventional
beef producers sometimes use other unnatural methods, such
as using antibiotics
and hormones for growth, and housing cattle in cramped,
filthy warehouses with no access to the outdoors.
Where
to Get the Beef
Rancho San Julian Beef Company (Santa Barbara,
CA): Located on one of the oldest family-owned ranches California, Rancho San Julian Beef Company produces completely organic beef; the cattle are allowed to freely graze on the ranch's 14,000 acres, and they are finished on a vegetarian diet of organic hay and barley that is grown locally. The cattle are never given any antibiotics or hormones, and they are also harvested on site in the first USDA-approved Mobil Harvest Unit in California. The company even goes as far as recording the entire history of each animal, so as to ensure that every cow is healthy and fit for human consumption. (www.rsjbeef.com)
Prather Ranch (Macdoel
and Fall River Valley, CA): Situated on
a 34,000-acre farm in the mountains in northeastern
California, most of the cattle raised here are certified
organic (some are raised "naturally"). In addition, the meat is dry-aged
for two to three weeks for a fuller flavor.
(www.pratherranch.com)
West
Wind Farms (Deer Lodge, TN.):
Located in rural Tennessee, West Wind Farms
offers not only organic beef but also organic
lamb, goat, chicken, turkey and a variety
of other products such as honey and artisan
cheeses. Ships nationwide. (www.grassorganic.com,
423-965-3334)
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So
Pay the Price?
Although
the price of organic beef is higher than that of conventional
beef, the bottom line is that buying organic helps out the
smaller farmer and environment and also encourages the fair
treatment of animals. One way to look at it is to not only
consider the immediate effects of supporting such farms
but the long term effects on health and environment. And
economically, if the demand for organic products rises,
there will eventually come a point where the supply matches
the demand and the price will come to a comfortable and
more affordable level. So, next time you stand in line at
the meat counter to get your New York steak, don’t
only think of the taste. Think of the effects of your choices,
too.
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Image courtesy of Khanjan Mehta, 2003
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