...follow the path of where the corn is grown and what it is used to create, but also what does corn feed that provides dinner on the table for us. One big contention in today’s day and age is how is the corn grown and used to feed the animals which sustain us. You see in the super markets all the time now, organic carrots, corn, potatoes, lettuce, grain fed hamburger. What does all of this mean? Taking a step back and looking where it originated, we see cattle herding. Herding cattle is as old as Time itself. As old as when the first cattle where domesticated over 50,000 years ago, and as old as the cattle drives done in the Old West. Now imagine living back in the days of the “Wild West”. Being part of a cattle drive and moving the cattle from the East coast and “Going West.” The cook or the “Boss man” of the cattle drive was the “man who owned the cattle they were herding -- but everyone also knew the cook was the man even the boss deferred to most often. The outfit's chuck wagon was a rough equivalent of a traveling general store, and the cook was not only the chief clerk of that store, he was usually the closest thing the cowboys had to a doctor, surgeon, dentist, tailor, and fussy maiden aunt.”(Old West, 2012) You being the “Boss man” have to feed the entire crew and making sure that you have enough to feed all. Beans will suffice but at some point you will need meat to feed the hungry crew. As the Boss man the cattle that are being herd across the country are yours,...
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...Through his research, he notes that the 100 million head of cattle breed for food are living on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (C.A.F.O.) are fed slaughtered cow parts. As a nation, we need to educate consumers on the dangers of consuming corn fed beef, begin pushing for agri-business policy change from the top down, and partake in the benefits of eating healthier meat; if these changes are not implemented soon healthcare rates will soar, along with e Coli and outbreaks of other diseases associated with processing infected beef. The main problems with eating corn fed beef are the dangerous health risks and hidden costs that are passed down to the public. Associated with these problems are the government policies that prevent change. Continuing to ignore these problems will result in increased obesity, heart disease, and other ailments; as well as economic troubles for those in agriculture, business, and consumers. However, if we properly educate people on nutrition, change the way the agriculture and ranching industry treat cattle, and buy grass fed beef, the problems created from corn fed beef can be avoided and resolved. First, we will look at the dangerous health risks when eating corn fed beef. “Calories are calories…protein is protein,” as stated by Michael Pollen in his book, The Omnivores Dilemma, when discussing the industrial...
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...farmers to inject the cows with antibiotics to fight the contamination of E-Coli in the beef. Kiernan also goes on to say that this genetically changes the way the meat is produced. Basically it changes the healthiness of the meat and causes it to be unhealthy for human consummation. Bill Kiernan is the director of GAI Research & Insight. His research into the production of agriculture and the consummation of beef is very well documented in his research. Kiernan discusses the key points of my paper. For example when I stated that I had to find out where the meat had come from and how and why was it altered. Later in my paper I discussed how speaking with a butcher I found out that the beef was not grass fed, but corn fed which Kiernan discussed in his search for why some of us become sick and others do not. We must always make sure to read labels on the beef that we purchase and consume if we want to be healthier. DiGiuseppe, G. D. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.americancattlemen.com/articles/corn-fed-vs-grass-fed This article discusses the prospective of the farmer. Many farmers believe that all the information out there is contracting itself. One article states that grass fed beef is the best beef full of Omega-3 fatty acids but then the other article says that the beef is lean and does not contain much fat. Researchers from Texas A&M also stated that the grass fed beef is not as healthy as they would...
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...In Power Steer, Michael Pollan describes the importance of the grass-fed cattle opposed to the modern industrialization in cattle feedlots that began rising in popularity in the 1950’s. Issues relating to eating meat from a cattle feedlot, rather than pre-industrialized beef, are discussed such as a lack of healthy feed, environmental problems and animal welfare. First, he explains his concerns about E. coli contamination, antibiotics in the feed and corn being used as the primary ingredient. Antibiotics are put into the feed due to the fact that once cattle are taken off their natural grass diet they are prone to getting sick. The grass replacement is prominently corn; which has been traced to health problems for the cattle as well as its...
