Grass fed vs. Corn fed beef

[CYDJ]

I was raised on what some would call a cattle ranch and still raise 100 to 300 cow/ calves today with lots of corn fields surrounding our pastures. Technically corn is a member of the grass family. And believe me since the first day I paid attention, we have battled keeping the cows out of our corn fields once the corn has emerged. Worst period is when the corn is reaching milk stage in mid August and it puts out a sweet smell. I don’t know who forced cows to eat corn but they sure imprinted it in their bovine brain because once they get into a corn field you might as well put them in another pasture.

I agree. My heifers loved scraps. It provided variety and there was nothing wrong with it. Corn is a fine thing to feed cattle. It is high in energy, easily stored and transportable. We should feed corn to cattle, people should love corn fed beef, it is a very good product that, when produced and processed well, provides an experience that is good most of the time.

That does not change the facts that:

1. Corn, as we know it today, is a man made invention. Humans also love things that they probably shouldn't eat, does that make it right? I'd probably break into a Twizzlers field if I lived next door to it all day long. It doesn't make it the most natural or best thing for me to eat, just because I'd like it.

2. Animals really didn't consume corn until the 1950's and then there was a phased in.

3. Part of the reason that we produce superior cattle for beef in Iowa is because of the breeds that we can raise in our climate. The more hump you have to breed in to withstand the temps, the less the quality is going to be on average.

4. There are people who want grass finished beef for different reasons. They may be annoying and threaten people's way of life or perspective by saying we shouldn't raise corn fed beef. I am not one of them.

5. Those people who want grass finished, are more selective and due to its relative scarcity, willing to pay 2 to 3 times corn fed market rate for their beef. This provides an opportunity for some producers to make more money off of their cattle. It requires things are done differently, not incorrectly. This is capitalism, we can talk about the merits of this in another post.

6. There is bad corn fed beef. If you claim you have never had any, then you are very lucky OR don't eat much meat. Please be honest with yourself.

7. There is great grass finished beef that provides a positive experience. If you have never had any, then I understand why your opinion is what it is. I've had bad from both, but it does not cause me to say that all corn fed is bad.

8. We can at least agree that cattle can be yummy.

 

[CYDJ]

I appreciate the debate here. I'll leave you guys alone now, because I need to get something done AND watch some Cyclones Football today.

I read back through the posts and this is what I take away from it all. People have different interests and likes. Its hard for me to see people be absolutist about something that is basically an opinion/taste, etc. I produce counterpoints in debate fashion and then positions are made that don't need to made. Corn is great, I hear it powers Iowa. There is no doubt that Iowa is a major contributor to the US / World food supply and agriculture is very important. Thanks all and go Cyclones

 

[c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s]

Here is a video compares them. They take a full side of each, cut it up and show the differences. It is long (about 45 minutes)but worth watching.

Edit: skip to about the 18 minute mark if you only want to see the comparison.

 

[JP4CY]

I was raised on what some would call a cattle ranch and still raise 100 to 300 cow/ calves today with lots of corn fields surrounding our pastures. Technically corn is a member of the grass family. And believe me since the first day I paid attention, we have battled keeping the cows out of our corn fields once the corn has emerged. Worst period is when the corn is reaching milk stage in mid August and it puts out a sweet smell. I don’t know who forced cows to eat corn but they sure imprinted it in their bovine brain because once they get into a corn field you might as well put them in another pasture.

 

[cmjh10]

My comment got deleted

 

[JP4CY]

Oops. Should have stated that the cryovac loin is NOT frozen & fresh from the packer in the box. I age for a month unfrozen. Then cut steaks & freeze. Melt in your month. Same process that companies like Omaha Steaks & other premium steak retailers use.

Are you punching it as well?

 

[JP4CY]

My comment got deleted

HEY get a new profile PIC!

 

[cmjh10]

HEY get a new profile PIC!

No, you get a new one

 

[Stormin]

I agree. My heifers loved scraps. It provided variety and there was nothing wrong with it. Corn is a fine thing to feed cattle. It is high in energy, easily stored and transportable. We should feed corn to cattle, people should love corn fed beef, it is a very good product that, when produced and processed well, provides an experience that is good most of the time.

That does not change the facts that:

1. Corn, as we know it today, is a man made invention. Humans also love things that they probably shouldn't eat, does that make it right? I'd probably break into a Twizzlers field if I lived next door to it all day long. It doesn't make it the most natural or best thing for me to eat, just because I'd like it.

2. Animals really didn't consume corn until the 1950's and then there was a phased in.

3. Part of the reason that we produce superior cattle for beef in Iowa is because of the breeds that we can raise in our climate. The more hump you have to breed in to withstand the temps, the less the quality is going to be on average.

4. There are people who want grass finished beef for different reasons. They may be annoying and threaten people's way of life or perspective by saying we shouldn't raise corn fed beef. I am not one of them.

5. Those people who want grass finished, are more selective and due to its relative scarcity, willing to pay 2 to 3 times corn fed market rate for their beef. This provides an opportunity for some producers to make more money off of their cattle. It requires things are done differently, not incorrectly. This is capitalism, we can talk about the merits of this in another post.

