Growing up, I have only known one type of ranching, conventional cattle practices. Since I have grown older, I have become more interested in learning about an organic form of cattle practices.Together, let 's venture into the differences between the two. In both practices, you have to look at the land your cattle are run on and the set up a person uses. The rancher must also look at what treatments are given to their cows and calves.
Have you ever heard the saying, “You are what you eat?” This phrase, among others, has brought up the debate about whether organic or conventional beef is better for you. When looking at the differences, one must keep in mind what researchers are discussing. According to the USDA standards, organic livestock
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The fatty acid composition is one of the key areas to observe when looking at the difference between organic and traditional meat and dairy products. According to Chris Kresser, a beef producer, organic beef’s Omega-3 level is “47% higher” than conventional beef. Omega-3 is a fatty acid found in the meat of a cow that “reduce inflammation and have been shown to be protective against cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.” Another difference is the alpha-lipoic acid and ALA in milk. In organic milk, it is “69% higher than in conventional milk,” according to Kresser. ALA is “a powerful antioxidant” that is “used to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and enhance its clearance from the bloodstream” according to Kresser. In Kresser’s words,“Organic milk also had 41% higher conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) and 57% higher Omega-3 fatty acids.” Equally important to consider is the iodine and selenium levels. Other studies observed by Kresser shows that Organic meat has “slightly lower iodine and selenium levels, but higher iron and vitamin E levels.” Iodine is given to those with “elevated anti-thyroid antibody levels and hashimoto’s thyroiditis” before they can be given selenium supplements” according to Jeffrey Dach MD. The study being looked at says that “the iodine concentrations in conventional milk may be too high in animals receiving large amounts of fortified feed.” Some researchers of cattle that claim all these items can be found in conventional beef as
Both Pollan and Hurst agree that animals should be a part of our diet, however they disagree on the amount and type of meat people should consume. Pollan believes that people should limit the amount of meat that they eat, and that it should be organic (376). Hurst, on the other hand, believes that animals are free to be eaten, and that industrial farming is the only way to satisfy the increasing population. Both authors are concerned about the welfare of animals, but have opposing beliefs on how their wellbeing should be maintained. Hurst believes that animal should be upheld by the use of industrial farming tools that benefit the animals, such as pig gestational crates.
Pollan compares Naylor’s Farm and the Polyface Farm to understand the differences between organic and conventional farming. In organic farming, there are no synthetic
Despite the increase in organic buyers, the majority of people do not know how to merely interpret what the word organic even entails. The United States Department of Agriculture enforces and regulates the labeling of organic products, namely food products (cornucopia.org). In addition to the elusiveness of organic foods, organics are apt to be more expensive than conventional food; this is because instead of a huge manufacturing plant, one would be receiving their food products from a small farm (where a small amount of food is being grown and harvested). People choose to argue that organic food is far better for you than conventional or natural food; however, there are only minute differences between the two. Stephanie Watson, an executive editor of Harvard’s Women Health Watch, states:“The researchers discovered very little difference in nutritional content, aside from slightly higher phosphorous levels in many organic foods, and a higher omega-3 fatty acid content in organic milk and chicken” (Harvard.edu).
I originally thought about the word organic as fruits and vegetables picked freshly from the branches of a tree and packaged into stores and chickens wandering large fields, I realize that it is not that simple. Michael Pollan traced some of his organic purchases back to their sources and discovers that there are organic feedlots, organic dairy cows whose lives are not any nicer than the conventional, and organic “free-range” chickens whose only access to the outside world is a small door in their shed, which is only open for about two weeks. “The organic movement, as it was once called, has come a remarkably long way in the last thirty years, to the point where it now looks considerably less like a movement than a big business” (Pollan 138). My thoughts now on organic foods at supermarkets such as Wegmans and Walmart is that the animals aren’t treated as great as conventional foods. I’ve realized that the extra cost of organic that I pay is largely because of the transportation.