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...INTRODUCTION Did you know 90 percent of all beef in America is grown with artificial growth hormones (Hanrahan, 2000)? Were you aware that these growth hormones can potentially cause cancer and pose significant health risks to individuals who consume this meat? In today's food industry it is crucial to be a keen consumer and have knowledge of where you food comes from and what it actually contains. The regulations and standards put into effect by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regards to cattle production and what is deemed to be safe have created an up heave of controversy. Consumers and researchers constantly pose the question of what should be considered safe and who should not. They often argue that when it comes to human health no risks should be taken and risk assessment should not be considered. The following essay discusses the controversy of beef cattle production regulation and standards. The essay will analyze various studies conducted that state a possible link between cancer and growth hormone used in beef, and it will outline all view points of the European ban of American and Canadian beef. The issues and controversy surrounding feedlot given to beef cattle will be analyzed and consumer concerns as well as regulations surrounding labeling of beef in America, Canada and Europe will be discussed. ARGUMENT The use of growth hormones has become widely prominent in the beef production industry. Estradiol benzoate and progesterone, which are types...
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...Organic Vs. Corn Fed Vs. Grass Fed There are many debates any differing opinions going around, concerning which type of beef—or meat in general, for that matter—is the best for humans to ingest. Having these many6 different opinions and facts floating around makes the average consumer go crazy in the shopping lines. Many people simply want to know what is best for them—the healthiest option for themselves or their family. Finding this information, however, has proven to be quite a difficult task, one that does not seem to be easily completely. Contrary to popular belief, the vast amount of information, views, opinions, and statistics out there, concerning the different types of beef feed actually make the search for the truth more difficult, not easier. The information, what little fact is actually out there, is hard to decipher, due to its complicated nature, and the fact that it looks as though it was written for biologists to understand. The average shopper just wants the facts, in laymen’s terms; however, this is rarely what they find. Unfortunately, what facts they actually find ids obscured by the many opinions and views that have nothing to do with the actual facts. The simple fact remains, though: humans’ bodies are more apt to take-in and digest the type of meat that is more nutritious and able to used the most in our systems—either ads fuel, bone support, vitamins, or minerals. Many consumers now purchase grass-fed or organic beef, thinking the healthiest...
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...Corn Fed vs. Grass Fed Have you noticed how there’s an increasingly wider selection of types of beef to be purchased? Which option is healthier? Which one is least expensive? There has been an ongoing dispute over which choice of beef we should be consuming. While both may seem to have their own advantage and disadvantage; ranging from being cost-efficient, to more beneficial nutrients. Both contribute to the eco-system, but in completely different ways. While grass-fed beef is the healthier alternative, it can prove to be a bit pricey, nonetheless, grass-fed beef provide us with more nutrients; they’re higher in Omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E. Corn-fed beef, on the other hand, is relatively more affordable. The million dollar question should be, it’s affordable, but at what cost? What makes corn-fed beef so much cheaper than grass-fed? Corn-fed cattle go through a process, almost like an assembly line. The first step, the cow and calf live in a cow-calf operation. Here, the cow is artificially inseminated for the sole purpose of reproduction. For the first 6 months, the calf stays with their mother, once they’re old enough they’re taken to a pen, where they’re introduced to corn. To make a long story short, the calf is finally moved into a CAFO (confined animal feeding operation). From this point on, they’re all confined to small caged in areas. These facilities house hundreds, even thousands of farm animals. From this point on their diet is strictly corn, protein, vitamins...
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...Grass- Fed vs. Grain Beef Daniel Ray Meek Hotel, Restaurant, and institutional meat 10/10/13 Chef Bradley Randoplh-Adams Today, the cow was fed can have a major effect on the nutrient in the beef. The cattle was often fed in grains, the animal we ate have been evolution by roamed free and ate grass. Many studies that had shown the nutrients in beef can be varying depending on how cow eat. It not only important how we eat, it is important the food we eat. What the different between grass-fed and grain-fed cow? All cow starting live similar life. Once calves were born, they start drink milk from their mother. Calves starting to roam and eat grass, shrub or whatever edible plants they find in their environment. This continues for about six to eighth month, and then the farmer will conventionally raise cows to feedlots. Large feedlot are called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations ( CAFOs). That where the crowing cow is and their dung on their feet. The farmer has feeding grain-based to the cow to rapidly fatty up. The grain-based was base of soy or corn. The conventionally of cow grow faster by given drugs and hormones to grow faster, and antibiotic to survive the unsanitary living condition. The cow will be staying there for few month then move into factory for slaughtering. Grain-fed beef does not contain appreciable levels of carotenoids, for the simple reason that grains don’t contain them. Compare that to grass-feeding cow, which the cow may continue to live...
