The ABC's of Beef: Grass-Fed, Grain-Fed, Know Your Farmer

Written by Madison Whitley

If you are anything like me, you can’t help but stop and stare as you pass a pasture full of beautiful white and black spotted cows on the side of the road. I bet you also think that beef is beef is beef… right? So did I. Well, think again! Just as everything from growing produce to making clothes to raising children has multiple ways to plant, sew and discipline, there are various ways to feed a cow. And just as different planting, sewing and disciplining techniques result in varying quality of produce, clothes or children, different types of feed will alter the final outcome of the beef. The main types of feeding of a cow are grass-fed or grain-fed. Hopefully the following will shed a bit of light on the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef and make it easier for you to decide which to purchase and consume based on your personal preferences, your budget, your values and the objective information presented.

Grass-Fed
The majority of the time, all cows start their diet on grass. True grass-fed cows eat from a pasture, consuming only grass, forage after weaning and are not typically “finished” on a diet of grains and supplements. You must be aware that grass-fed is a fairly loose term and variations can occur. Grass-fed cows, which spend the majority of their life on pasture, are sometimes fed grain at the end of their life to increase weight gain and to give the meat some marbling. These cows are called “grass-fed, grain-finished.” “Grass-fed, grass-finished” cows were raised on pasture until processed.

Grass-fed cows take longer to grow on grass and the animal rarely reaches their full potential of weight grain, since grain is the main factor that aids in weight gain. Grass-fed beef has less marbling, is leaner and can be slightly chewer. The fat found in the meat is often yellow due to an increased content of beta-carotene. Because grass-fed cows must clearly have grass to eat, adopting these practices would dramatically increase the amount of land needed to raise beef. However, feeding cows only grass is said to be better for the planet since less energy goes into growing grass than growing grain. Lastly, due to the increased labor and management of grass-fed beef, it is often markedly more expensive than grain-fed beef.

Grain-Fed
In opposition to grass-fed practices, grain feeding consists of a variety of resource saving practices that aim to achieve high profits and sustained production levels. Grain-fed cows begin pastured on grass and forage and then typically live in feedlots or pens eating a concentrated feed of grains and supplements. The grain feed is often a mixture of corn, soy, brewery grain, distiller’s grain and other cereals.

Due to the increased consumption of grain, these cows gain weight more quickly and can be produced year-round. Grain-fed beef has increased intramuscular fat deposition, resulting in more marbling. The meat is often less expensive than grass-fed beef.

Nutrition
The cow’s diet not only affects the taste of the milk and meat, but it also alters the nutritional composition of the beef. According to a 2009 study by the USDA and Clemson University in South Carolina, grass-fed beef is often lower in total fat, saturated fat and calories than grain-fed beef. Grain-fed beef typically has higher amounts of saturated fat and trans fat, but also has higher amount of mono- and poly-unsaturated fats (the good fats). Grass-fed beef still has plenty of fat, it is just distributed differently, resulting in more subtle marbling and more subcutaneous deposition. Grass-fed beef has higher amounts of total omega-3 fatty acids and a better ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Compared to grain-fed beef, the totals of omega-6 fatty acids are similar, omega-3 fatty acids are just nonexistent in grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef also has higher vitamin A and E (alpha-tocopherol), higher levels of antioxidants, 7 times more beta-carotene, higher amounts of B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin, and higher amounts of minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. The research also indicates higher levels of CLA (cis-9-trans-11), a potential cancer fighter, in grass-fed beef and higher amounts of vaccenic acid (which can be transformed into CLA).

Regardless of whether the beef is grass-fed or grain-fed, the product should speak for itself. Make sure you purchase the highest quality of beef you can afford. Try both grass-fed and grain-fed beef and determine for yourself which you find more worthwhile. Whether it is grain-fed or grass-fed, cattle farmers strive for consistency and produce the best possible product under their particular conditions. Talk to your farmers and ask them what practices they utilize and why. I know they will be happy to tell you exactly how the beef got from their farm to your table. So go out and find a good quality product that satisfies your personal preferences, your budget and most importantly, your tummy!