WHY 100% GRASS-FED?
THE SHORT ANSWER: TASTE AND HEALTH.
In a world where cancer, illness, obesity, heart disease and diabetes are out of control, we believe 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef is one piece of the puzzle to create health, intelligence and longevity. However, we don’t just eat it because it’s good for us. We choose grass-fed because it tastes great!
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
Research over the last 10-15 years has shown that 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef is richer in many essential nutrients than grain-fed beef. Grain-fed feedlots began to flourish in the 1950s and continued to expand until recently in order to consume an overabundance of grain being produced in the U.S. However, during that same time cancer, disease and illness have continued to climb at alarming rates. The standard American diet and industrial food system are broken and in dire need of a major change.
FEEDING GRASS BY DESIGN
The bovine was designed by our Creator to live, stay healthy and be totally sustained on a diet of grass and forage. In doing so, it keeps the soil fertile, returning native nutrients and minerals. Unfortunately, over 90% of the beef raised in the U.S. are feedlot cattle, fed a high-grain and high-energy diet the last 120 to 200 days of their lives in order to decrease the time to fatten the animal, increase the carcass yield and improve fat marbling.
HORMONES & ANTIBIOTICS
This high-grain feedlot diet causes the animal to develop a painful condition called “subacute acidosis” in which its body pH changes, resulting in a host of other health issues. These stressed cattle are already living in crowded, unsanitary conditions. To combat illness they are routinely given therapeutic low-level doses of antibiotics, ultimately resulting in the surge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria we see today in our food system—including E. coli, salmonella and staph.
Most cattle are also given hormones to improve their growth rate by 10-20% and decrease production costs by 5-10%. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) states that the amount of these hormones that ends up in food products is safe for consumption. We choose to err on the side of caution, however, and avoid them.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Other than flaxseed, most grains and modern vegetable oils are high in Omega 6 and 9 fats and are associated with an increase in inflammatory diseases. Omega 3, on the other hand, is inflammatory neutral.
Leading researchers, including Jo Robinson of Eatwild.com and the Weston A. Price Foundation, have found that grass-fed beef offers a higher ratio of Omega 3 fats, higher beta carotene (vitamin A), higher vitamin B and vitamin E, higher CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), higher antioxidants and higher mineral content.
These grass-fed benefits can help to decrease the risk of cancer, lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and promote general health, intelligence and longevity.
A RICH AND ROBUST FLAVOR
Finally, we feel that grass-fed beef simply tastes better than grain-fed beef. When raised wisely and cooked properly, Devon grass-fed beef has a particularly rich and robust flavor that is juicy and fine-textured. This fine flavor is derived from the grass, the breed of the animal, the management of the pastures, the age at which the animal is harvested and numerous other factors.
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
We encourage you to do your own research into the documented studies on 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
PARTNERSHIPS
Occasionally, we partner with a few select local producers who produce 100% grass-fed beef that meet our same high quality standards. We may do this during times when our production or their production has a short-term supply shortfall.
REFERENCES
- Weston A. Price Foundation, westonaprice.org
- Jo Robinson, EatWild.com
- Jeremy Engh, Devon Cattle: Perfect for Pasture, Perfect for Plate (2014)
- American Herbataurus Society, americanherbataurus.com
LINKS & RESOURCES
- Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, farmtoconsumer.org
- Red Devon USA, reddevonusa.com