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...GRASS FED OR GRAIN FED BEEF: WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOU? Manning, R (2009, April/May). The amazing benefits of grass fed meat. MOTHER EARTH NEWS 48-56. Retrieved from http://motherearthnews.com The author looks at all the benefits of grass fed beef versus grain fed. The article states all the benefits of grass fed over grain fed cattle. It clearly states his position of not only it having more vitamins and minerals, but also it is environmentally better overall for the earth. With the cattle being able to roam freely in an open area there is less chance for the animals to develop e-coli, and also prevents the usage of antibiotics for animals to prevent diseases. Robbins, J., & robbins,o (2012, December 19). The truth about grass fed beef. THE FOOD REVOLUTION NETWORK. Retrieved from http://foodrevolution.com These authors go into great detail on the differences of grass fed versus grain fed beef. There thoughts carry you through the beginning stages of both grass and grain fed cows, and the environmental and health issues of both. There main focus is on not only the health benefits of grass fed over grain fed, but also putting emphasis on health of cows and the poor conditions these cattle have to endure during the duration of life. Cacal,j (2013, October 4). The benefits of grain and grass fed beef. Buedel Meat up. Retrieved from http://buedelmeatup.com This article specifically talks about the different feeding methods of both grain and grass fed cattle. ...
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...pasture system. Legumes grow faster throughout the year due to their ability convert nitrogen from the atmosphere to usable nitrogen for the plant. Although legume increase the entire pasture yield, back slopes often produces more dry matter then summits proved by Harmony et al .(2001). Brummer and associates analysed establishment of legumes in pasture systems under a number of conditions. They investigated how grass height, dayly sun light, and fertilizer affected establishment of legumes. Their experiment involved creating several plots with different scenarios. They tested several legumes including red clover, alfalfa, and birdsfoot trefoil proportionally on several landscapes. To control competition they cut the grass and added fertilizer. At the growing seasons end legumes were pulled, sorted, and counted to measure the results of the experiment. Brummer and associates results supported Harmony et al .(2001) That back slopes allowed a greater amount of legumes to emerge compared to summits when turf height was not reduced greatly or at all. When the grass did not exceed 5 cm back slope and summit compared equally or close to. In all experiments red clover emergence excelled that of birdsfoot trefoil and alfalfa. Although sward height and back slope affected the emergence of legumes it appeared the all breeds were affected equally. Brummer and associates acknowledges that legumes compete better with grasses due to the ability to fixate their own nitrogen. Applying nitrogen...
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...The Cattle Ranchers should be able to continue to use the land the way they’ve been using it because it belongs to them. As it states from the article “In 2008, the value of beef exported to other countries was more than $3 billion. Brazil can use the money earned from beef sales to help pay its debts and take care of its citizens.” This evidence supports my sub-claim because it’s basically stating that the cattle ranchers should continue to let the cattle eat from the land because that’s the way that Brazil citizens get their money and make a living for themselves. The Cattle Ranchers should continue to use the land the way they’ve been using it because they need a lot of land in the rainforest to be able to feed the cattle. As it states...
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...Grass Fed vs. Corn Fed Michael Green DeVry University Grass Fed vs. Corn Fed The health of America is steadily declining and poor diet is a contributing factor (Pollan, 2006). Meat has become a main staple in the American diet in the last century. In fact, the average American consumes about 180 pounds of meat consisting of beef, pork, chicken, and turkey each year (Pollan, 2006). What the average American may not know is that most of these meats were grain fed during production, which is detrimental to the diets of both the livestock and its consumers. Grain feeding of livestock on American farms should be eliminated because human consumption of these meat products contributes to the decline in the health of America; instead, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should require farmers and producers to provide the healthiest diet for animals to eliminate the health risks of the consumers. Problems Studies indicate that grain fed meats lack key nutrients optimal to the health of America. For almost 50 years most American farmers have been using grain to feed his or her livestock (Pollan, 2006). Grain feeding became prevalent not long after World War II when there was an over-abundant supply of grain (McCluskey, Wahl, Li, & Wandschneider, 2005). Farmers rely heavily on grain feeding because it is a cheaper product, it shortens the growth process,...
