Grass-Fed vs. Corn-Fed Beef

Do you know the differences between grass-fed and corn fed beef? I certainly didn't know until recently when I read a chapter from Michael Pollan's book called the Omnivore's Dilemma. This chapter focuses on industrial feedlots or concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and the impacts of these feedlots on the health of the animals, humans, and the environment. It also explains the consequences of taking cows off of their native diet of grass of which they have been eating for hundreds of years and switching them to a corn based diet. Below I list out the pros and cons of both grass-fed and corn-fed beef.

Cons of Corn-Fed Beef:

-Each cow consumes nearly a gallon of oil when you think about the oil needed to grow the corn that feeds the cow, the oil needed to transport the corn, and the oil needed to transport cows from smaller farms to feedlots and eventually to slaughterhouses.

-Feedlots produce lots of harmful waste. This waste is full of toxic metals, hormone residues, and persistent chemicals that can leach into the earth.

-There is a high death rate of 3% in feedlots.

-Cows experience bloat due to the corn fermentation in their rumen. The fermentation process produces copious amounts of gas which is usually resolved with belching, however when too much corn is consumed fermentation can stop all together and gas gets trapped inside the rumen. The gas expands, eventually pressing against the cow’s lungs. Unless something is done, the animal will suffocate.

-Cattle rarely exceed 150 days in a feedlot because it has been observed that after 150 days cows can no longer tolerate eating corn. Therefore, after 150 days they start to die.

-Cow acidosis can occur from eating corn. This is where the neutral pH of a cow's stomach becomes acidified which leads to acidosis and heartburn. Cow acidosis can leas to diarrhea, ulcers, bloat, rumenitis, liver disease, and weakening of the immune system.

-The feedlot environment can lead to cow diseases such as pneumonia, coccidiosis (parasitic disease), enterotoxemia (infection), and feedlot polio.

-Cows are confined to small manure filled pens in feedlots.

-Cows are often given supplemental liquified fat in the form of beef tallow which is trucked in from nearby slaughterhouses. They are also given protein supplements consisting of molasses and urea. Their feed can also be supplemented with feather meal, chicken litter, fish, and pork parts.

-Corn fed beef contains more saturated fat and a higher ratio of omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are highly inflammatory in humans.

-Pharmaceuticals like antibiotics and hormones are also given to cows to prevent and help with sickness and enhance growth. These drugs can also leach into our environment. The overuse of these antibiotics is also creating drug resistant bacteria.

-The corn that cows are fed is often laden with chemical fertilizers like glyphosate.

Pros of Corn-Fed Beef:

-Less expensive than grass-fed beef, making it more assessable to more people.

-Corn is a compact source of calories and energy that fattens up cows quickly and efficiently. Pshtt...does this apply to humans? Do we get fatter quicker by eating corn?

-A corn based diet is less expensive because corn is federally subsidized.

Cons of Grass-Fed Beef:

-It takes more land to grow grass-fed beef.

-Grass-fed beef is often more expensive compared to corn-fed beef. However, if you find a local farmer and purchase grass-fed beef in bulk it can be the same price as corn-fed beef found in supermarkets.

-Cows grown on grass take longer to reach slaughter weight.

-If grassland cattle ranching is not done properly it can harm grasslands if over grazing occurs. However, if cattle ranching is done through rotational grazing patterns, grasslands can thrive.

Pros of Grass-Fed Beef:

-The cow's manure is used to fertilize the land.

-The power of the sun is used to produce grass for cattle to graze on rather than fossil fuels.

-Grass fed cows take care of the earth.

-Grasslands are healthier when cattle are allowed to graze them. The cows help spread grass seed, they then plant the seeds with their hooves, and they prevent shrubs and trees from growing on the grasslands.

-Cows are able to digest grass so well because they have a specialized organ called a rumen. Their rumen is a 45 gallon fermentation tank where bacteria reside and dine on grass.

-Cows don't get sick when fed grass which reduces the use of antibiotics.

-Grass-fed beef contains more healthy omega-3 fatty acids, more carotenoids (antioxidants), more of vitamins A and E, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which improves immunity and is anti-inflammatory.

-Grass-fed beef contains no antibiotics or hormones.

-Cows are happier because they have more space to roam and graze on grass.

Just remember that what the cows eat we are essentially eating. The health problems that the cows experiences we also experience. Recently, I have made the switch from eating corn-fed beef to eating grass-fed beef. I can taste the difference and feel the difference. It also makes me feel better that grass-fed cattle were allowed to live a happier life grazing the grasslands and being free from sickness and disease.

Tips for buying Grass-Fed Beef:

1. Always look for grass-fed beef that is grass-fed and finished, meaning the cow was fed grass all of its life.

2. Find a local grass-fed beef farmer.

3. Shop at local farmers markets for grass-fed beef.

4. Subscribe to an online subscription box focused on grass-fed beef like Butcher Box.