What are your cows eating? -thoughts and facts please
kelseyhere
Posts: 1,123 Member
Today I heard this story on the radio: http://www.marketplace.org/topics/sustainability/what-are-your-cows-eating-cookies-ice-cream-and-more
To sum it up, because of current drought conditions farmers are being forced to find new, less expensive food sources for their cattle. Cattle typically eat corn according to the story, but because the price is high now, some cattle are instead eating chocolate, reject taco shells from the factory and even left-over candy. This immediately made me wonder, what is the effect on the quality of the meat and dairy that these cows are producing? The farmer interviewed for the story openly admitted that the cows get fat from the high sugar diet, just like a human would. So then I wonder, well is there some equivalent of cow diabetes? Does the extra belly fat make them unhealthy too? It can't be good for the animals. The health of the animals wasn't even mentioned in the story, it was more just the "wow" factor that animals like candy too (who wouldn't like anything that's mainly sugar?). I can't imagine that drinking milk that comes form a cow who primarily ate sugar over a cow who ate a balanced diet can be as nutritionally sound, but then again I don't know much about animal biology.
So now I ask you beloved MFP community, not only what do you think about this issue, but also does anyone have any facts on how the cow's diet impacts the human health later down the line if we eat their meat and or dairy? Grass-feds meats are becoming more popular, but I'm not sure what studies have been done to prove if they are actually better for you.
I don't intend for this to become a political post, I'd rather that you share information about how this kind of diet impacts not only our health, but the animals as well. Let's try and stick to the facts people.
To sum it up, because of current drought conditions farmers are being forced to find new, less expensive food sources for their cattle. Cattle typically eat corn according to the story, but because the price is high now, some cattle are instead eating chocolate, reject taco shells from the factory and even left-over candy. This immediately made me wonder, what is the effect on the quality of the meat and dairy that these cows are producing? The farmer interviewed for the story openly admitted that the cows get fat from the high sugar diet, just like a human would. So then I wonder, well is there some equivalent of cow diabetes? Does the extra belly fat make them unhealthy too? It can't be good for the animals. The health of the animals wasn't even mentioned in the story, it was more just the "wow" factor that animals like candy too (who wouldn't like anything that's mainly sugar?). I can't imagine that drinking milk that comes form a cow who primarily ate sugar over a cow who ate a balanced diet can be as nutritionally sound, but then again I don't know much about animal biology.
So now I ask you beloved MFP community, not only what do you think about this issue, but also does anyone have any facts on how the cow's diet impacts the human health later down the line if we eat their meat and or dairy? Grass-feds meats are becoming more popular, but I'm not sure what studies have been done to prove if they are actually better for you.
I don't intend for this to become a political post, I'd rather that you share information about how this kind of diet impacts not only our health, but the animals as well. Let's try and stick to the facts people.
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Replies
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i dont think their primary diet is sugar0
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When I was in university many many years ago, 1971-76, we visited a "modern farm". Cattle were locked into their stalls and fed from a conveyor belt. On the conveyer belt was a mixture of, guess what, chips, crackers and other snack foods. The "snacks" were crushed and mixed with some sort of oil to form a paste or slurry. This paste was fed continuously for over a hundred days to fatten them up for market. So the practice is not new. Oh yes, the diet of slurry destroyed their digestive systems...leaving them vulnerable for slaughter.
On a lighter note, given the price of steak they must be eating gold0 -
I heard that story too and was just telling my husband about it. Face it, if you are what you eat, those cows are going to lack the nutrition that cows should have if they are eating what cows should eat. I don't care if local meat does cost more, we're going to quit buying grocery store meats.0
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Not sure how this current shift in diet affects human health down the line, but there is a great deal of evidence supporting that the feed of animals affects the balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 in the end products.
Cows, fish and chickens produce products with more Omega 6 and less Omega 3 when fed grain instead of grazing (or in the case of fish, farm-raised versus wild). In fact, one of the reasons that eggs are healthier today than they were 20 years ago (and the entire philosophy behind Eggland's Best) is that we feed the chickens differently now.
