Comments on: I’ll Take “Feed the Cows Grass for $1000, Alex” http://www.modernforager.com/blog/2007/05/08/ill-take-feed-the-cows-grass-for-1000-alex/ Respect Your Food. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:58:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Tracy http://www.modernforager.com/blog/2007/05/08/ill-take-feed-the-cows-grass-for-1000-alex/#comment-48 Tracy Fri, 18 May 2007 15:54:00 +0000 http://www.modernforager.com/blog/?p=107#comment-48 Amazing what's happened in the pursuit of lower overhead/expenditure. Really shows what society values. Amazing what’s happened in the pursuit of lower overhead/expenditure. Really shows what society values.

]]> By: anna in San Diego, CA http://www.modernforager.com/blog/2007/05/08/ill-take-feed-the-cows-grass-for-1000-alex/#comment-47 anna in San Diego, CA Tue, 08 May 2007 18:41:00 +0000 http://www.modernforager.com/blog/?p=107#comment-47 I'm with you, Scott. But I think the transition would be far from simple. There's more to it than just subbing grass for grain (or even worse, cow chow). Americans are used to beef that is relatively cheap, always available, and tastes pretty uniform (bland). Grass fed beef takes longer to get to market, is somewhat seasonal, is generally (although not always) more expensive, and can vary quite a bit more than grain-fed in taste & tenderness. And it needs to be cooked a bit differently (sometimes longer or shorter and/or at lower temps). <br/><br/>And then there's the huge issue of the processing plants, the extremely fast speed of "the line" and fecal contaimination, no matter what the feed. Just slowing down the line would make a tremendous difference in fecal contamination in the meat, not to mention worker safety. But folks would have to accept that the cost of that 99¢ hamburger would go up. Higher prices for higher quality.<br/><br/>That said, I think your idea of at least a short transition to grass near slaughtering time would be a good start. But logistically, getting all that bulky grass or hay to those feedlots (compared to less bulky cow chow), seems prohibitive. <br/><br/>I regularly ask for grass fed beef at my local markets just so they know someone is looking for it. I have been able to find a small selection at Trader Joe's, imported South American organic GF beef at a local "natural" small chain, and at another Wild Oats store. Additionally, at cetain times of the year I can get some from a local farm (not more expensive, but requires an advance committment, space in the freezer, etc.). For our meals at home, if we don't have GF beef, we have GF lamb instead. I am trying to "be the change I want to see". I’m with you, Scott. But I think the transition would be far from simple. There’s more to it than just subbing grass for grain (or even worse, cow chow). Americans are used to beef that is relatively cheap, always available, and tastes pretty uniform (bland). Grass fed beef takes longer to get to market, is somewhat seasonal, is generally (although not always) more expensive, and can vary quite a bit more than grain-fed in taste & tenderness. And it needs to be cooked a bit differently (sometimes longer or shorter and/or at lower temps).

And then there’s the huge issue of the processing plants, the extremely fast speed of “the line” and fecal contaimination, no matter what the feed. Just slowing down the line would make a tremendous difference in fecal contamination in the meat, not to mention worker safety. But folks would have to accept that the cost of that 99¢ hamburger would go up. Higher prices for higher quality.

That said, I think your idea of at least a short transition to grass near slaughtering time would be a good start. But logistically, getting all that bulky grass or hay to those feedlots (compared to less bulky cow chow), seems prohibitive.

I regularly ask for grass fed beef at my local markets just so they know someone is looking for it. I have been able to find a small selection at Trader Joe’s, imported South American organic GF beef at a local “natural” small chain, and at another Wild Oats store. Additionally, at cetain times of the year I can get some from a local farm (not more expensive, but requires an advance committment, space in the freezer, etc.). For our meals at home, if we don’t have GF beef, we have GF lamb instead. I am trying to “be the change I want to see”.

]]> By: nightwitch http://www.modernforager.com/blog/2007/05/08/ill-take-feed-the-cows-grass-for-1000-alex/#comment-46 nightwitch Tue, 08 May 2007 11:28:00 +0000 http://www.modernforager.com/blog/?p=107#comment-46 This is why I keep praying that ethanol production drives corn prices higher and cattle ranchers will have no choice but to grass feed because it WILL actually be cheaper. Then maybe I can afford to buy more grass fed beef! Put corn in our cars, not in our cows! This is why I keep praying that ethanol production drives corn prices higher and cattle ranchers will have no choice but to grass feed because it WILL actually be cheaper. Then maybe I can afford to buy more grass fed beef! Put corn in our cars, not in our cows!

]]>