Grass and Grains
Cows eat grass. Nearly all cows eat grass at some stage in their life and some eat only grass for their entire life. We raise our cattle on grass in open pastures until they weigh 800 to 900 lbs. At that point, we move select animals to our finishing farm where they will gain weight on our Non GMO grain diet. Our Ohio grown Non GMO corn, peas, lentils, free choice hay and organic minerals really pack on the pounds. The cattle gain weight in muscle and fat... fat that permeates the muscle tissue and provides great marbling throughout the beef. Finishing beef on grain for at least 240 days and perfectly aging our steaks makes our beef tender and delicious! Read reviews and testimonials here.
​
Our natural feed and natural finishing process takes longer than conventional hormone-induced growth and fattening processes common today. We never add unnatural ingredients or antibiotics in our feed, only natural Non GMO grains and corn fodder.
​
While our animals are restricted to feeding areas when eating grain, they're never over-crowded in enclosed areas. The finishing barns are light and airy with no solid walls and plenty of light and fresh air. Bedding is sawdust which is removed and replaced regularly to provide solid footing for our cattle. Manure is removed and spread on hay ground to fertilize the soil and make our hay really grow.
Todd and Beth at Shafer Farms grow all of our Non GMO corn at their farm outside Zanesville Ohio.
What is the Non GMO Movement All About?
GMO is a term used loosely to describe modifications to strands of DNA in seeds to unnaturally produce desired results in crops. Over 90% of corn produced in the United States has been genetically modified to resist chemicals like 2--4-D and glyphosate. When a genetically engineered corn plant is resistant to the effects of these chemicals, those chemicals can be sprayed generously over the entire field, killing almost everything that is green, except for the corn.
​
Opponents of genetically engineered food don't like the fact that these chemical residues live on the plants after they are sprayed and they distrust the science that says they are OK to eat.
Proponents claim that demand for food couldn't be met without genetically modified seeds that make farming more efficient.
There are 10 genetically modified crops commercially available today: alfalfa, apples, canola, corn (field and sweet), cotton, papaya, potatoes, soybeans, squash and sugar beets.
​
Below is a link to an article that shows what countries ban GMOs.
https://gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/where-are-gmos-grown-and-banned/
​
Below is an article on gmo myths vs. facts.
https://gmoanswers.com/gmo-myths-vs-facts
​
Visit The Non GMO Project
​
​
