Cattle Lot Beef Vs. Pasture Beef“The Debate”

By: Jordan Cress

Cattle Lots…• It takes cattle that are fed corn about 12-15 months to make

weight. Produced more frequently. • 97% of beef in the market is grain-fed• Feed lot cattle are protected from predators• Any animal that is sick is removed from pens and treated by

the vet• Cattle lots are kept as clean as possible for the cow’s and

worker’s health• $2.50/lb• Average cattle lot is 25-80 acres depending on how many cows

there are

Feed lots are kept clean and animals are fed twice a day.

Pasture Beef

• It takes cattle that are fed grass about 20-24 months to make weight

• Higher nutritional value• Less fat• 3% of beef in the market is pasture fed• $9/lb• Average size of pasture needed is 2.5-30 acres

depending on the quality of land

Pasture raised cattle are kept on pasture.

What They Agree On…

• Feed the world• Produce good quality meat • Keeping animals healthy• Reduce emissions from cattle farming• Feed cows forage• A lot of land is needed

Middle Grounds…

• Create a diet that is both grass and corn fed• Keep a safe environment that will protect

cattle from both predators and weather• Produce quality beef products for consumers

at a reasonable price• Composting manure to better environment

Sources…

• FAO.org• USDA.gov• About.com/Animal Rights • MagnumFeedyard.com