We all know how important it is to be healthy – lest we forget, there’s an entire industry (and a very lucrative one at that) dedicated to constantly reminding us how to make better and healthier choices. From the more staid and well established Heart and Stroke Foundation to newcomers on the block, Real Meal Revolution led by Professor Tim Noakes. At times the sheer magnitude of information is staggering, and this is never more evident than when we head off to do our grocery shopping. What exactly does free-range mean and how does it compare to organic practises? What is the difference between a grass fed and a grain fed cow – and should you care? Read on if you’re in need of a little clarification, but keep in mind – just to add mud to the already muddied waters – these terms are not cast in stone and change according to country, regulation and interpretation.
Free Range is a method of farming which allows animals, for at least some of the day, to roam freely outdoors. Although many of these animals live within a fenced area, the area is large enough to allow them to wander about and graze freely, while benefiting from sunlight – something not possible for animals housed in enclosures 24 hours a day. Free range animals eat only plant-based foods, but that doesn’t mean that what they eat is organically produced or that the food doesn’t include approved artificial additives. It also does not mean that should an animal fall ill, it won’t be given antibiotics as part of its treatment.
Organic farming on the other hand does not utilise synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers or antibiotics of any kind; instead this type of farming relies on natural practises that preserve the environment. While South African law governing organic farming is still in draft form (http://www.saoso.org/Organic-Standards.php), the United States Department of Agriculture states that products carrying their organic seal ‘verifies that producers met animal health and welfare standards, did not use antibiotics or growth hormones, used 100% organic feed, and provided animals with access to the outdoors’.
Grain-Fed cows may start out on the range eating grass and drinking milk, but at a later stage these animals are moved to feedlots where their feed is controlled. According to the SA Feedlot Association SA grain fed beef ‘originates from specially selected animals fed only a nutritious diet of the highest quality grain products for a specific period’ – the SA Feedlot industry produces 75% of all beef produced in South Africa. If not strictly controlled, a natural concern for those of us wanting to make healthier choices is that feed may contain corn, soy-based protein supplements, antibiotics and growth hormones.
Grass-Fed or pasture-raised cows on the other hand live longer and are left to graze naturally in pastures. It’s an age old debate as to which of the two produce better tasting meat. For some, grain-fed beef, because they are slaughtered young, produce a more tender meat; whereas grass-fed cows, because they live longer, may be tougher, but then also tastier. As we noted earlier however, as with free-range farming, it’s not to say that because cows are left to graze on grass, said grass hasn’t been treated with synthetic fertilisers or herbicides.
Whichever choice you make, the important thing is to always choose a responsible supplier, one that is regularly audited, and adheres to the strictest hygiene and industry standards. For the best in quality wholesale meat and frozen food products, call N1 today.