6. There is bad corn fed beef. If you claim you have never had any, then you are very lucky OR don't eat much meat. Please be honest with yourself.

7. There is great grass finished beef that provides a positive experience. If you have never had any, then I understand why your opinion is what it is. I've had bad from both, but it does not cause me to say that all corn fed is bad.

8. We can at least agree that cattle can be yummy.

There is a difference between Corn Fed Cattle raised by a farmer in small groups and taken to a local butcher versus large grocery store boxed beef. The local raised small numbers cattle generally are more flavorful it seems. So comparing small herd grass fed should be compared to small herd corn fed. Large Commercial Grass Fed Cattle to Large Commercial Corn Fed Cattle.

Corn Fed beef has a sweeter flavor. Also more marbling. Therefore it is juicier and more forgiving when the beef is prepared. Grass Fed will tend to have a gamier taste. It also takes much longer to finish Grass Fed Beef. I would rather eat deer that has foraged some in corn fields versus grass fed beef. Grass Fed might be healthier. But celery and carrots sticks are healthy but the flavor of mashed potatoes and gravy is much better IMO. Water is great but I really do prefer a good cold beer.

Go ahead and pay $4 more per pound for a grass fed steak. I prefer the Corn Fed. That yellow colored fat on grass fed beef is gross and tastes awful. Lack of marbling makes it chewy. No thanks.

 

[JP4CY]

No, you get a new one

 

[BCClone]

I get it you don't like Grass Fed Beef. You don't have to, you are a person that shouldn't like it. Don't like it. All I am saying is that all Grass Finished produced beef is not the same and what you had is not indicative of all grass fed beef. Just as the bottom select pre-packaged crap you get sometimes at the grocery store is not indicative of all corn fed beef. Can you understand that? Geesh.

Yeah, I get it. It appears maybe you don’t. I stated bluntly, I don’t care what you like, this is what I like and why. You seem to want to come across as the person who sees both sides but only actually sees your side. It is similar to organic corn/soybeans/protein. Some love it and are willing to pay more for it. I’m not. Knowing several that do it, there are many different ways.

I do what I want to do and feel others should do what they want. When a discussion comes up, I state why I do/feel what I do. If it offends people so be it.

 

[baller21]

Yeah, I get it. It appears maybe you don’t. I stated bluntly, I don’t care what you like, this is what I like and why. You seem to want to come across as the person who sees both sides but only actually sees your side. It is similar to organic corn/soybeans/protein. Some love it and are willing to pay more for it. I’m not. Knowing several that do it, there are many different ways.

I do what I want to do and feel others should do what they want. When a discussion comes up, I state why I do/feel what I do. If it offends people so be it.

Yeah!

 

[DarkStar]

Yeah but it’s the best grass... Well, besides Mary Jane, but we can’t feed THAT to cattle.

I thought that was a broadleaf and not a grass...

 

[CYDJ]

Yeah, I get it. It appears maybe you don’t. I stated bluntly, I don’t care what you like, this is what I like and why. You seem to want to come across as the person who sees both sides but only actually sees your side. It is similar to organic corn/soybeans/protein. Some love it and are willing to pay more for it. I’m not. Knowing several that do it, there are many different ways.

I do what I want to do and feel others should do what they want. When a discussion comes up, I state why I do/feel what I do. If it offends people so be it.

You put that well. It doesn't offend me that you don't like grass fed beef. Just wanted to put my 2; cents in on "it all sucks because xyz" when I do not believe that xyz is always true. Thanks for posting your perspective. It is more than reasonable.

 

[Stormin]

You put that well. It doesn't offend me that you don't like grass fed beef. Just wanted to put my 2; cents in on "it all sucks because xyz" when I do not believe that xyz is always true. Thanks for posting your perspective. It is more than reasonable.

Doesn‘t bother me that you prefer Grass Fed Beef. Your Choice. Enjoy. Not for me. And I sure wouldn’t pay a premium price for it. IMO it is a marketing ripoff kind of like the Organic stuff.

 

[Dopey]

It shouldn't be shocking that a constrained or grain fed piece of meat would be fattier and taste better then a pasture raised piece of beef.

Also, in general, I think this country would be healthier if people considered items other than just taste in their food choices.

 

[2speedy1]

When you feed cows corn, They S--t corn, when you feed them grass they don't. Otherwise, a properly grilled steak tastes delicious regardless.

 

[Stormin]

When you feed cows corn, They S--t corn, when you feed them grass they don't. Otherwise, a properly grilled steak tastes delicious regardless.

So they taste like what they eat. I love Corn on the Cob. Don’t have a taste for grass clippings.

 

[mattyheiden]

Corn >>> grass

Corn is a grass. Just an FYI

 

[besserheimerphat]

Order from Betterpork.com You’ll never buy pork in the store again.

We are fortunate to live in a very ag-based region of the PNW (Skagit Valley). So we could work with a local farmer to get some good farm-to-table pork and beef. We've talked about it a lot and just haven't ever pulled the trigger.