What’s the Big Deal with Natural Beef? Ever since Niman Ranch began making a big splash in the news and gaining attention in the public eye people have been asking the questions “What’s so special about natural beef?” and “What makes Niman Ranch beef so much better than beef sold on the conventional livestock market?” There is an easy answer to these questions: natural beef tastes better and is better for you. But then of course this begs the biggest question; why? To answer this one must examine the core philosophies that govern every step of the raising of Niman Ranch livestock. Niman Ranch understands and feels a keen responsibility in their role as stewards of both the cattle they raise and the environment in general. It is this sense of responsibility in the maintaining of the health and balance of humans, animals and the environment that inspires and motivates the adherence to traditional natural beef farming. What Makes Niman Ranch Natural Beef Different?One key factor that allows Niman Ranch to uphold such high standards of natural beef farming is cutting back the number of animals they attempt to raise at one time. Typical cattle farms today raise huge numbers of cattle confined in stalls and in very close proximity. This method of raising cattle has a few detrimental effects; it produces large amounts of waste that is then liquefied and stored in massive pits called waste lagoons. These waste lagoons are a major source of pollution introducing antibiotics, bacteria, and nitrogen into the air and groundwater. By raising animals in more modest numbers Niman Ranch farmers and ranchers preserve the integrity of the land and water for the community. A second vital factor effecting the quality and taste of the natural beef produced by Niman Ranch farmers is the all-vegetarian diet cattle are fed. In nature, cows are strict herbivores—they eat only plants, and their digestive systems are designed to healthfully process an all-vegetarian diet. Many other cattle ranches introduce animal products into the feed of their cattle to encourage more rapid growth, enabling cattle to make market weight more quickly. But because cows are unequipped to deal with diseases and infection introduced in animal tissue they can get ill. Conventional beef farmers respond to this problem by lacing animal feeds with antibiotics and hormones to keep cattle healthy. Niman Ranch circumvents the problem entirely by adhering to a strict 100% vegetarian diet and good animal husbandry techniques. The absence of added antibiotics and hormones in the vegetarian feed of Niman Ranch cattle is largely responsible for the superior flavor and texture of natural beef and significantly contributes to the health of both the cattle and humans, proving once again that when it comes to food and farming, the natural way is often the best way. You can learn more about our products on the following pages:
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