Organic is always associated with chemical-free production. However, does the word “Organic” on a label mean the product is indeed organic? Eliot Coleman in his article, “Beyond Organic”, published in December/January 2002 in the “Mother Earth News” magazine, claims that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has become a threat to the organic farmers. Coleman starts to grab readers’ attention with his personal experience, providing strong facts about organic food, and applying some emotional appeals; however, his audience is only convincing for organic farmers but not strong enough to convince the ordinary organic consumers.
The author of Defending Beef is Nicolette Hahn Niman, who is a writer, cattle rancher and former environmental lawyer. I believe she is a a credible source because of her expertise about the subject and first hand experience with raising grass-fed cattle as well as running a natural meat company. Together with her husband Bill Niman she founded BN Ranch, a natural meat company that offers grass-fed beef, lamb and turkey. She is also a writer whose essays have been published by well established newspapers like the New York times and Los Angeles Times, which further suggests her credibility. She has been a speaker at various food events such as the Ecofarm Conference and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Conference.
Did you know that it is a possibility for the beef, and dairy industry to not even be a thing in ten years.? Wow, that is some news nobody wants to hear. That means no more milk, steaks, or hamburgers. Now that is just unfortunate but there is hope for the industry. We have some of the greatest people in the nation to make that statement fail.
This stunned me at first because I thought organic meant the animals were treated humanely and there was no sort of corruption. This may not be for all farms but there are a lot where the animals don’t see a single blade of grass. These animals are also “tethered to milking machines three times a day.” What makes the milk organic though if they are still treated the same? Well, they are fed grain that is certified organic.
Catherine Badgley, the author of the article “Can Organic Food Feed the World?” wrote about the benefits of eating organic. One of the topics she discussed was that farmers make more money selling organic crops vs conventional crops. Catherine said “Organic foods may cost more than conventionally grown, but they’re more profitable for farmers... cost ratios are 20% to 24% higher for the same foods produce by conventional methods according to scientists from the Washington State University. ”(COFFtW)
The harmful effects of omega 3 however, only occur when you consume the incorrect portion size. When red meat is consumed, regardless of your serving size, you are exposed to those risks posed. This proving that omega 3 is more safe and beneficial.
As diets and health become more and more of a public concern in America. Two authors weigh in on their opinions on how the American public should handle the problem of obesity as well as their solutions to the overwhelming issue. In one article, “Against Meat,” published on the New York Times website in 2009, points out that the solution to obesity should be vegetarianism. Johnathan Foer who is a vegetarian, claims that his diet and way of living is his the way of improving health in the American public. Foer’s article provides a sense of humor as well as personal stories to attempt to persuade his audience for the ethical treatment of animals along with his personal solution for his own health and the health of his family.
Many people choose to eat only organic because it’s said to be healthier but when compared to non-organic food the difference is slim. Regardless people continue to buy organic products. People get emotionally connected to
Cow milk is meant for calves, not for humans. Cow milk can actually cause health problems like asthma. I know you are all asking yourself “How does she expect us to get calcium?”. As a matter of fact, leafy green vegetables have more calcium in them than milk does. Meat.
In today’s world, there is a division among the people in the world regarding whether or not it is ethical to eat meat. After researching about eating meat and vegetarianism, I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed ethical to eat meat in today’s society. Sure, eating meat might have its drawbacks, but I have found that the benefits of eating meat far outweigh the negatives of eating it. Eating meat not only helps improve people’s health, but it also helps strengthen our economy and it has little difference in the environmental impact that involves in the farming of vegetables. Eating too much of anything usually results in a negative outcome.
This type of organic food that is popular among many people is produced on organic farms. Farms belonging to this group foster recycling, speak for promotion of ecological balance concept and represent the direction of conserving environment. The process of growing organic food implies refusal from use of synthetic pesticides as well as other chemical stuff that increases fertility. According to the Food Marketing Institute, “Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and be given no antibiotics or growth hormones” (Natural And Organic Foods).