So yes, I think feeding cows waste from other areas of the food industry will ultimately impact the nutritional value of all products derived from them. Couldn't guess how though.0 -
I'm in Texas and own cattle with my father. The hay supply has improved over the last year, so our cattle of course eat grass and hay, but hey also eat Rice Shaft, Bread, and Potatoes. Occassionally we may auction a couple off and not sure where they end up or what they end up as.0
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Cows aren't supposed to eat corn, either. They like to graze.0
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I have honestly never read a post or article that made me want to turn vegitarian/vegan, until now.....
edit: and this may sound weird but the reason isn't ONLY because of the nutritional value for me in the end result of eating the cow. It's the fact that these poor creatures are succomb to this... I know it's weird but I love cows, I think they're adorable and cuddly and I was raised on a farm my entire life, but I do, in fact, eat them. I just never have eaten any that we raised personally. But the ones we raised were fed sweet feed, grass, and hay. That's it. So I would feel good about whoever gets to have them for dinner getting the best they can from that cow. But... this... I don't want to eat a cow that's been given things like this... it makes me sad for the cow....0 -
MMMmmmmm chocolate taco shell candied steak! Yum!0
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this story is not only about cows. A local pig farmer feeds his pigs cereal, ice cream, milk. All products that normally would go to waste. Not sure how I feel about that but atleast someone or something is benefitting from the sale of waste material. With the economy the way it is, I'm sure we have not heard the last of this subject.
Oh wait!!! Kind of reminds me of way back when when people used to slop the hogs. They ate leftover table scraps and garden remains. Not much different.0 -
One of my coworkers and a couple friends of mine raise cows. All grass fed.0
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Former farm girl here. My now ex-husband owned a dairy farm that was in the family for over 100+ years. I recently visited the farm and some other farms while I was there (New York) to see some friends. I can assure you that not at one of them did I see any of the items you mentioned fed to the cattle. We have always fed and they continue to feed the cattle hay, dried corn, soy beans, sileage, minerals etc. No chocolate, taco shells or the like as mentioned in the story. The most obscure? food I have ever seen fed to the cattle is unsold pumpkins from the nearby grower. I saw the story also and honestly feel that farms that they mentioned are more the exception than the rule. I will say though that fresh locally raised beef tastes a thousand times better than the meat you buy at chain grocery stores.0
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cows also eat hay! not just corn0
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We've been buying local, grass fed beef for two years plus eating harvested elk (hubby is a hunter). We much prefer knowing where our meat is coming from even though it is more expensive.0
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Cows are eating a lot of corn and other byproducts (sugar slurries) from other food manufacturing. It's not healthy for the cows, and it's not healthy for us. But it's kind of hard to avoid the nasties of food production - malnourished meats, pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables, and corn - lots and lots of corn. Americans have a pretty poor diet. But don't be fooled by "cage free" eggs, organic produce, and hormone-free milk and meats. Especially the word "natural" - it means nothing! The standards for "healthy" foods are limited, and have a lot of freedoms. So unless you speak directly with the growers, do not assume anything. A lot of times, the "bad" foods are not much worse than the "healthy" ones. That being said, if you eat meat, try and find a distributer that grazes their cattle on grass during the summers. Certain foods are more prone to pesticide residue, and are better bought organic - i.e. apples. Learn about the guidelines for "organic" produce online. Educate yourself. You'll be amazed at how insane our food system is from farm to table.
But keep in mind that we wouldn't be able to feed everyone on "natural", "organic" produce and meat alone.0 -
i dont think their primary diet is sugar
Shouldn't be grains either, but they sure feed it to them on those factory farms.
The cows I eat are grass fed, the way they are supposed to eat.0 -
Former farm girl here. My now ex-husband owned a dairy farm that was in the family for over 100+ years. I recently visited the farm and some other farms while I was there (New York) to see some friends. I can assure you that not at one of them did I see any of the items you mentioned fed to the cattle. We have always fed and they continue to feed the cattle hay, dried corn, soy beans, sileage, minerals etc. No chocolate, taco shells or the like as mentioned in the story. The most obscure? food I have ever seen fed to the cattle is unsold pumpkins from the nearby grower. I saw the story also and honestly feel that farms that they mentioned are more the exception than the rule. I will say though that fresh locally raised beef tastes a thousand times better than the meat you buy at chain grocery stores.
