With rising consumer safety concerns particularly in regards to meat consumed, several studies have been done with the aim of establishing the best approach in raising beef cattle. These studies try to compare meat quality for grass-fed beef farms and those from mass production units. The latter option is known to be responsible for dangerous bacteria such as Listeria and E. Coli that have led to recalls some making headlines.
There are several disorders that can be associated to animal stress with the common one being subacute acidosis. The normal diet for cattle is pasture but in feedlots they are fed on grains. Animal stress is particularly caused by the change of diet from pasture to grain. In order to deal with these disorders, animals are normally given antibiotics and chemical additives resulting to meat full of chemicals. Overuse of medication is likely to result to new strains of bacteria. When these new strains of bacteria affect human, the medicine for treatment can be difficult to find.
The major attribute that attracts most consumers to beef products from cattle that are raised in grass farms is their nutritional value. The meat has lower levels of saturated fats and total fats in general. The cholesterol level and calories are also lower in quantities. Of major importance however are higher quantities of vitamin C and vitamin E that are recorded in meat products. Other beneficial attributes include higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene among several other nutrients.
In order to achieve maximum weight with grass, the farmers need skills that cut across scientific knowledge and acquired art. The target is to raise healthy grass for animal to graze on particularly in months preceding slaughtering time. In order to grow such high quality grass and legumes, there must be proper land management practices and healthy soils. This is in addition to skillful pasture management that targets to utilize pasture when at the optimal growth stage.
Normally, raising thousands of cattle in feedlots where they are confined in concentrations and are shifted from natural grass diet to grains can results to stress. This stress can be the cause of a number of disorders including subacute acidosis that is very common and painful. In order to manage these conditions, cattle are given antibiotics and other chemical additives some of which are used by humans as medicines. When overused in feedlots, bacteria develop resistance and when these new strains of resistant bacteria infect humans, the medical options are few.
A common disorder resulting from stress is subacute acidosis that is very painful. Antibiotics and other chemicals are used to manage these conditions. The problem is that antibiotics are most likely to be misused and bacteria develop resistance to the drugs. The new strains of bacteria can be very difficult to deal with when they affect humans.
As already said, feedlots cattle are responsible for the highest percentages of E. Coli and Listeria, both which are bacterial diseases that are less noticed in grass fed beef cattle. Campylobacter bacterial is also most likely to be present in feedlot (58%) than pasture fed cattle with only 2%. This bacterial is known symptoms such as muscle pain, upset stomach, fever and headache.
According to the standards of Animal Welfare Approved husbandry practices, cattle must be raised as humanely as possible with natural living habitat so as to obtain safer meat for the consumers. This is well observed in grass farms for cattle feeding.
There are several disorders that can be associated to animal stress with the common one being subacute acidosis. The normal diet for cattle is pasture but in feedlots they are fed on grains. Animal stress is particularly caused by the change of diet from pasture to grain. In order to deal with these disorders, animals are normally given antibiotics and chemical additives resulting to meat full of chemicals. Overuse of medication is likely to result to new strains of bacteria. When these new strains of bacteria affect human, the medicine for treatment can be difficult to find.
The major attribute that attracts most consumers to beef products from cattle that are raised in grass farms is their nutritional value. The meat has lower levels of saturated fats and total fats in general. The cholesterol level and calories are also lower in quantities. Of major importance however are higher quantities of vitamin C and vitamin E that are recorded in meat products. Other beneficial attributes include higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene among several other nutrients.
In order to achieve maximum weight with grass, the farmers need skills that cut across scientific knowledge and acquired art. The target is to raise healthy grass for animal to graze on particularly in months preceding slaughtering time. In order to grow such high quality grass and legumes, there must be proper land management practices and healthy soils. This is in addition to skillful pasture management that targets to utilize pasture when at the optimal growth stage.
Normally, raising thousands of cattle in feedlots where they are confined in concentrations and are shifted from natural grass diet to grains can results to stress. This stress can be the cause of a number of disorders including subacute acidosis that is very common and painful. In order to manage these conditions, cattle are given antibiotics and other chemical additives some of which are used by humans as medicines. When overused in feedlots, bacteria develop resistance and when these new strains of resistant bacteria infect humans, the medical options are few.
A common disorder resulting from stress is subacute acidosis that is very painful. Antibiotics and other chemicals are used to manage these conditions. The problem is that antibiotics are most likely to be misused and bacteria develop resistance to the drugs. The new strains of bacteria can be very difficult to deal with when they affect humans.
As already said, feedlots cattle are responsible for the highest percentages of E. Coli and Listeria, both which are bacterial diseases that are less noticed in grass fed beef cattle. Campylobacter bacterial is also most likely to be present in feedlot (58%) than pasture fed cattle with only 2%. This bacterial is known symptoms such as muscle pain, upset stomach, fever and headache.
According to the standards of Animal Welfare Approved husbandry practices, cattle must be raised as humanely as possible with natural living habitat so as to obtain safer meat for the consumers. This is well observed in grass farms for cattle feeding.
About the Author:
You can visit www.boeckmannfamilyfarmllc.com for more helpful information about The Benefits Of Raring Cattle On Grass-fed Beef Farms.
0 comments:
Post a Comment