food sustainability Grass-Fed Beef and Dairy & Organic Veggies Does it really make a difference? by Bambi Fields
For those who choose to consume
animal products, what difference does it make whether you buy grass-fed or grain-fed beef and dairy, and does buying the beef and dairy labeled grass-fed mean that the cows ate actual grass? And, what does the “organic” label on vegetables really mean? Whether buying grass-fed beef and dairy makes difference depends on your beliefs and values. If you believe in the good stewardship of feeding cows the food they were designed to eat, then buying grass-fed makes a difference. Cows’ digestive systems are designed to digest high-fiber and low-starch grasses. They grow and fatten faster and produce more milk when they eat grain, though. Cows can eat a diet of up to about 40% grain before they begin to develop stomach displacement and acidosis. Stomach displacement is typically limited to dairy cows. The symptoms are dullness, drop in feed intake, drastic reduction in milk yield, and scanty feces either firm or diarrheic (due to food not passing through the system properly). Acidosis is a condition in which the kidneys and lungs can’t keep the body’s pH in balance. Too much acid stays in the body, and causes symptoms like fatigue and confusion. We might or might not think much of cows’ intellect, but is that a good reason to discount them having the energy level and presence of mind they were meant to have? You probably learned that when you use something, you return it in the same or better condition. Irrespective of whether climate change exists, cattle farming contributes a good deal of carbon footprint and uses a lot of water. It contributes a statistically significant amount of methane to the environment and hauling food, cows, and product creates partic-
ulate pollution from diesel engines. Pasturing cows on well managed fields helps offset the carbon footprint as does buying locally. Managing pastures well means partitioning larger fields with fencing so that cows can be rotated. Rotational grazing allows the land to support more cattle without chemical applications as the cows’ manure fertilizes the land and grass returns strongly on parcels that the cows can’t access. However, grass-fed cows, even on rich grass, will take longer to mature to weight, will need to be butchered younger to ensure tenderness, and will produce less milk. Producing grass-fed products costs more. Another consideration is the nutritional value of the beef or dairy product. The adage that we are what we eat goes for animals, too. Cows may have eaten grain pellets made from beer making’s ‘spent’ grain. Imagining that a ‘spent’ grain has a robust nutritional profile for a cow is difficult. Truly grass-fed cows contribute to meat and dairy that have statistically different nutritional profiles than products from grain-fed animals. Truly grassfed cows’ products measure higher in nutrients that we consider healthy and lower in substances we consider to be unhealthy for us. What labels insinuate compared to what they truly mean has implications for fish, poultry, and egg purchases, too. For example, vegetarian chickens sound innocuous enough, but in reality, a vegetarian chicken has almost certainly never seen the light of day or taken a step on her own two feet. Considerations about nutritional differences and truth in labeling also apply to vegetables. Albert, our veggie guy, maintains a garden here and one just a few miles down the highway. His vegetables are local, fresh, and truly organic. They
are varieties meant for consumption not for mass production. Most vegetables at the grocery store have been bred to be tough enough to ship (in spite of the fact that their nutritional value begins to plummet as soon as they are picked). And, many of them have been picked green so that they won’t spoil during a couple of weeks of traveling and are often gassed to ripen when they arrive at the store. Furthermore, the Organic Materials Review Institute lists more than 40 pesticides allowed in organic production. Those pesticides do the same thing as any other pesticide, so what is the guarantee that they are any safer? Some “natural” chemicals used in organic farming are carcinogenic, are less effective than conventional ones, and may require heavier applications. Are we getting what we paid for? As of January 2016, when the USDA dropped it’s official definition of “grass-fed”, it boils down more than ever to what the label on food might actually mean and on whom you trust. We at Victoria’s Natural Market have diverse backgrounds that come together to allow us to understand real food, to value integrity, and to be committed to environmental stewardship. Some of us grew up on a farm gardening and tending animals. One of us is degreed in Geography with a concentration and special interest in environmental stewardship. Another of us turned to traditional food and nutrition 20 years ago and pursued it as a hobby and lifestyle long before being ‘in the business.’ And, a couple of us have either studied organic gardening formally or have a made a personal study of it. Together we have over 80 years of experience in what we do and are learning more every day. We are ready to welcome you into a community of friendship and trust. Bambi Fields is the co-owner of Victoria’s Natural Market & Farm located in the Cypress/Tomball area near the Grand Parkway. Victoria’s Natural Market & Farm 20158 Bauer Hockley Road Tomball, TX 77377 713-815-8513 Open Sat. & Sun. 9-5 facebook.com/victoriasnaturalmarket/ victoriasnaturalmarket.com see ad on page 29
22
