1. Organic and Conventional Beef in the United States Dustie Tibboel

2. Conventional Beef Production raises cattle in feedlot operations cattle get fed a diet of mostly grain and protein receive vaccinations to keep them healthy. many use growth hormones to help cattle grow and gain weight more easily and rapidly

3. Organic Beef Production has to follow USDA (United States Department of Agricultural) standards. standards and regulations included, but are not limited to, at least one hundred twenty days on grass pasture and being vaccination and feed additive free.

4. Value of meat (nutrition) “[Organic is] no healthier and not significantly safer than conventional foods and produce grown with pesticides.” No greater value of nutrition

5. Animal Welfare Conventional cattle are provided with sufficient amounts of water, food, and comfortable space in feedlots cattle are not stressed and are kept healthy Organic cattle are raised in a pasture setting in grazing season, at least one hundred twenty days then transferred to lots during the off-grazing season.

6. Effects on markets Termination of growth hormones – 8% drop in beef produced – 11% increase in beef retail prices – 8.5% drop in per-capita beef consumption Stated be the Sustainable Beef Resource Center

7. Environmental effects conventional production systems are three times more land-efficient than the organic- grass-only system reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 percent

8. Conclusion Organic beef is not any more nutritious than conventionally raised beef Organic cost more than conventional beef Cattle are not more stressful in conventional operations than organic

9. Citations New York Daily News. n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. http://www.nydailynews.com/life- style/health/organic-food-healthier-stanford-researchers-nutrition-organic-meats-produce-dairy-better- article-1.1151470 United States Department if Agriculture. n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/cattle-beef/background.aspx#.UVXOExx-8q0 Green Living. n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/organic-beef-vs- conventional-beef-2840.html United States Department if Agriculture. n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/97issues.htm#Issue4 Beef Magazine. n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013 http://beefmagazine.com/americancowman/health/0309- conventional-beef-production Sustainable Beef Resource Center. n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013.http://www.sustainablebeef.org/eco.shtmlhttp://www.sustainablebeef.org/eco.shtml Old Line Custom Meat Company. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. http://oldlinemeats.com/beef.htmlhttp://oldlinemeats.com/beef.html Animal Photos. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. http://animalphotos.info/a/topics/animals/mammals/cows/http://animalphotos.info/a/topics/animals/mammals/cows/