Organic beef

[Oldcountryboy]

Anyone raise Organic beef? If so, do you feed out on organic grain the last couple of months? Do you raise your own grain or buy it somewhere?

Could a person raise a couple of acres of grain and instead of harvesting the grain just turn the steer in it and let him eat all he wants or would he bloat hisself?

Trying to figure out how to raise a beef organically and still grain feed it for the last few months without purchasing grain feed. Any suggestions out there?

[cathleenc]

can't answer your question - but did want to say that to me, a beef consumer (buy it by the 1/4), grass fed is more important than organic when making my purchasing decision. Even more specifically, I look for grass fed jersey.

You might want to verify that for your local market organic grain finished is highly desireable.

[Trisha in WA]

I agree with cathleenc. Grass fed seems to be more important to most people.
I do sell organic grain fed pork and organic eggs though, so I buy organic grain from a mill in Canada (on the west coast). So, I know it is available...and in other areas as well...if that is the route you decide to take.

[agmantoo]

You could plant corn then rotational graze the corn. Where you install the temporary fence to control grazing I would suggest that you knock the corn down first. Otherwise, the corn stalks would short the fence out as they get knocked over.

[Oldcountryboy]

I'm mainly thinking of raising for myself, not the market. I like a grain fed steer but am starting to turn away from feed lot, commercial grain fed animals. For environmental reasons as well.

Am thinking of grass raising a beef calf and then switching over to a grain field when tops are ready for harvesting. Just about the time all the grain tops are gone, I'll then send it to be processed. Or process it myself.

[haypoint]

Michigan State University ExtensionAgency is holding educational meetings this month about the benifits of raising organic hay and grain crops. Farmers are beginning to realize the higher price for these organic products. With farming, as soon as one thing looks to be profitable, everybody jumps into it, flooding the market, driving the price down to the break even level. So, if this trend catches on, you can expect to be able to buy organicly raised hay and grain at juust over the price for "regular" crops.

[Trisha in WA]

r.h. I commend your efforts. Yes, I think you have a very good idea with the growing of a crop and grazing it at just the right time...good for you.