The Meat Lifecycle: Mapping The Many Pathways of Beef Production
educational resource
Story by Sarah Wescott | Photography by sarah carroll
"Beef from happy cows"- sure, but what does that really mean? When picking out beef, what are the points in the life-cycle that we should consider? Does it make a difference if cattle is grass-fed or corn-fed?
We all want to believe that our beef is coming from green pastures like the ones shown in the grocery store display, but how do we really ensure that’s what we’re getting?
To make this discovery process a little easier, we’ve mapped out the lifecycle of beef, and the many pathways an animal can take before it ends up on your table. That way, the next time you are hoping to stock-up your freezer, you have the tools to seek out meat that both tastes good and aligns with your values.
life
cycle
birth
How where your beef was born matters
life
Learn the difference from CAFOs versus pasture-raised,
and everything in between
death
Learn how small- and large-scale slaughter differs from on-farm harvest.
BIRTH
off farm:
The majority of beef cattle in the United States will live their life on several different farms. In these cases, animals are born on one farm and often moved to a concentrated animal feeding operation (or CAFO) where they are finished, usually on a feedlot. In others, an animal may just be sold between farms after it is born. This movement may put extra stress on the animal leading to lower quality of life and may contribute to less flavorful meat.
On farm:
- Calves are able to spend more time with their mother which puts less stress on them
- Calves or young cattle do not have to go through a move early in life, further reducing their stress
- The farmer gets to know the animal better, making it easier to recognize unusual behavior or sickness
life
CAFO:
A concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO, is where cattle are raised in tight quarters, without grass and raised on a diet of grains and corn. For beef cattle, this often looks like feedlot conditions, often lacking grass or shade. This system finishes, or gets the animals to a weight where they are ready for slaughter, as fast as possible. For the animals, CAFOs deliver a lower quality of life and generally don’t meet humane standards. For the farmer, it’s a cheaper and expedient form of production.
cafo + pasture-raised:
Some cattle are raised in an outdoor pasture-like space, but eat a mix of grass and grains like corn. In these cases, farmers may not have enough space to pasture-raise all of their cattle all the time, and feeding cattle corn can be cheaper and hasten growth. Therefore, cattle get some of the benefits from a pasture-like setting, but their diet may lead to meat with fewer health benefits.
Pasture-raised:
Cattle raised on pasture have the highest quality of life with access to fresh air, room to roam, and the ability to live in their natural environment. Farms with harsh winters will save hay in the summer months to ensure their cattle are grass-fed year-round. In this instance, pasture-raised refers to where an animal spends its life, and grass-fed refers to what an animal eats.
The majority of beef is sent to large-scale meat packing plants due to their accessibility and low-cost. Mass production processing facilities are extremely unsafe for workers, leading to many injuries. According to the GAO, meatpacking is one of the most hazardous US jobs. Many of these plants have also been the source of COVID-19 outbreaks. It should also be noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale slaughterhouses have been the site of many outbreaks.
Large-Scale Slaughter:
Most farmers opt to send their cattle off-farm for slaughter, as they may not feel equipped or may not want to have to take on the emotional weight of slaughtering their own animals. Others may not have the licensing or facilities to do so and find it cheaper to use a local USDA inspected slaughterhouse. By working with a small-scale, local slaughterhouse they can still support the local economy and support safer working conditions for butchers.
Small-Scale Slaughter:
A very small number of farmers slaughter their cattle on the farm, or in the pasture. Animals who are slaughtered on the farm may have the lowest stress death, as they don’t need to be transported before they are killed. Sometimes slaughter is done in the pasture using traditional methods, or with a mobile slaughterhouse unit. On-farm slaughter can result in the best flavored meat. From there, the beef is sent to be processed, or butchered, into cuts you would find at the grocery store.
On-Farm:
death
Now that you know a little more about the many stages that meat can go through during its lifecycle, put your knowledge to use. Start a conversation with your farmer about where they choose to slaughter, ask the deli-counter worker if they have pasture-raised options, or search for farms that use small-scale slaughterhouses near you. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to eating that next burger or steak that you can feel good about.
This article was produced in partnership with The Good Acre, the largest nonprofit food hub in Minnesota, who is dedicated to empowering farmers and food entrepreneurs to achieve economic prosperity.
Supporting their CSA program helps small farmers earn a fair income, boost local economies, practice sustainable agriculture. Learn more about this how market access is key to building resilient and sustainable food systems by checking out their website thegoodacre.org and following them on Instagram and Facebook @thegoodacremn
Tell me how to
Explore local beef sourcing options:
Search for “grass-fed and finished beef near me” online.
Join a local meat CSA through the Minnesota Grown database.
Talk to your co-op meat counter staff.
Head to your local farmer’s market and strike up a conversation with the beef farmers there.
learn more
Find a beef farmer through our Farm Matchmaking™ program.
Farm Matchmaking™
Book Your Consultation
Farm Matchmaking™ is a pilot concierge service, designed to make it easy to purchase directly from local, humane farmers.
We meet with you one-to-one to learn your needs for food from local farms. We then go to our trusted network of farmers to connect you with the perfect CSA or animal products for your household.
Want to learn more? Book a consultation to see how we can help.
schedule a consult
