What and which type of beef is it and where is it from?

[cbcr]

Was looking at some information and ran across this burger chain, BurgerFi.com

Here are my questions.  Right on the home page, the very first thing that you see is Locally Grown, but no where in there website is there any further information about "local".

Next, in their about us page they say that they "focus on all-natural, grass-fed beef. We do this because it tastes better, and it's better for you- with no chemicals, and no additives."

Now on another page here is what they say.

Natural Angus
We have all heard of Angus beef, but natural Angus is the highest standard in the industry and a standard that very few cattle ranches can measure up to.

No Antibiotics or Hormones

News reports warn us of the potential dangers posed to humans as a result of animals exposed to antibiotics and hormones. But did you know that farming processes that are antibiotic and hormone free also have direct benefits for the cattle as well? The cattle mature more slowly and naturally resulting in optimal tenderness and marbeling creating a better overall product.

Vegetarian Fed

Only natural feed and rations, such as grains, hay, pasture grass and legumes are fed to the cattle that are then finished on a corn-based diet for true corn-fed flavor. Healthy cattle create healthier and more flavorful beef.

Two questions.  Where does their beef come from, is it local or not?  Is it grass-fed or corn-fed?

 

[knabe]

Only natural feed and rations, such as grains, hay, pasture grass and legumes are fed to the cattle that are then finished on a corn-based diet for true corn-fed flavor. Healthy cattle create healthier and more flavorful beef.

Two questions.  Where does their beef come from, is it local or not?  Is it grass-fed or corn-fed?

it's nothing and everything.  perfect marketing for people looking for what they want to hear.

with regard to slower maturing, there are at least two comments, one is that grass fed mature and get fat later which almost everyone knows, but also, 60's angus genetics mature later as well and some old timers will claim slightly older slaughters dates make the meat more tender and taste better.  i haven't found an independent study to analyze any of that.

 

[Telos]

Knabe has got it right, IMO.
"it's nothing and everything.  perfect marketing for people looking for what they want to hear".

Less then 12% of food product is organic in a typical Whole Foods Market. There is an illusion of more. What about the other non-organics? Are they not as good, less healthy, for you? Are they less sustainable?

Good marketing is about painting a perfect picture for a very naive public who wants everything to be ideal.

 

[Duncraggan]

The old saying "Bullsh*t baffles brains" has never been more apt.

Very well put Knabe!

 

[cbcr]

This is not the only place that these types of false or scare type of tactics have or are being used.

The other day we were visiting with a grocer, even they have signage and information at the meat counter that is inaccurate when it comes to describing beef, pork and poultry products.  Many of them are really unaware that some of the statements that are made are inaccurate and false.

Did you know that the Meat Case is one of the most profitable centers in a grocery store?  That is one of the things that if the meat case has fresh and good looking products it attracts the customers.

Part of the problem is that all of the promotional material is done by advertising agency's that have really no knowledge of agricultural products and further they don't care to try and do any research.

Once we pointed out some of the inaccuracies, this grocer was going to check and try to see why this happened.

Should we as farmers and (we are consumers as well) make an attempt to try and educate our customers?  Yes even the grocer is a customer even though they do not directly purchase from us.

It was pointed out to me the other day that in the last 20+ years that the "Beef, it's what for dinner" "Pork, the other white meat" and "Got milk" campaigns and promotions have been around, per capita consumption of beef, pork and fluid milk have all declined.  Chicken on the other hand, has had NO campaign or promotion but the consumption of poultry has increased.  What is wrong with this picture?

It is very interesting to read article after article in some of the consumer magazines that consumers have become so confused with product labels, and also the fact that you have organic producers, grass-fed and corn-fed producers all trying to make claims against each other, that many of them have turned to chicken for their protein source.  Aren't we as producers no matter what products we produce in the same industry?  Shouldn't we try to find some common ground and work together to increase consumer's use of BEEF?

 

[knabe]

The choir is smaller, but ads still preach to the choir.

Harris ranch has some new products.

Made some cross rib roast in an antique griswold cast iron dutch oven today. Awesome. So easy. Just leave it in oven.  Most people wont do that. But if you did it for them with home style recipe, people might try it. Thats sort of what harris beef is trying to do.  Didnt care too much for their meat loaf, butnother stuff was good.

 

[SeannyT]

Vegetarian Fed

Only natural feed and rations, such as grains, hay, pasture grass and legumes are fed to the cattle that are then finished on a corn-based diet for true corn-fed flavor. Healthy cattle create healthier and more flavorful beef.

"Vegetarian Fed"... Got a kick out of that. This reminds me of A&W Canada's new campaign for hormone and steroid-free beef they are using for their burgers. I'll give it to them--they're jumping on a new promotion made of false assumptions that will probably work to their favour with regards to increased sales. However, the science backing up their claims is not there, and as well this move has forced them to source almost all of their beef from outside of Canada now. This article puts it into perspective: http://www.realagriculture.com/2013/10/im-done-with-fearing-food-and-done-with-aw-andrew-campbell/.

