Cattle diets can consist of a variety of nutritionals, like different types of grass, hay, or fillers like corn and grain. This will result in different flavors in the beef, different vitamin and nutrition amounts being passed on to the consumer, and different price points. What exactly are the differences between grain-finished and grass-finished cattle? Learn all about it in today’s blog from the beef experts at Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch. Find out more about raising cattle on our website.
Grain-Finished Cattle
Some cattle may be fed grain as a supplement throughout their initial growing stages. However, grain-finished typically means they were fed a diet of only grain and other supplements for the final few months. Always check with your supplier to get firm details on the nutrition of their cattle. Grain may be fed as a finisher due to the ability to help the cattle drastically put on weight right before slaughter. Grain also increases the marbling effect in steak. This results in a steak that has a higher fat content.
Grass-Finished Cattle
This type of cattle requires higher costs from the producers, as farmers will need more land and more forage to keep their cattle grass-fed all the way to the end of their lives. That’s why this type of cattle is referred to as “grass-finished.” Beef that is grass-finished is leaner, higher in good fats like omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and contains more antioxidants, like vitamin E.
Grain vs. Grass, Which is Better?
The choice depends on your priorities. If you value the high fat content (and taste that comes with it) and the marbling effects in the grain-finished steak, it can be a great treat every now and again. However, if you enjoy having steak be a part of your daily diet, or are looking to consume something more natural, grass-finished is the way to go. Learn more about the long history of our farm on our website.
Both grain-finished and grass-finished beef options are delicious, but depending on your values, you may prefer having one over the other. At Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch, we think grass-finished is the way to go for long-term sustainability and health. To get yours, visit our website.
