However, the consumer should feel free to ask what practices are followed on the farm where the beef they’re purchasing was grown.

 

“Organic grassfed beef” (different from ‘organic beef’ which is cattle fed organic grain) means that the farm has gone through a lengthy certification process with ongoing filing requirements. For many small farms, this process is an onerous one taking time away from chores in order to fill out paperwork. Instead, you may hear the terms ‘organic practices’ or ‘best practices’. These terms are not yet standardized.

 

Many farmers on the small farms raising grassfed beef wanted the government to go further with the standards and include the practices they commonly use, such as keeping the animals unconfined on range or pasture year-round, and eliminating the use of antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically modified feed. Mack Brook Farm considers these 'best practices' for both the animals and the enviroment and it is how we raise our cattle.

 

Other considerations when purchasing grassfed beef include how far the animal traveled from the farm to the processor and how far the meat traveled to the consumer. Less miles mean less stress on the animal and less fuel consumed. We are lucky to have a USDA processor just 5 miles from the farm. As a small farm, our meat is only sold locally.