Organic all natural livestock?

[ning]

People forget that organically raised produce isn't just a good idea to reduce the poisons you take in (small, but measurable, amounts of toxins from pesticides & herbicides can be found in fruits & vegetables), but it's even more important for the people who are working in the orchards & fields who otherwise are exposed to that stuff over and over.

Personally, I'm fine with less-than-perfect looking foods and the occasional bug knowing that I'm not contributing to farm workers' early demise from such poisons - it's not all about me.

 

[tcreeley]

Organic means no added chemicals that are man made, no gmo's, herbicides, pesticides, dessicants, wax, growth hormones, antibiotics. I'll eat stuff that doesn't look so good, no problem.

 

[MutzFarm]

IMO organic means everything mentioned in this thread and higher price tag.

 

[M5farms]

And why is that, please explain

Implants are used during the growth phase they only help convert feed to muscle it is such a small dose you can not tell the difference at slaughter vs implanted and non implanted .
Antibiotics are humane and necessary for certain conditions. Pink eye for example. Are there some producers that abuse them ?? Yes but almost all of the animals that enter the food system have been cared for with virtually no antibiotics and required withdrawal periods are observed. The VFD that went into effect in January Insures that now you will have more sickly animals that enter the food chain because producers can not treat them as timely as before and you have more death loss. Its your choice to purchase what you want and if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy but to push an agenda that is strictly based on marketing and scare tactics is dishonest. GMO is as safe as anything. Sure plants have been modified on a molecular level but it only relates to production. It have been proven time and time again the food is safe. Its another marketing Ploy.

 

[NorTracNY]

Implants are used during the growth phase they only help convert feed to muscle it is such a small dose you can not tell the difference at slaughter vs implanted and non implanted .
Antibiotics are humane and necessary for certain conditions. Pink eye for example. Are there some producers that abuse them ?? Yes but almost all of the animals that enter the food system have been cared for with virtually no antibiotics and required withdrawal periods are observed. The VFD that went into effect in January Insures that now you will have more sickly animals that enter the food chain because producers can not treat them as timely as before and you have more death loss. Its your choice to purchase what you want and if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy but to push an agenda that is strictly based on marketing and scare tactics is dishonest. GMO is as safe as anything. Sure plants have been modified on a molecular level but it only relates to production. It have been proven time and time again the food is safe. Its another marketing Ploy.

That's a very interest opinion you post as pure fact. What's a little of this and a little of that going to do. Won't hurt a thing. Can I assume that you do not have a science background and have not read the studies that have "proven time and time again the food is safe"? As another poster said, it's also about the environment and those working more closely with the chemicals. Why do any studies at all?

It's estimated that 40 tons of antibiotics are used in the US per day just for food production. It's estimated that over 63,000 tons of antibiotics are used world wide just for raising cows, pigs, and chickens. That sounds pretty small and couldn't cause any potential side affects, correct?
:mur:

 

[M5farms]

That's a very interest opinion you post as pure fact. What's a little of this and a little of that going to do. Won't hurt a thing. Can I assume that you do not have a science background and have not read the studies that have "proven time and time again the food is safe"? As another poster said, it's also about the environment and those working more closely with the chemicals. Why do any studies at all?

It's estimated that 40 tons of antibiotics are used in the US per day just for food production. It's estimated that over 63,000 tons of antibiotics are used world wide just for raising cows, pigs, and chickens. That sounds pretty small and couldn't cause any potential side affects, correct?
:mur:

I do not have a science background but I do have an education that affords me to ability to read. I have been involved in AG my entire life. I know what happens when medication is not given in a timely manner and likely you or I would not be here if antibiotics were not used at some point in our lives or parents lives and so on. I just choose to look at both sides of the argument . The ones that are screaming for antibiotics not to be used will be the first ones complaining when the Meat is not available to purchase because of lost production of healthy animals. Taking a number and using it as a scare tactic is also another way they bully the public. They do not estimate the actual number of head of head that are treated. if that's was included and a little math was applied everyone could see its not scary, but they Use the word tons and it becomes a crisis. Also the same naysayers want to believe everything the FDA says if a drug or anything shows to be harmful but they apparently can not comprehend the FDA when it is deemed safe.

