Beef.... A Farmers Perspective
As a US cattle rancher, farmer and mother, my number one priority is to produce healthy and nutritious food for your family and mine. My family takes great pride in our cattle and the land which we farm. So, I’m glad to take this opportunity to explain the many different types of beef and the meaning of the various labels that accompany them.
Organic, all-natural, no hormones, grass fed or USDA Choice or Select beef, when you are choosing beef for your family it can be confusing. Let’s take a few minutes to sort through the options for this great tasting center of the plate protein.
USDA Graded Beef
This is the most abundant and inexpensive choice. All beef is naturally free of chemicals and pesticides and is inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). When the beef is marked with a ‘quality’ grade like Choice or Select it means that a USDA inspector looked at the carcass and determined it’s quality by the amount of fat within the muscle of the rib-eye. The higher the amount of tiny fat deposits in the muscle the higher or better the quality grade. These tiny fat deposits are called marbling and influence the taste and flavor of the beef. Beef containing lots of marbling are generally given the “grade” of Prime or Choice. If you’re looking for a leaner cut of beef Select grade has the least amount of fat. You may want to lengthen your cooking time or change your method though. Generally the Select grade of beef is less juicy and tender than Choice cuts are.
Natural
To be labeled “natural” USDA requires 3 things: The product (1) must be minimally processed, (2) cannot contain any artificial ingredients and (3) cannot contain any preservatives. Honestly I think all of the fresh beef you find at the meat counter would meet these criteria even though it may only be labeled as “USDA Choice”. Some brands make their own label requirements and make those claims on the labels. When these claims are made they can be “process verified” through USDA. This means that to back up the claim the seller makes them go through a verification process the USDA offers to prove the marketing claim. Claims are monitored by USDA for truthfulness and they watch for deceptive marketing claims like “hormone-free”. The ‘hormone free’ label is considered deceptive because all beef has hormones naturally. USDA is in the process of writing a rule that defines natural beef. They are struggling with defining natural beef, because all beef if not further cooked and processed is a natural product.
Grass fed
Grass fed beef is produced from cattle that are grown only on grass and are never fed any grain or grain by-products. This usually results in a different flavor and sometimes texture of the meat. To meet USDA standards, grass fed beef must also have continuous access to pasture during the growing season.
Claims are made that beef grown under certain conditions, like grass fed, are higher in Vitamin A, Vitamin E, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or Omega-3’s. However, these claims fail to mention that though higher, they are not ‘significantly’ higher. All beef has Vitamin A, E, CLA and Omega 3 fatty acids contained in the fatty part of the meat. If you want to increase these nutrients eat the fat along with the lean.
Organic
Organic beef is raised without the use of antibiotics, artificial hormones (all meats, vegetables and fruits have natural hormones). Additionally to be certified organic the cattle cannot be fed any feed that has been grown using chemicals. To raise certified organic grain the field must have no chemicals on it for at least three years.
Paying more
Sometimes we pay more for products that have extensive advertising or health claims and it is a full time job just sorting through it all. Remember studies show no significant differences in nutrition, chemical and artificial hormone residue in beef raised under different production practices mentioned above.
All beef is a great source of zinc, iron and protein and is tested to be free of chemicals. Whatever your style, USDA Choice, Natural, Grass fed or Organic remember all beef is a nutrient dense protein source for your family. If you would like some simple recipes organized by the cut of beef you’re cooking or information on choosing the right cut visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner.
I hope this helps you in your beef buying choices and you understand them better. If you have more questions about how beef is produced visit our family’s blog at Beer Ranch. I love answering food related questions from other moms interested in feeding their families the best (for the land and nutrition). As a farmer and rancher I can find answers from real experts in our fields….the people who grow it.
Danni Beer
Cattle rancher, farmer, mother and guest writer for HNN!
Your partner in health,
Alison
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