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All cows eat grass, but at Dakota Beef that grass must be grown
on certified organic fields. In fact, our cattle are born and
raised on certified organic pasture, land that has not been sprayed
with chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides for at least
three years. Once the land has received organic certification,
pregnant cows must be moved into the field prior to their last
trimester for the calf to enter the organic program. As the calf grows, it cannot be administered any antibiotics
or growth-promoting hormones. It must also have unrestricted
access to the outdoors. Any grasses brought in for bedding must
be certified organic as well, since it may be eaten.
At Dakota Beef we add certified organic
grains to our cattle’s
diet to give it the marbling that most consumers expect. In addition
to the traditional mix of corn and oats, Dakota Beef adds flax
seed to improve the Omega-3 fatty acid levels in the final product.
Proponents of grass-fed beef often discuss the high levels of
Omega-3 fatty acids in their animals, but this can be deceiving,
since the amount of Omega-3 in grass decreases as the grass dries.
By the end of the season, there might be only a tiny amount still
remaining in the grass the cattle are eating. By using flax seed
cakes, which still contain a substantial amount of oil even as
the cake dries, the amount of Omega-3 being fed to Dakota Beef’s
cattle is consistent throughout the year.
It is also imperative that our cattle
receive humane treatment during their lives.
In the conventional beef industry, cattle
are indiscriminately administered antibiotics
to minimize the risk of disease. The National
Organic Program strictly prohibits
the use of any antibiotics on cattle. Instead,
Dakota Beef relies on its producers to use
humane handling techniques to keep stress
levels low among its cattle. This helps keep
the animal’s
natural immune system working at optimum levels,
so they are less likely to contract a disease.
Dakota Beef believes the Certified Organic Program ensures that
its cattle are raised in a way that is better for the animal
and the environment while offering a more enjoyable dining experience
for consumers. |