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I buy my beef from a local farmer. Only Corn Fed. No hormones. Cut the steaks with a fork!0 -
Do you know that humans are the only species that seek out and drink another species milk? Do you know that baby cows are removed from their mothers within a few days of birth so that their milk can be stolen for human consumption? Do you know that the overproduction of milk in dairy cows produces a high PUS count in the milk you drink? Yes, PUS. Do you think that is healthy? Forget what they told you when growing up- that we need dairy products to be healthy, yada yada yada. Drinking cows milk, horse milk, pig milk or dog milk is NOT natural and not healthy. AT ALL. The consumption of animal products correlates with the development of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. All the major killers. The more of these products you eat, the more trouble you are in. Read about the China Study, watch Forks Over Knives, do SOMETHING. But please don't believe that you are consuming dairy products for your health. There is nothing healthy whatsoever about what the animal industry is doing to you via your palate. All they care about is their bottom line.0
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My brother-in-law is a rancher. His cows eat grass, hay, and are supplemented with some cattle feed. They pasture graze instead of being cooped up in stalls all day. But I know the majority of our beef is not treated so well.0
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this story is not only about cows. A local pig farmer feeds his pigs cereal, ice cream, milk. All products that normally would go to waste. Not sure how I feel about that but atleast someone or something is benefitting from the sale of waste material. With the economy the way it is, I'm sure we have not heard the last of this subject.
Oh wait!!! Kind of reminds me of way back when when people used to slop the hogs. They ate leftover table scraps and garden remains. Not much different.
It's a huge difference. Slop is mostly natural, raw foods.....scraps and such. Not junk food.0 -
I actually JUST read an article about this: http://www.isagenixhealth.net/blog/2012/09/18/why-use-new-zealand-whey-grain-fed-cows-are-sick/
I don't eat a lot of meat but the protein that I get daily is from protein shakes. I specifically chose this brand because it is organic and from grass fed cows. I try to only buy organic food and eat meat from grass-fed animals on the rare occasion that I do eat meat.0 -
Corn is bad enough. I'll stick to grass-fed, thanks.0
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I buy my beef from a local farmer. Only Corn Fed. No hormones. Cut the steaks with a fork!Former farm girl here. My now ex-husband owned a dairy farm that was in the family for over 100+ years. I recently visited the farm and some other farms while I was there (New York) to see some friends. I can assure you that not at one of them did I see any of the items you mentioned fed to the cattle. We have always fed and they continue to feed the cattle hay, dried corn, soy beans, sileage, minerals etc. No chocolate, taco shells or the like as mentioned in the story. The most obscure? food I have ever seen fed to the cattle is unsold pumpkins from the nearby grower. I saw the story also and honestly feel that farms that they mentioned are more the exception than the rule. I will say though that fresh locally raised beef tastes a thousand times better than the meat you buy at chain grocery stores.
I hate to tell you, but corn fed beef is NOT healthy0 -
Kind of reminds me of way back when when people used to slop the hogs. They ate leftover table scraps and garden remains. Not much different.
Seriously??? People ate way better back in the day. Their table scraps were most likely healthier than what most people are stuffing their faces with these days. Healthier produce and MUCH less sugar, for sure.0 -
When I was growing up in UK we raised pigs and chickens. The chickens were "free range" and had access to the grass and garden to get all the little extras that they needed. The yolks of the eggs they produced were bright yellow and stood up in the white as healthy eggs should. The pigs had their purchased pig meal from the mill but we also supplemented that with waste from the hotel business as well as the leftovers from the local fish and chip shop.... Not sure what they used to fry in but I am betting it might have been lard..... We always got top price for our pigs when they went to auction at market and as soon as the butchers knew they were from our farm the bidding started to go way up. Just saying! It seems that animal production has always used leftovers of some kind for food. Not saying I agree with it as I have never done any kind of study on how it impacts the health of the animal. I am suspecting it would depend a whole lot on the amount fed and for how long. Have to say, I envy those cows being fed chocolate as part of their diet LOL!!! (Just kidding!!)0
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Do you know that humans are the only species that seek out and drink another species milk? Do you know that baby cows are removed from their mothers within a few days of birth so that their milk can be stolen for human consumption? Do you know that the overproduction of milk in dairy cows produces a high PUS count in the milk you drink? Yes, PUS. Do you think that is healthy? Forget what they told you when growing up- that we need dairy products to be healthy, yada yada yada. Drinking cows milk, horse milk, pig milk or dog milk is NOT natural and not healthy. AT ALL. The consumption of animal products correlates with the development of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. All the major killers. The more of these products you eat, the more trouble you are in. Read about the China Study, watch Forks Over Knives, do SOMETHING. But please don't believe that you are consuming dairy products for your health. There is nothing healthy whatsoever about what the animal industry is doing to you via your palate. All they care about is their bottom line.
