Grass fed beef is meat from cows that have been raised primarily on forage (i.e. grass) rather than fed prepared cattle feed. This type of beef is experiencing a surge in popularity, due to the natural methods of raising it, and due to scares related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or, colloquially, "mad cow disease"). Meat is animal tissue (mainly muscle) used as food. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ... A grassy swamp. ... Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease of cattle, which infects by a mechanism that shocked biologists on its discovery in late 20th century. ...

Effect on health

Grass fed beef is considered to be a healthier beef because it contains CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), it is rich in Omega 3s--essential fatty acids, and it has reduced fat.It needs to be noted that grass fed beef has a much different flavor and texture than grain fed beef. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a family of eight geometric isomers of linoleic acid, which is found preferentially in dairy products and meat. ... Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in certain fish tissues, and in vegetable sources such as flax seeds, walnuts, and canola oil. ...

A more direct effect on human health is that grass fed cattle are less likely to carry acid-resistant enterohemorrhagic E. coli, decreasing the risk of this foodborne illness. An acidic cow's gut favours the growth of this bacterium. Cellulose in grass takes longer to break down than the starchy carbohydrates in grains, reducing acidity by making it more difficult for acid-producing bacteria (such as Streptococcus bovis) to multiply quickly in the rumen. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne illness. ... Streptococcus bovis is a rare cause of neonatal septicaemia and meningitis. ... The rumen, also called the forestomach or paunch, is the second compartment of a ruminant animals stomach and serves as the primary site of fermentation of digesta in the entire digestive tract. ...

See also

• Free range
• Corn-fed