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...Please answer the following questions while watching Food, Inc. 1. Approximately how many products are available in the average American grocery store? 47,000 products 2. In what decade did “drive-ins,” the original fast food restaurants, appear on the American landscape? 1930’s 3. What fast food restaurant brought the factory system, or assembly line, to food preparation? McDonald Brothers (McDonalds) 4. Who is the largest purchaser of ground beef in the United States? McDonalds 5. Who is the largest purchaser of potatoes in the United States? Mcdonalds 6. The top 4-5 producers of beef controlled only __25_% of the market in the 1970s, and _80__% of the market today. 7. In the 1950s, it took 70 days to raise a chick to a chicken. Today, it takes only 48 days. How is this possible? Redesigned the chicken to be bigger, all birds coming off the line have to be about the same size. Tyson owns the chickens they are going to use from the day they are born. Antibiotics are put into chicken feed but chickens become immune to the antibiotics. The debt grows for the farmer due to demands of the company that purchases the product. 8. Why is corn in nearly every processed food product? Because corn be grown in large amounts. 30% of land is used for corn. The government gives farmers an incentive to...
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...Producer-Owned Meat Marketing Company April 2011. Prepared by Keith DeHaan, Food and Livestock Planning, and funded by USDA Rural Development, for the South Coast Meat Project. Includes financials. Table of Contents Plan Summary Download full plan (pdf, 41 pages, 310KB) Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Market Plan Market Development Target Markets Products Manufactured Features and Benefits of Products Market Concept Names and Branding Marketing Budget and Requirements Competitive Programs Livestock Supply Numbers Production Types Compensation Strategies for Producers Numbers and Species Used For Planning Other Species Harvest and Processing Plan Facilities Expected Processing Cost Dry Aging Beef Composite Carcass Value Distribution Plans Corporate and Management Plan Best Fit Legal Structure Governance Personnel Needs and Their Tasks Expected Total Capital Needs Company Shares and Share Value Financial Plan Development of Financial Models Financial Statements Financial Summary Barriers to Entry/Core Competencies Literature Cited/ Credits Tables Promotion and Marketing Budget Numbers and Species Used For Planning Expected Custom Processing Fees (including further...
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...Carl’s Junior B. In ‘N Out C. McDonald’s D. None of the above 4. The top four beef packers control percent of the market. A. 30 B. 50 C. 80 D. 99 5. It takes days for today’s chicken to arrive to market. A. 24 B. 48 C. 70 D. 120 6. After the decline of , many farmers in the South turned to raising chickens. A. tobacco B. corn C. soy D. beef 7. Today’s chickens have difficulty walking/standing because of they have been bred to be heavier. A. True B. False 8. Corporations control farmers because of the the farmers have. A. debt B. ethics C. loyalty D. All of the above 9. A typical chicken grower earns annually. A. $18,000 B. $35,000 C. $65,000 D. $100,000 10. Eric Schlosser, the film narrator and author, purpose in creating Food, Inc. was to determine: A. the politics of food. B. the state of the corn farmers. C. the source of his food. D. how food is marketed. 11. Who is responsible for increasing the efficiency of corn growing? A. Breeders B. Pesticides C. Fertilizers D. All of the above 12. A farm bill codifies the rules of the entire food economy. A. True B. False 13. The average American consumes over 200 lbs of meat, per person annually. A. True B. False 14. Cow’s are preferably fed corn over grain or grass because corn: A. is cheap. B. makes the cows fat. C. Both of the above 15. Which feed decreases the likelihood of intestinal E. coli 0157:H7 in cattle? A. corn B. grain C. grass D. wheat 16. The number f Food & Drug Administration (FDA) safety inspections...
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