Re: Organic versus conventional

[Guest guest]

When I was younger, the processors came to your farm to retrieve the animals. They would dispatch the animal in familiar surroundings and then transport it to their plant for processing. Kept stress down on the animal. Even some of the most tame animals that load and unload very well can become stressed at the processors simply from the sounds and actions of other animals that are already there in the holding pens. We had to take a halter broke cow to the processor a couple of weeks ago. She’d climb in your back pocket. When we arrived there was a young Charolais bull in the holding pen that was frantic. This cow had done the fair show circuit in three states and nothing unsettled her. Thankfully she didn’t pay him any attention but the sounds and actions of the young bull could have certainly stressed most animals. __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5791 (20110116) __________The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

Again… the two best pieces of shepherding advice I’ve been given in my life… “Cull ruthlessly” and “Always remember… you aren’t raising livestock, you are raising quality forage… quality livestock and milk is just the result” Sheri Palko, owner/managerLocust Grove Farm, Farmstead Sheep's Milk Cheeseswww.locustgrovefarm.net

[Guest guest]

As a consumer that represents a food buying network with over 100 members and

climbing, I can testify that many consumers will NOT go back to Big Beef once

they learn the benefits (to cow, consumer health, farmer pocket, and

environment) of grass-fed milk/beef and the dangers (to human, cow, and

environment) of grain-fed milk/beef.

I work hard to find true grass-fed products for many family, collaborating with

others to milk and meat directly from the farmer. We are not rich, but consider

eating healthy as a priority as it saves us from health bills down the road, and

thus are willing to pay a high premium for grass-fed products. In addition to

the economic sacrifice, the grass-fed lifestyle is also a hassle because we

sometimes have to wait weeks for the delivery of our raw milk and grass-fed meat

to arrive.

I am so passionate about pursuing the grass-fed ideal that my blood nearly boils

when when my DH brings home cheap conventional milk or meat from the grocery

store because he wanted a quick fix.

Please don't overlook the consumer demand for grass-fed products as a passing

fad for the rich that will fade with time or with economic constraints. Quality

food is the LAST thing I will sacrifice when it comes to my family budget.

Kind regards,

Mathias

Founder, MiamiRealFood.org

>

> People will buy food for health reasons for a while, but like their New

Year's Resolutions, they'll soon tire of the sacrifice and go back to reliable

Big Beef. On the other hand, food that tastes memorable will always be in

demand.

>

> Trying to fit the wrong cows into the wrong feeding and finishing system hurts

everybody. All customers will remember is that all grass fed is not as tasty and

that they have to make a decision between good and good for you. And our moment

will have passed.

>

> Of course this only hits home if your beef is sold by someone who understands

it....

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

There will always be those who will go out of their way to do the right things,

as evidenced by your interest in this group, the extra trouble you are willing

to go to for better food and your work to educate others via your website. If we

had enough consumers as conscious as you are, the industrial food system would

be very different than it is today.

What I am trying to articulate (I'm struggling, I know) is that the average

person doesn't really care about this stuff in the same way as we do. Buyers are

overwhelmed with data and make super quick assessments of good and bad based on

really thin information. The typical consumer is likely to really quickly

categorize products into two simple categories: good and bad. Which is exactly

why Big Ag keeps bastardizing the buzzwords.

As farmers, we need to understand our products really well and be able to

articulate why the public should work a little harder to buy it. As difficult

and frustrating as it can be, it is critical to our future success. And part of

good marketing is the excellence of the product itself. And once you

disappoint, it's nearly impossible to recover.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

There will always be those who will go out of their way to do the right things,

as evidenced by your interest in this group, the extra trouble you are willing

to go to for better food and your work to educate others via your website. If we

had enough consumers as conscious as you are, the industrial food system would

be very different than it is today.

What I am trying to articulate (I'm struggling, I know) is that the average

person doesn't really care about this stuff in the same way as we do. Buyers are

overwhelmed with data and make super quick assessments of good and bad based on

really thin information. The typical consumer is likely to really quickly

categorize products into two simple categories: good and bad. Which is exactly

why Big Ag keeps bastardizing the buzzwords.

As farmers, we need to understand our products really well and be able to

articulate why the public should work a little harder to buy it. As difficult

and frustrating as it can be, it is critical to our future success. And part of

good marketing is the excellence of the product itself. And once you

disappoint, it's nearly impossible to recover.