Re: What is wrong with feeding cattle grain?

[Guest guest]

Hi, you must be new or haven't read the last two or three weeks of

posts. If you go back over them you will get a wealth of information

and perspectives on the subject.

Ellen

> Hi Raw Dairy folks,

>

> Please, excuse my ignorance. What is the problem with giving cattle, at

> least some grain, if the cattle are allowed grass feeding, and hay (and

> hopefully alfalfa)? My main question here is what is wrong with, at

least,

> " some " grain? Please, indulge me, I do not understand the problem with

> this.

>

> Thanks,

> huehue

[Guest guest]

The grain issue boils down to convictions, traditions and

research. Research is showing that grass only feeding produced higher

levels of CLA and omega-3/6 ratios. Soy is also believed to be a problem

feed. No-grain is also a big turn from tradition, US farmers have been

feeding grain in increasing amounts for decades to increase

production. Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about their food and

how it is raised and demanding grass fed only, no soy, or organically

raised, etc. The previous discussion covered many points, but may be a bit

hard to follow as it was a little heated. There is some good research on

www.eatwild.com

Mike Pasterik

Providence Pastures Farm

Farm Fresh Natural Foods

www.providencepastures.com

[Guest guest]

There's nothing wrong with it. It's a choice people have to make for themselves. The energy produced by the grain within the cow, aids in milk production and will put on fat at the end of grass feeding with beef animals.

It's just a matter of choice.

K.C.

What is wrong with feeding cattle grain?

Hi Raw Dairy folks,Please, excuse my ignorance. What is the problem with giving cattle, atleast some grain, if the cattle are allowed grass feeding, and hay (andhopefully alfalfa)? My main question here is what is wrong with, at least,"some" grain? Please, indulge me, I do not understand the problem withthis.Thanks,huehuePLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

[Guest guest]

Another piece to the grain/grass issue is the pH balance of the

milk. The American diet promotes a high acid level in our guts and

bloodstreams because we use so much sugar and processed (refined)

foods. This makes a great environment for acid-loving bacteria

(cause of acid reflux and other digestive disorders) and fungus.

Some medical thinkers say even cancers, autism and inflammatory

issues like arthritis, bone loss and diabetes are related to this

acid level. Here's an article about autism that talks about it:

http://www.autismndi.com/news/display.asp?

content=News & shownews=20040721140600.

Anyway, the most-used grains (wheat and corn) promote an acidic

environment due to their genetic selection for size and yield over

the years. Others like millet and quinoa have not been selected that

way, so they are thought to be benign in combination with plenty of

alkaline foods such as leafy greens. Feeding either dairy or beef

cattle with the wheat or corn makes their milk and meat quite

acidic, when normally these items would be on the alkaline side due

to the grass-based diet of an herbivore.

I first heard about this from a grass-based beef producer here in

Washington, and then read up on it in several books from the

library. Most acid-alkaline diets just leave out meat and dairy

altogether but some are realizing the benefits of grass-fed items.

Interesting, huh?!

Sara

Washington State