grass fed beef, lamb, freezers

[dooleysm]

I've read quite about about how grass fed is better for you than grain fed. We've gotten our beef from my wife's uncle for the past few years and he finishes his on grain for the last month or two. We've got quite a bit left in the freezer, but I want to try some grass fed beef and think about getting a grass fed half next time. The wife will be the one to convince though, she's not big on change and is pretty set in her ways.

Kind of odd for a 28 year old, right?

 

[studor]

Freezers are not all made in Asia -- Woods Brand is made here in Canada and has a very good reputation (we have an upright -- no problems in 5 years)
As for grass fed only it appears that this generates the highest amount of methane which is bad for the planet (and most of the methane comes out the front ) Personally I don't notice a big difference in taste -- depends more on how much fat there is on the animal (unfortunately more -- fat better taste IMHO)

 

[randy41]

You should try to find some grass finished steaks somewhere Shawn and you and your wife could try them out. I think there is a website that lists sellers. I wouldn't buy a half until I tried a little bit first. And I wouldn't assume that all grass finished beef is the same. Before I bought the 1/4 I tried a couple of ribeyes and some ground from the farm I bought the 1/4 from. If the meat wasn't good I would have gone elsewhere.
There are many reasons that people want locally produced food. Some people don't care. Who's right? Who cares. Get whats right for you.
http://www.eatwild.com/products/indiana.html
try that link. I don't remember if linking is allowed on this board and if not please fix up my post moderators.

 

[MarkV]

Anyone have a feel for how raising your own and having it butchered compares price whys to buying retail?

I was raised in Northern Illinois where much of the beef is corn feed and I thought it was the best I ever had. The folks bought a half each year for the freezer. Locally here in Georgia we have a friend that raises beef and at a point ships them to Illinois feed lots for finishing. I have tried to persuade him to finish one out here for butchering so we could buy a half but he just doesn’t think it economical.

MarkV

 

[MotorSeven]

Here it's .45 cents a pound to have a beef processed. We have been buying from a neighbor- all grass fed, total was about $2.50lb for all. It is different from supermarket, but it's so much better, so we will never go back. I will be buying some weaned calves soon & grass feed 'em until next year, so we can save some more $.
Also, it must hang for 2 weeks or better for optimum flavor & tenderness.

RD

 

[N80]

My B-I-L is a rancher. They keep one calf a year, primarily grass fed, to butcher for themselves. I've eaten a fair amount of it, and I must admit, its not too good. A bit tough. Not as rich and flavorful as grain feed. Similar thing with a cousin who raises a few cows. I'm not saying its bad, its just not great and not near as good as good store bought and does not hold a candle to prime beef...which I get almost never.

I've done a fair amount of reading about grass fed beef and the truth is, there aren't many really good reviews. But there are some. The reviews are better if you read ones done by people who have an idealogical investment in the whole organic/natural movement.

Which just shows that it is a matter of taste. Traditionally beef has been valued for its fat content and fat flavor. I just don't think grass fed beef is ever going to be achieve grain fed fat and taste. But that does not have to mean that grain fed is better. It just means that it is different. But people's taste for beef is going to have to change for the grass fed to generate the same demand and willingness to pay top dollar that grain fed has.

The other thing that seems interesting is that in the reviews, the taste and quality of the grass fed beef varied a lot from farm to farm. I imagine types of grass, additional feed, levels of activity, etc all come into play.

I have never purchased commercially sold grass fed beef. But I like what most people like in beef, which is the fat content. Sure, its not as good for you, and it costs more, but man it tastes good. Like nothing else really. And I'm not averse to lean meat. I eat more venison than anything else. But when I really want steak, prime rib, etc., its going to take a lot of convincing for me to try grass fed, especially if it is expensive.

I do like the idea though. I've been trying to get my B-I-L to isolate about 1/4 of his herd to sell locally to people who want grass fed. I think he will need to feed some corn, but I would not give that part of the herd steroids...because the folks wanting grass fed usually don't want that. I think this would just provide a hedge against the beating that cattle ranchers take from the middlemen/buyers.