V. Mac's Beef Tips-July, 2005

Did you know?

Honest to Goodness Grass-Fed Charolais Cattle

Just 50-60 Years Ago, American’s Beef Was Mostly Grass-fed

There has been a lot published about the use of hormones and antibiotics in our commodity beef system. It is true that these practices are routinely used to maximize cattle weight gains. However, many researchers believe that feeding grain to cattle in modern feedlots is having more serious consequence on our national health.

Prior to the late 1940’s, cattle were raise mostly on grass. In fact, I can still remember the signs behind the meat counters – “USDA Choice -Western Range-Fed Beef”. Most of the beef was from older steers (2-3 years old and older) with grass-fed carcass fat that was yellow. These steers where loaded with natural Omega 3 and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), the kind of fatty acids that are good for your health.

Following WWII, the US petroleum industry converted its’ excess fuel capacity to making chemical fertilizers. The returning GI’s when back to the farm and armed with cheap chemical fertilizers and the advent of hybrid corn, America soon became awash with CORN. Feeding corn to cattle was promoted as the grand solution for surplus corn. Hence, the modern feedlot industry was born. Just about every cattleman began to use corn to fatten their steers (including yours truly). Soon new signs when up behind the meat counters – “USDA Choice – Western Corn-fed Beef”. And American consumers began their love affair with the flavor of juicy corn-fed fat beef.

In my next Newsletter, I will explain why some believe that the corn oil industry and feedlot corn-fed fat may be contributing to the decline in our national health.