How to Produce Grass Fed Beef

Cattle that are grass fed means that during their lifespan, they have never eaten any mature grain including corn. Studies have shown that the grass-fed beef have a higher amount of Omega-3 and less marbling, which means the beef has less fat distributed throughout the muscle; meaning it is better for human consumption.

Instructions

    • 1

      Provide ample pasture for your cattle. In the desert southwest, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Department (NRCD) recommends a stocking ratio of 40 acres per cow while on the eastern seaboard, the ration is 10 cows per acre. Your NRCD office can guide you on appropriate stocking ratios for your location.

    • 2

      Supplement pastures when necessary. Your cattle should be able to browse at will. If supplemental hay is necessary due to weather or emergencies, only grass hay or cereal-grain crops in a pre-grain or vegetative state can be fed to the cattle to qualify as grass-fed beef.

    • 3

      Supplement your cattle's diet with vitamins and minerals when and if necessary. This is one of the major advantages over the organic cattle which cannot have supplements. If your animal is sick, you can treat it with antibiotics without losing the grass-fed beef standard.