Grass-Fed? Grass-Finished? Pasture-Raised? Clarifications from the USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), responsible for overseeing beef production in the United States, defines grass-fed beef as beef where "grass and forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning." According to this definition, the diet of grass-fed cattle should exclusively comprise forage, which includes grass. Additionally, these animals must not be fed grain or grain by-products and should have continuous access to pasture during the growing season.
All cattle begin their lives consuming grass. Typically, in their initial months, cattle are nursed and graze in pastures. After approximately six months, those raised conventionally are often transferred to feedlots for an additional three to four months, where they are fed grain as a cost-effective strategy to prepare them for market.
There is, however, considerable variation within grass-fed beef products, including "grass-finished beef." The term "grass" itself has differing interpretations. High-quality grass-fed beef usually comes from cattle that remain at pasture, ideally organic pastures without pesticide use. In contrast, the more commonly available grass-fed beef in supermarkets often originates from cattle sent to feedlots, where they are fed grass pellets. To ensure that grass-fed beef genuinely comes from cattle that have consumed grass, consumers are encouraged to establish a relationship with local ranchers and family farms. In the absence of local ranchers, resources such as this guide aim to assist consumers in making informed choices.
