It's pretty well known that small family farms struggle to survive. The profit margin is often small, and many young people prefer to head for urban areas for an easier life. As more land has been consolidated by huge corporations and more cattle readied for market in feedlots, the situation has become more dire. However, the direct marketing of a product factory farms cannot provide has turned a profit for many a grass fed beef farm.
The production of pastured meats is one example of innovative thinking that makes the ranch owner both producer and marketing agent. Producing a boutique product and gaining a secure market raises the small farmer above the competition. Giant factory farms and feedlots have squeezed small farms and ranches for years, but today direct marketing of higher-quality food has liberated family operations.
Being more expensive than conventionally-raised meat has not frustrated the rise in popularity of this lean, free-range beef. Many consumers feel that factory farming has lowered the quality, taste, and nutritional content of food sold in conventional grocery stores. They are looking for more naturally-produced products and often prefer to buy locally. Farmers' markets are springing up all across the country, and grass-fed meats are found at many of them.
Not everyone agrees that natural methods of farming are better for the environment, make for healthier food, and are more humane. However, a large part of the population does think this way, and they are willing to pay more for organic and local products. Science does tell us that conventional foods contain pesticide and herbicide residues that make them less than ideal.
As for the nutritional content of beef, research has shown that the pastured variety contains essential fatty acids not found in meats produced in cages or feedlots. The feeding of grains apparently inhibits the production of a nutrient called CLA by the animal. CLA is used by the human body to break down saturated fat. You can buy the nutrient in a health food store, or you can get it in naturally raised meat.
For the farmer with acreage, the cost of raising cattle on pasture is less than feeding hay and grain. Many farmers who used to buy seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides in order to raise corn, wheat, and soybeans now concentrate on promoting the health of their pastureland. Grasses do not rob the soil of nutrients as crops like corn do; many of them, such as clover and alfalfa, actually improve the soil while they grow.
It takes more land and time to raise cattle naturally, and those who run feedlots are focused on getting large numbers of animals to market in as short a time as possible. For this reason, the grass-fed cow and pastured poultry growers do not have to compete as they did before. Raising consumer awareness of the differences in method and product keeps the market for natural meats growing.
There are naturally-raised beef producers who have grown large enough to sell to large grocery chains. However, the real beneficiaries of this type of meat production are small operators who make a good living, the consumers who get healthier meat, the environment that is less polluted by chemicals, and the animals who have a happier and more natural life. Check to see if you have a grass fed beef farm in your area.
The production of pastured meats is one example of innovative thinking that makes the ranch owner both producer and marketing agent. Producing a boutique product and gaining a secure market raises the small farmer above the competition. Giant factory farms and feedlots have squeezed small farms and ranches for years, but today direct marketing of higher-quality food has liberated family operations.
Being more expensive than conventionally-raised meat has not frustrated the rise in popularity of this lean, free-range beef. Many consumers feel that factory farming has lowered the quality, taste, and nutritional content of food sold in conventional grocery stores. They are looking for more naturally-produced products and often prefer to buy locally. Farmers' markets are springing up all across the country, and grass-fed meats are found at many of them.
Not everyone agrees that natural methods of farming are better for the environment, make for healthier food, and are more humane. However, a large part of the population does think this way, and they are willing to pay more for organic and local products. Science does tell us that conventional foods contain pesticide and herbicide residues that make them less than ideal.
As for the nutritional content of beef, research has shown that the pastured variety contains essential fatty acids not found in meats produced in cages or feedlots. The feeding of grains apparently inhibits the production of a nutrient called CLA by the animal. CLA is used by the human body to break down saturated fat. You can buy the nutrient in a health food store, or you can get it in naturally raised meat.
For the farmer with acreage, the cost of raising cattle on pasture is less than feeding hay and grain. Many farmers who used to buy seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides in order to raise corn, wheat, and soybeans now concentrate on promoting the health of their pastureland. Grasses do not rob the soil of nutrients as crops like corn do; many of them, such as clover and alfalfa, actually improve the soil while they grow.
It takes more land and time to raise cattle naturally, and those who run feedlots are focused on getting large numbers of animals to market in as short a time as possible. For this reason, the grass-fed cow and pastured poultry growers do not have to compete as they did before. Raising consumer awareness of the differences in method and product keeps the market for natural meats growing.
There are naturally-raised beef producers who have grown large enough to sell to large grocery chains. However, the real beneficiaries of this type of meat production are small operators who make a good living, the consumers who get healthier meat, the environment that is less polluted by chemicals, and the animals who have a happier and more natural life. Check to see if you have a grass fed beef farm in your area.
No comments:
Post a Comment