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New here, question re: meat CSA
Hi -
DH and I are joining an organically-grown fruit/vegetable CSA with a local farmer for this coming season, but we are trying to figure out where to purchase our meat. All the terms are so confusing! I have spent time on the local harvest website, and I am just having a difficult time finding beef that has not been corn fed. I have actually heard that this is very rare. I just received this email from an extremely well-reviewed farmer with a great program. Could you tell me what you think? I am kind of thinking that at least it is better than getting our meat at the grocery store, going with it, and keeping my eye out for something else.
"Anyway, back to your questions.
Your corn question:
Pigs - don't do a lot of "grazing." They get most of their nutrition from feed we grind ourselves. This includes corn. I've never heard of a pig feed that doesn't include corn, due to their nutritional requirements.
Beef - are on pasture full time (hay right now.) They also get a very small amount of corn each day (about 2 cups) to round out their diet. If you want to discuss the specific benefits & reasons behind this, just let me know.
Chickens - are on pasture full time and also have full time access to feed we grind for them. The feed includes corn along with the other things then need in their diet. They choose individually how much or little they eat of the feed vs. graze & bug/worms. This is the standard way for raising natural/organic pasture chickens.
I hope I answered all your questions. Feel free to ask more; we gladly will answer as best we can."
Thanks ladies! DH and I are really doing our best to make some changes.
Re: New here, question re: meat CSA
I agree. The beef DH gets is never fed corn.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
At one point, I had an awesome pdf about meat labeling and feeding terms, like what does pasture raised mean, and now I can't find it dammit! Anywho, I would find a different farm. Corn is not a cow's natural diet, grass is. Cows that are fed corn, like in feedlots, get sick that's why the use of antibiotics are so prevalent. A corn-based diet causes liver failure also, that's why cows are kepts on feedlots for such a short amount of time before slaughter. I would aim for someone who doesn't feed their cows corn at all. We have several such vendors at our local farmer's market. I would try www.eatwild.com or www.localharvest.org to find a different farmer.
ETA: Don't be discouraged by this, it's really great that you're trying to find better vegetable and meat alternatives. When DH and I ate meat, we got it from our Farmer's Market. Several grass-fed beef farmers there, plus free-range chicken.
Pasture can be limited by the climate and terrain. Here in CA, it's impossible to have cows on pasture year-round (grass dies over long dry summers, winter is too wet).
I wouldn't call 2 cups of corn a day a "corn-based diet". It sounds to me like working with what they've got. I'd take him up on his offer to explain more about his feeding philosophy.
It may be different in Iowa, but in CA I haven't found anyone who doesn't feed any corn at all.
Hm. This farmer does not use any of the antibiotics or hormones that typically come with corn-fed beef. I think I am going to see what I can work out with the grass-fed farmers. The original farm I was looking at describes their cows as "range fed" and I know the terminology is tricky, which is why I asked them about it in the first place. From what I have read about, they are really a great farm. Darn those 2 cups a day!
I have a bunch of websites pulled up, I am going to look into it further later today.
I think this is a good indication that his methods are sustainable. Definitely check out all-grass fed options if you have them, but I wouldn't count this guy out by any means.
If you can't find other options, you might want to inquire about his corn. Is it organic corn (so you know they weren't eating GMO corn)? Like pp said, two cups per day doesn't sound like a huge amount to me. Check around and if you don't find anywhere else, see if you can go tour his farm and see how you feel about it after that.
You might also try to see if the Weston A Price Foundation has a yahoo group for your state/area. A lot of times you'll find people on there who have already done the research and found sources.