Most beef you will buy in a Canadian store is finished on grain. Wondering if there is any nutritional difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef?

What is the difference?

Beef cattle that are only fed grass or forages their entire lives are called grass-fed. Grain-finished cattle are raised on grass or forages for most of their lives and then finished on grain. Finishing refers to feeding cattle and energy-rich diet prior to going to market for sale as meat.

Which is better for you?

Research does show some differences in the levels of vitamin B, calcium and potassium between grass-fed and grain-finished beef. Taking into consideration an individual’s entire diet, most studies agree that there these differences are not meaningful. All beef is an important source of zinc, iron and protein!

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SnapAg:
What are GMOs and are they okay to eat? What does organic farming look like? How are animals like chickens or cattle raised?

snapAG is a series of resources that invite students to explore the hot topics affecting the agriculture industry today. Topics range from organics, biotechnology, GMOs, livestock, and more.

Explore what’s trending in agriculture in Canada by browsing the topics here.

Sources available at: https://aitc-canada.ca/en-ca/learn-about-agriculture

snapAg is brought to you by Agriculture in the Classroom Canada and partners.