Stuff like this needs to be played on the news and put in papers to inform the 98% of our population who is likely not aware of the facts.

 

[knabe]

Stuff like this needs to be played on the news and put in papers to inform the 98% of our population who is likely not aware of the facts.

98% of the population is not interested in facts.

98% of the population is interested in emotion.

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

As beef producers we should strive to produce the healthiest, best tasting source of protein at a minimum of input. You can't worry about the other industries. They aren't going anywhere. I like to eat all of them. A lot. I raise all of them to eat. I love fried chicken. Bacon. Ham. Tenderloins. Sausage. Eggs. It's hard to know who's right and wrong in the best way to raise beef. So much misinformation to navigate. It boils down to what works for you. Just like choosing genetics when you think about it. I agree we need to come together to move forward.

My personal opinion. I'll take a grass finished steer done properly over a steer finished in a feed lot eating GMO corn and beans. It's just my opinion. Until more studies are done on GMO's I'll stick to eating them coming off months of eating green leafy things. I don't care for vegetables but if my chickens, hogs and cattle are eating it then it's a win win to me! I killed two birds with one stone.  <beer>

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

By the way as I understand it, the term local is defined by a 800 mile radius.

 

[knabe]

Until more studies are done on GMO's I'll stick to eating them coming off months of eating green leafy things.<beer>

Is that one study or infinity?

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

Until I feel I know enough about GMO's to make a better decision then I can now. Many countries have banned GMO. I just read where Hawaii has banned them on the big island.

 

[knabe]

Personally I would ban dolphin assisted births.

I would also ban people. They are not natural.

If behavior causes the spread of disease, it should be banned.

No research should be allowed to cure disease caused by behavior.

I mean at least be consistent.

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

I never said they should be banned. I have no problem with anybody else disagreeing with me. We should have a choice. I merely stated the deal about Hawaii as one of several reasons I want to avoid them when possible.

How are people not natural?

 

[knabe]

http://www.truthabouttrade.org/2013/09/05/apocalyptic-talk-and-serious-issues-at-big-island-gmo-ban-debate/

"On the sidelines of a parade of two-minute talks by members of the public, there was even an argument between a widely respected retired scientist and the founder of an organization involved in dolphin-assisted human births."

dolphins should be allowed to vote and have personhood instead of being forced into slave labor.



so you agree hawaii should be able to ban gmo and not allow choice?

it's ok if the ban doesn't affect anyone locally, but when a potential ban in your area comes up, what will you do if they ban it?

the same logic would apply with regard to animal husbandry, ie there should be none, ie no castration and planned matings.

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

No I don't agree with banning them. I think we should each have a choice in what we eat but also be aware of exactly what we are eating. If Hawaii chooses to ban them totally then what can I do about it? If it happens in my area, I'll dot best to support free choice. I'd go to very far lengths to make sure choice is still a option. I'll go as far as I have to. We all should.

 

[cbcr]

In looking up GMO, I ran across this statement from one of the websites talking about Animal Feed:

2. Animal feed

A large percentage of animal feed is made up of crops such as soybeans. The world's three largest producers and exporters of soybeans, the U.S., Argentina and Brazil, all grow mostly GM soybeans. This means the chances of livestock eating GM feed is very high, no matter where in the world you live. While not all corn is genetically modified, it is simply cheaper and more efficient to feed livestock the crops that are GM. The same is true of GM rapeseed oil used in the production and processing of animal feed.

A large part of the GM presence in animal feed does not come from foodstuff but instead from additives aimed at making food more nutritious. Animal feed is commonly enhanced with vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and even coloring. These additives are passed on to the animal's system and eventually make their way into your body when you consume meat, eggs or dairy products. Traces of GM cannot, however, be detected in animal by-products, so it's impossible to know if an animal was raised on GM-enhanced feed. Unless you buy organic meat and dairy products, it might be impossible to determine what you're eating.

Now, if you look at just about any of the marketing variations; Natural, Organic, Never Ever 3, etc.  They all allow the feeding of vitamins and minerals.  Now what?

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

It's enough to make your head spin. This is what I know. My pastures are natural grasses. The bugs are all natural if the animals I eat are eating the things I deem beneficial then that's about all I can do. Whatever anybody else deems appropriate for their situation is their business. I think to much fear is being spread. I'm all for new technologies but only if they are truly beneficial.

 

[aj]

I know a guy who summers out here from California. This guy knows a guy who has a fruit or veggie farm. This guy is NOT organic. But he would a rejected product(with blemishes).......sell them roadside.......as organic(never sprayed for bugs or whatever). So some yuppie is buying a fruit with a blemish.....that isn't organic.....has been sprayed AND rejected......under normal guidlines.......at a premium......and everybody has a warm fuzzy feeling.