Up until WWII, most cattle consumed grass-fed diets with minimal starch in the diet. At the close of WWII, the military had a surplus of ammonia nitrate used for making bombs. The War Department asked the Agriculture Department to assist in finding uses for the excess ammonia nitrate. It turns out it is an outstanding fertilizer for corn grain, and by 1950, there was a glut of corn after doubling the national corn yield in five years, and the corn prices crashed. Then, it was decided to get the University Animal Scientists involved and show farmers how to feed corn to cattle safely. It takes three weeks to convert the four-chambered stomach from grass to grain. At this point, cattle can consume over 20 lbs. of corn daily.
By 1970, the paradigm shift was complete, with nearly all beef produced from grain-finished cattle in the USA. The first hint of trouble was in 1992/93 with the first case of Ecoli 0157:H7 from a Jack in the Box restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. The unintended consequences of dropping the rumen pH from 7 down to 5 are that it completely changes the rumen biology and creates the perfect environment for Ecoli 157.
Ruminents have multi-chambered stomachs and are designed to eat grass. In the wild, that's the regular diet for cattle, bison, elk, deer, goats, and sheep. These animals thrive on grasses and are much healthier than their grain-fed cousins, and their meat contains more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Grass-fed meats contain a healthy balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and considerably higher levels of healthy CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). If you're looking for better nutrition in your food and more value for your food dollar, 100% grass-fed and finished is the way to go.
Well Wishes, Team USWM
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