OldDog/NewTricks
Well-known member
3. PROPOSED STANDARD FOR U.S. "GRASS-FED" BEEF
There is no government definition in the U.S. for free-range beef.
After a failed attempt in 2002, the U.S. Department Agriculture in May
proposed a standard for grass-fed beef (which is not necessarily the
same as free range). Under the standard, beef with this label must come
from cattle who have eaten at least 99% grass from the time of weaning
until they go to the slaughterhouse. According to a Washington Post
article: "'Eighty percent of calves are born in the spring and weaned in
September.' After that, they graze on grass or mesquite during their
roughly 20-to-30-month-long lives. If the proposed USDA standard is
finalized, 'grass-fed' steers will keep grazing until they go to the
slaughterhouse. The others, including many certified organic cattle,
will likely spend their last couple of months eating corn, barley or
other grain in a feedlot to add the final 250 to 400 pounds before
slaughter, when they weigh about 1,200 pounds."
A public comment period on the "grass-fed" standard is open until August
10; comments may be emailed to [email protected].
What's the Beef?
The Washington Post, Sally Squires, August 1, 2006
http://tinyurl.com/mgjum
There is no government definition in the U.S. for free-range beef.
After a failed attempt in 2002, the U.S. Department Agriculture in May
proposed a standard for grass-fed beef (which is not necessarily the
same as free range). Under the standard, beef with this label must come
from cattle who have eaten at least 99% grass from the time of weaning
until they go to the slaughterhouse. According to a Washington Post
article: "'Eighty percent of calves are born in the spring and weaned in
September.' After that, they graze on grass or mesquite during their
roughly 20-to-30-month-long lives. If the proposed USDA standard is
finalized, 'grass-fed' steers will keep grazing until they go to the
slaughterhouse. The others, including many certified organic cattle,
will likely spend their last couple of months eating corn, barley or
other grain in a feedlot to add the final 250 to 400 pounds before
slaughter, when they weigh about 1,200 pounds."
A public comment period on the "grass-fed" standard is open until August
10; comments may be emailed to [email protected].
What's the Beef?
The Washington Post, Sally Squires, August 1, 2006
http://tinyurl.com/mgjum
