Today’s consumer hears a lot of information about food and food safety. Many groups try to persuade consumers that one method of agriculture is better over another, and that certain methods produce safer food. This confuses consumers and creates many misconceptions about agriculture.
One example of this came this week on Morning News Beat by Kevin Coupe. The article was called “Extolling the Virtues of Pasture-Based Farms.” I’ve read several items by KC and he genuinely cares about food safety and supporting farmers. Because there are so many ways to get information today, it’s hard to define the facts from misconceptions. KC reported about an article he read in the Detroit Free Press which talked about pasture based farms which specialize in grass-fed animals that are not “fattened” up with grain or kept in restricted areas. The Detroit Free Press article implies beef raised this way tastes better, and creates happier farmers with bigger profits.
KC comments that farms that raise grass-fed aniamls will be well positioned if there is ever another major beef recall. The media coverage on the beef recall which happened in Februray has confused many consumers. The beef recall was not issued because of the safety of the meat, or because of what the cows may have consumed. The beef was recalled because the animals were mistreated by employees at the processing facility. This fact was not made clear in the media.
KC is just like you and I, he is a consumer who wants healthy food produced by American Farmers and Ranchers.
Please take a few moments to contact Kevin Coupe and thank him for supporting agriculture and tell him how you provide safe food for this country on your farm or ranch. Kevin can be reached via email at: kc@morningnewsbeat.com. Together, we can help Kevin hear the story of agriculture!