Ground Beef | Grass fed vs Grain fed beef vs Local beef | Health benefits
Ground beef is one of the most versatile, economical, and nutrient-dense foods for us to consume. Many factors go into the seemingly dull staple, so I am comparing and contrasting three different ones.
There are many different lenses to look through in the comparisons, and I cannot address them all here.
I went to Walmart and bought two pounds. One was the most common and economical, and the other I would have bought if I didn't have local meat available.
1. Regular ground beef
a. 73/27 Lean/fat blend
b. $4.47 lb, the least expensive package not in a roll
c. Origin - Who knows
2. Grass-fed and finished
a. 90/10 lean/fat blend
b. $5.98 lb
c. Origin - Not sure
3. Local Grassfed and finished
a. 90/10 lean/fat blend
b. $9 lb
c. Atkins, Arkansas - Hoien Farms
In preparing for this presentation, the first challenge I encountered was the need for more transparency about where the beef was coming from. As I dove deeper into my research, it became even more confusing. Imported beef can be labeled as a product of the USA, even though the cattle never lived in the country. For example, a cow raised in Brazil can be processed and sent to the USA for packaging and labeled as "Grass-fed and Grass-finished" with USDA Inspected labels.
I have nothing against imported beef. Many countries have exceptional husbandry standards. However, I want to know the source of my food and believe we should feed ourselves.
Finding the origin source of regular ground beef can be even more concerning. It usually comes from the commodity market and almost certainly from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), where livestock is raised in varying degrees of confinement in a factory-type system, leading to high-volume production. Farmers and ranchers sell their calving operations into the commodity market.
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Feeder cattle are weaned calves that weigh between 600 and 800 pounds. They are then fed a high-energy diet in a feedlot to promote weight gain, and when they reach a weight of about 1,200 to 1,400 pounds, they are slaughtered to produce beef.
I have discovered that even one pound of ground beef can come from many cattle. The price of commodity beef is highly correlated to the cost of feed, which is made from corn, soy, and wheat.
The most expensive meat is locally raised grass-fed and finished beef from small markets like ours, but it offers the most transparency and keeps the most money in the local economy.
For example, with Hoien beef, I can trace the product from the burger back to the farming family that raised the cattle, the processing facility, and all of the $9 spent by the consumer stays within an 80-mile stretch along I-40.
In many instances, especially on our partner farm, the animals live their entire lives in one place which is a stark contrast to commodity beef.
Everyone has different taste preferences, but I personally prefer grass-fed beef. However, some people may find it too "dry." I cook our ground beef in tallow or ghee, which adds fat and flavor, giving it a richness, but without the gamey taste sometimes associated with venison.
Local ground beef also has a distinct advantage in scent, as it does not have an unpleasant odor, unlike store-bought beef, even the grass-fed variety. The grass-fed in our experience, has a rich smell but in a pleasantly savory way. The color of the meat is also a stark contrast, but I am becoming wary of relying on color as additives can be deceptive.
There are many differences, and the visuals are telling.
Hopefully, these comparisons give you some
information to the best choice for you.
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Located just outside of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Me & McGee Market provides an outlet for local farmers and producers. In a relaxing environment, Arkansas products can be found such as meats such as grass-fed beef, buffalo, pork, lamb, and poultry. As well as, plants, eggs, honey, fresh produce, spices, jams, and jellies! As an extension of these farmers and artisans, we cherish the retail responsibility of our partnerships, especially interacting and connecting with customers.
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