Dog....milk? Umm..
Yes, even though I'm a dairy fanatic, it's not really meant for us. In fact, our last evolutionary change was the ability to drink milk from other animals - that is one of the reasons why there are so many lactose-intolerant people out there. If you really want dairy that is "naturally" similar (such as to human breast milk) goats milk is the way to go.0 -
Do you know that humans are the only species that seek out and drink another species milk? Do you know that baby cows are removed from their mothers within a few days of birth so that their milk can be stolen for human consumption? Do you know that the overproduction of milk in dairy cows produces a high PUS count in the milk you drink? Yes, PUS. Do you think that is healthy? Forget what they told you when growing up- that we need dairy products to be healthy, yada yada yada. Drinking cows milk, horse milk, pig milk or dog milk is NOT natural and not healthy. AT ALL. The consumption of animal products correlates with the development of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. All the major killers. The more of these products you eat, the more trouble you are in. Read about the China Study, watch Forks Over Knives, do SOMETHING. But please don't believe that you are consuming dairy products for your health. There is nothing healthy whatsoever about what the animal industry is doing to you via your palate. All they care about is their bottom line.
You're no doubt aware that The China Study has been totally debunked? Of course you are.0 -
When I was growing up in UK we raised pigs and chickens. The chickens were "free range" and had access to the grass and garden to get all the little extras that they needed. The yolks of the eggs they produced were bright yellow and stood up in the white as healthy eggs should. The pigs had their purchased pig meal from the mill but we also supplemented that with waste from the hotel business as well as the leftovers from the local fish and chip shop.... Not sure what they used to fry in but I am betting it might have been lard..... We always got top price for our pigs when they went to auction at market and as soon as the butchers knew they were from our farm the bidding started to go way up. Just saying! It seems that animal production has always used leftovers of some kind for food. Not saying I agree with it as I have never done any kind of study on how it impacts the health of the animal. I am suspecting it would depend a whole lot on the amount fed and for how long. Have to say, I envy those cows being fed chocolate as part of their diet LOL!!! (Just kidding!!)
I would suspect that when you we're growing up there was less processed foods being consumed and served at the hotel, so the scraps your pigs got we're probably more natural than the scraps they get today.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, this is an interesting discussion.0 -
There are some good documentaries on netflix on this. One study I saw was talking about a correlation between grass fed vs grain fed and e-coli. Yes there are some serious problems concerning cow diet and direct results from food sources such as mad cow disease (a prion), which is from feeding cows ground up cow. Prion are malformed proteins and cannot be killed by cooking, they are kind of like a cross between cancer and a virus but not alive, yet can reproduce. There are many other prions developing. Also my uncle used to work for foster farms raising chicken on the industrial scale. Everyday he would go out and pick up all the dead chickens, save them and they would get ground up and turned into chicken feed. So some practices are not just with chickens. I am sorry I cant remember the name of the documetaries, one is Food INC i believe. Also checkout systemic pestacides.0
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Our cows eat grass. Cows have the digestive enzymes to benefit from eating grass - humans can't survive on it. Cows do NOT have the enzymes to digest junk food. And it's true, corn is not natural to their diet. It's just a filler.
True grass fed beef is the best, but it's like $8 a pound for hamburger!!! We're pretty lucky to be able to raise our own beef.0 -
Grew up on a farm and my Dad still raises cattle. They are in the pasture when there is grass to eat, fed hay and silage when the calves are fattened up for going to market on the corn silage,supplements, soybean meal for protein, and hay. The cows are also fed hay and silage during the winter when there is no pasture and to help maintain them in a healthy condition through the winter. Some of the best beef you can eat! No comparison to what you get in the grocery stores! I don't know anybody around here that feeds any of that stuff, but mostly family farmers around here!0
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