Many consumers these days are in search of products from grassfed animals—and for good reason. Animals raised free range and fed on grass, as nature intended, are healthier, more nutritious and provide better-tasting food. Modern “factory farm” methods have removed animal breeding and raising a long distance from natural methods in an effort to produce marketable products as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Many shoppers today are concerned about the health impact of added hormones and antibiotics, along with the extremely close quarters and inhumane treatment of animals.
One problem for consumers, however, has been finding genuine grassfed animal products. This led to the formation of a non-profit certification organization called the American Grassfed Association (AGA).
“We were formed in 2003 in response to the USDA’s first pass at a grassfed label claim, where they said you could feed the animals 20 percent grain, confine them, give them hormones and call it grassfed,” Carrie Balkcom, executive director of the American Grassfed Association, told Organic Connections. “We came together to work with the USDA to come up with a meaningful grassfed label claim, and we’ve been in business ever since.”
For four years, the AGA worked closely with the USDA for a higher-level certification. In 2007 the agency released a new grassfed label claim, which, while it stated that an animal had to be fed on grass its entire life, did not address the issues of antibiotics, hormones, confinement and several other factors, as well as leaving a loophole for producers to continue feeding animals some grain.
At that point, while continuing to work with the USDA for a higher-level certification, the AGA decided to take matters into their own hands. “We now have our own standards and an independent, third-party on-farm audit program with a trademarked logo,” said Balkcom. That standard means beef (as well as bison, goats and sheep) that is 100 percent grassfed, contains no hormones or antibiotics and is raised free range instead of being confined. It also includes dairy products that come from one of the AGA-audited farms. The organization is working on certifications for pork and poultry—which forage for and eat grass seeds as part of their diet—and will soon incorporate them as well.
It was important to the AGA to take into account the non-use of hormones and antibiotics in the grassfed labeling, for numerous reasons. “We did a lot of research with consumer groups, and consumers believe, when they see a ‘grassfed’ label, that animals have been raised in pastures and have not been given antibiotics and hormones,” said Balkcom. “In keeping with what we believe and what the consumer believes they’re getting, that is why we went with that as part of the labeling. Plus it’s not necessary, it’s not good for the animals and it’s not good for us.”
Grassfed farms are also far friendlier to the environment. Animals allowed to graze on pasture spread their waste over the entire pasture area, providing a natural source of fertilizer.
Currently, there are approximately 60 farms and ranches that are approved by the AGA and can utilize their logo. The AGA standards are exacting and are very specific as to the ability of animals to roam freely, what their diets must consist of, and much more. A full listing of these standards can be found at the AGA website: www.americangrassfed.org.
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