How to Go Green: Buy Organic Beef

Rules for beef to be labelled "USDA Organic" are very strict. For an animal to be produced for organic beef, no animal byproducts may be fed to the animal; organic feed is always given. The animal must also be allowed access to the outdoors, fresh water and sunshine and pasture, meaning animals that become organic beef are never kept in cramped, dirty quarters. Animals must also never be given antibiotics, drugs or growth hormones to make them artificially gain weight. Additionally, animals raised to become organic beef must also have mothers that were fed only organic feed at least for the last 30% of its gestation. Handling of organic and non-organic beef is also kept separate with different, natural cleaning agents used for organic beef. Most importantly, cattle that are raised to become organic beef are treated humanely, even receiving veterinary care.

There are many choices when you decide to buy organic beef. If you decide to do so online, one producer is the Dakota Beef Company. This company contracts with certified organic cattle producers to provide high-quality, genuine organic beef to consumers. Dakota Beef is fed organic grains, corn, and oats, along with flax seed, which adds Omega-3 fatty acid to the organic beef product. The cattle are kept in a humane, low-stress environment to reduce illness, instead of administering high levels of antibiotics.

Farms that produce organic beef are required to follow very strict guidelines as to the health, feed, and well-being of their animals. If you care about the health care, well-being, and treatment of animals raised for food, consider switching to USDA Organic Beef. With such strict limits and traceability, you can be sure that the animals are getting a good quality of life, and not spending their entire lives in small, filthy pens, constantly filled with antibiotics and hormones. Make a decision to care, buy USDA Organic beef.

Resources

"Facts Concerning the Production of Organic Beef." Ota.com. 2008. 01 April 2009. http://www.ota.com/organic/foodsafety/OrganicBeef.html

"Dakota Beef Company." Dakota Beef Company. 01 April 2009. http://www.dakotabeefcompany.com/