 

[MutzFarm]

We try to be as natural......or organic as possible on our little wannabe farm, but times come and you have to medicate something. You have money at stake here. Last year my natural as possible cost me 3 calves. All 3 died. If I hadnt waited when I notice the first signs and medicated them I would have them today, but you when some and lose some. I cant afford to lose 1. I am seriously considering running them through the pen now and medicate them all just because of money. It is hard financially and emotionally when you lose an animal. One of the three was gonna be in the freezer next year. Now I have to hold something else that would of made money.

I guess I am on the fence on meds for the animals. I know we try to avoid as much as we can, but when you lose them its hard not to say next season we are medicating everything.

Another thing take grass fed beef, pork or whatever. You may think it is natural, but what did they do to the grass? Fertilizer and weed killer? SO maybe this grass fed pasture raised animal is not what you think it is. It takes years to get rid of weeds. They say 3 -7 years, but if your neighbor isnt doing anything and the weed seeds blow over ot your place that just sucks. :mur: I have one customer that buys a steer every so often and then pens him up and feeds him all the bad stuff that I dont because he believes that what makes the meat taste so good. :duh:

Yes to much of anything can be bad including these antibiotics and such.
Yes I strongly believe when we slaughter our own livestock for our consumption it is better for us than store bought and taste a **** of a lot better.
Yes I also believe the same about our veggies, but fighting the bugs and not having irrigation down here in almost desert land is not easy. This is why we have a small garden.

Only thing I can suggest if you wanna make a difference in your life find a small farmer. Get to know them and what they do. Then buy from him. You maybe able to get eggs, veggies, etc from him, but you may have to take an animal some where to have it butchered and finding a good butcher can be a problem.

 

[M5farms]

We try to be as natural......or organic as possible on our little wannabe farm, but times come and you have to medicate something. You have money at stake here. Last year my natural as possible cost me 3 calves. All 3 died. If I hadnt waited when I notice the first signs and medicated them I would have them today, but you when some and lose some. I cant afford to lose 1. I am seriously considering running them through the pen now and medicate them all just because of money. It is hard financially and emotionally when you lose an animal. One of the three was gonna be in the freezer next year. Now I have to hold something else that would of made money.

I guess I am on the fence on meds for the animals. I know we try to avoid as much as we can, but when you lose them its hard not to say next season we are medicating everything.

Another thing take grass fed beef, pork or whatever. You may think it is natural, but what did they do to the grass? Fertilizer and weed killer? SO maybe this grass fed pasture raised animal is not what you think it is. It takes years to get rid of weeds. They say 3 -7 years, but if your neighbor isnt doing anything and the weed seeds blow over ot your place that just sucks. :mur: I have one customer that buys a steer every so often and then pens him up and feeds him all the bad stuff that I dont because he believes that what makes the meat taste so good. :duh:

Yes to much of anything can be bad including these antibiotics and such.
Yes I strongly believe when we slaughter our own livestock for our consumption it is better for us than store bought and taste a **** of a lot better.
Yes I also believe the same about our veggies, but fighting the bugs and not having irrigation down here in almost desert land is not easy. This is why we have a small garden.

Only thing I can suggest if you wanna make a difference in your life find a small farmer. Get to know them and what they do. Then buy from him. You maybe able to get eggs, veggies, etc from him, but you may have to take an animal some where to have it butchered and finding a good butcher can be a problem.

I agree with 99.9% but that's just my taste preference because I believe beef needs finishing on grain because Grass fed taste like crap to me and my family. Antibiotics are a vital part of good husbandry and if your in business to make money you have to use it. I also Implant my steer calves that extra 40 to 50 bucks at weaning ads up and can help with the shrink of losing a calf or 2. I just get bent sideways when people that have no clue what it takes is critical of a process that allows us to be a nation of plenty. They are usually badmouthing farmers with their mouths full.

 

[tractorshopper]

I am a wannabe farmer. I do a garden and have chickens (for egg production) and what not. I keep toying with the idea of raising a cow for meat. I'm not sure how to get started or all the particulars, but will do some research.

One question for you real cattle farmers though; what makes the best tasting beef? I'm assuming breed comes into play and then the feed based on what limited knowledge I have.

Let's say I'm wanting to raise a cow every so often for meat; what breed should I be looking at and what feed should I be trying to put it on for the delicious factor? Is it just a certain feed for their last 6 months or what?

 

[NorTracNY]

I only have issues with those that aren't willing to pay a farmer what the product should cost. I do what MutzFarm suggests. I know where my meat comes from. If it's not from my place, I have met with the farmer and walked his pastures. Real ground beef around me cost $6.50/lb. Farmers can farm like they want, just be honest with their customers.