Beef Cattle


pic_cattlegrass_090424Management-intensive, rotational grazing systems can be used to raise beef or dairy cattle wholly or partially on pastures. These systems provide for on-site recycling of nutrients, reduce soil erosion by ensuring continuous soil cover, reduce feed costs, eliminate the need for most pesticides, reduce veterinary costs, and help preserve ecosystems. Producers using these systems report lower capital requirements, lower labor requirements, improved profitability, and enhanced quality of life.

For more information for beef cattle, contact Chris Carusi, Executive Director, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, tel: 402-471-0817, email crisc@navix.net.

Featured

The Amazing Benefits of Grass-Fed Meat

Want a rib eye steak without all of the environmental, animal handling, carbon footprint, pesticide and hormone issues? Mother Earth News looks to grass-finished beef as a scalable solution to all of these problems.

North American Devon Association

A video illustrating the history, characteristics and advantages of the breed. Once an American standard, it lost its popularity due to its unsuitability to feedlot operations.  Since Devon easily cope with the requirements for grass-finishing, the breed provides potential to a sustainable farm economy.

Grass-Fed Meat is Superior to Grain-Fed Meat

This Natural News.com article explains why grass-fed and grain-fed meat should be considered as entirely different foods.

Resources

Greener Pastures: How grass-fed beef and milk contribute to healthy eating

This is the first report to synthesize the findings of virtually every English-language study (25 were chosen for analysis) comparing the amounts of total fats, saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in both pasture-raised and conventionally raised beef and dairy cattle. The report also includes analysis of the nutritional, environmental, and public health benefits of grass-based farming techniques. (Union of Concerned Scientists, April 2006.)

Frequently Asked Questions on Grazing and Grazing Management

Includes questions and answers about financial considerations, effects of grazing, pasture quality, and how to establish a rotational grazing system. (Pasture Land Management System, a venture between the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and Virginia Tech and State University.)

Grazing Menu

Links to a variety of publications, reports, and resources about rotational grazing. (Sustainable Farming Connection, University of North Carolina.)

Sustainable Beef Production

A rational and practical guide for pasture-based beef production. (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA.)

Forage and Grassland Improvement – Livestock Producers Explore Best Management Practices

Report about Missouri livestock producers and the benefits associated with rotational grazing. (US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water.)

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