Grass feed? Grass? Ranch breeding? What?
USDA, which oversees beef production, says method “Grass and forages should be the feed source consumed by ruminants throughout their lifetime, except for the milk consumed before weaning. The diet should only come from feed made of grass forages… Animals cannot feed grains or cereal by-products and must be during the growing season Enter the ranch continuously.”
In other words, herbivorous cows can only eat grass. All the cows will start eating grass. While agricultural habits vary, cattle usually begin care, grazing and living on pasture for the first six months or so. The traditionally raised cattle then transfers them to a feedlot for three to four months (sometimes more) where they feed the grains, which is a more economical way to get them to the market.
However, there is still a big difference between grass-fed beef and even “grass beef”. It turns out that the definition of “grass” is different. The best herbivorous beef tends to stay on the ranch (ideal organic ranch without spraying pesticides), and you find that the more common herbivorous beef prepackaged in local supermarkets are sent for feeding and feeding grass pellets. The best way you know about herbivorous beef is from cows that actually eat grass, which is to know your local rancher and family farm. If you don’t have a local rancher, that’s where this guide comes from.
