Difference between revisions of "Grass Fed"
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</ref> says that "most all beef cattle spend at least a portion of their lives on grass,"<ref name="beefmag">Beef Magazine. “What’s More Sustainable: Grain-Fed or Grass-Fed Beef?,” December 8, 2016. https://www.beefmagazine.com/agenda/what-s-more-sustainable-grain-fed-or-grass-fed-beef.</ref>. This calls into question the notion that the grass-fed claim confers something special and unique. | </ref> says that "most all beef cattle spend at least a portion of their lives on grass,"<ref name="beefmag">Beef Magazine. “What’s More Sustainable: Grain-Fed or Grass-Fed Beef?,” December 8, 2016. https://www.beefmagazine.com/agenda/what-s-more-sustainable-grain-fed-or-grass-fed-beef.</ref>. This calls into question the notion that the grass-fed claim confers something special and unique. | ||
| − | In addition to animal welfare claims, two other claims are often made about grass-fed livestock—that they are raised more | + | In addition to animal welfare claims, two other claims are often made about grass-fed livestock—that they are raised more sustainably and that they are healthier to eat. |
Regarding {{jfa-highlight | sustainability}}, in the same article Beef Magazine says that " the grain-fed model actually has the smallest footprint."<ref name="beefmag" /> For more information on the sustainability of grass-fed livestock see [https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-organic-grass-fed-livestock-is-not-as-sustainable-as-you-might-think/ this article] from One Green Planet our own article on [[Grazing]]. | Regarding {{jfa-highlight | sustainability}}, in the same article Beef Magazine says that " the grain-fed model actually has the smallest footprint."<ref name="beefmag" /> For more information on the sustainability of grass-fed livestock see [https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-organic-grass-fed-livestock-is-not-as-sustainable-as-you-might-think/ this article] from One Green Planet our own article on [[Grazing]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:40, 16 November 2019
Generic Grass-Fed Labelling. Even before the USDA dropped their regulation of the grass-fed label in 2016,[1] the designation had only to do with feeding and did not prohibit routine cruelties such as dehorning, castration, harsh living conditions, rough handling, and lack of veterinary care. No on-site inspection was required,[2] and animals could still slaughtered at an early age.[3]
Now, without even a definition of grass-fed provided by the USDA, producers are free to use the label no matter how much grass an animal has been fed. The designation is virtually meaningless.
Beef Magazine, the "the beef cattle industry’s authoritative source,"[4] says that "most all beef cattle spend at least a portion of their lives on grass,"[5]. This calls into question the notion that the grass-fed claim confers something special and unique.
In addition to animal welfare claims, two other claims are often made about grass-fed livestock—that they are raised more sustainably and that they are healthier to eat.
Regarding sustainability, in the same article Beef Magazine says that " the grain-fed model actually has the smallest footprint."[5] For more information on the sustainability of grass-fed livestock see this article from One Green Planet our own article on Grazing.
American Grass Fed Seal Products with the American Grass Fed seal from The American Grass Fed association are produced under a stricter standard. This standard is
- ↑ USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. “Grass Fed Marketing Claim Standard.” Accessed November 15, 2019. https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/beef/grassfed.
- ↑ “Labeling Guideline on Documentation Needed to Substantiate Animal Raising Claims for Label Submissions.” USDA FSIS, n.d. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/bf170761-33e3-4a2d-8f86-940c2698e2c5/Label-Approval-Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
- ↑ Whisnant, DVM, Patricia. “FAQ Grass Fed Beef.” American Grass Fed Beef (blog). Accessed October 25, 2018. https://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/faq-grass-fed-beef.asp
- ↑ Farm Progress Agricultural Marketing. “BEEF.” Accessed November 16, 2019. https://marketing.farmprogress.com/brands/livestock/beef/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Beef Magazine. “What’s More Sustainable: Grain-Fed or Grass-Fed Beef?,” December 8, 2016. https://www.beefmagazine.com/agenda/what-s-more-sustainable-grain-fed-or-grass-fed-beef.
