It's pretty well known that small family farms struggle to survive. The profit margin is often small, and many young people prefer to head for urban areas for an easier life. As more land has been consolidated by huge corporations and more cattle readied for market in feedlots, the situation has become more dire. However, the direct marketing of a product factory farms cannot provide has turned a profit for many a grass fed beef farm.
To be successful, every entrepreneur needs to think outside the box that tradition built and to find a product that will rise above competitors. When small landowners found that competition from giant corporate farms was threatening their survival, they needed to find a way to change the way they did business. Some very smart people are farmers, and many of them are happy to share good ideas that have made them profitable.
As a product that both research and marketing has convinced people is healthier, grass-fed beef can command a higher price. Many consumers feel that cattle raised in a natural way - on pasture - will give higher-quality meat. They also prefer free-range eggs and organic produce. Consider the popularity of Farmers' Markets across the nation, and you will see the market niche these rural businessmen have found.
Science is on the side of more natural ways of raising animals and other foods. Most people believe local produce, especially if it is grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is healthier than fruits and vegetables that may have been shipped across the country and that may contain chemical residues.
Research has shown that cattle raised on lush pasture and never fed grain actually have essential fatty acids in their meat that feedlot steers do not have. One such nutrient, which is known by the initials CLA, helps the human body break down saturated fats found in red meat. Today, with the concerns over genetically-modified grains that are used for animal feed, people are even more interested in meat raised on pasture.
For the farmer with acreage, the cost of raising cattle on pasture is less than feeding hay and grain. Many farmers who used to buy seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides in order to raise corn, wheat, and soybeans now concentrate on promoting the health of their pastureland. Grasses do not rob the soil of nutrients as crops like corn do; many of them, such as clover and alfalfa, actually improve the soil while they grow.
It takes more land and time to raise cattle naturally, and those who run feedlots are focused on getting large numbers of animals to market in as short a time as possible. For this reason, the grass-fed cow and pastured poultry growers do not have to compete as they did before. Raising consumer awareness of the differences in method and product keeps the market for natural meats growing.
Of course, some grass fed beef farms have gone national. One Colorado family markets its meat to several national grocery chains. Many gourmet restaurants now feature this premium meat on the menu. And another thing to consider: if you have a farmer like this in your area, you might be able to buy direct, taking the meat from the farm straight to your freezer.
To be successful, every entrepreneur needs to think outside the box that tradition built and to find a product that will rise above competitors. When small landowners found that competition from giant corporate farms was threatening their survival, they needed to find a way to change the way they did business. Some very smart people are farmers, and many of them are happy to share good ideas that have made them profitable.
As a product that both research and marketing has convinced people is healthier, grass-fed beef can command a higher price. Many consumers feel that cattle raised in a natural way - on pasture - will give higher-quality meat. They also prefer free-range eggs and organic produce. Consider the popularity of Farmers' Markets across the nation, and you will see the market niche these rural businessmen have found.
Science is on the side of more natural ways of raising animals and other foods. Most people believe local produce, especially if it is grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is healthier than fruits and vegetables that may have been shipped across the country and that may contain chemical residues.
Research has shown that cattle raised on lush pasture and never fed grain actually have essential fatty acids in their meat that feedlot steers do not have. One such nutrient, which is known by the initials CLA, helps the human body break down saturated fats found in red meat. Today, with the concerns over genetically-modified grains that are used for animal feed, people are even more interested in meat raised on pasture.
For the farmer with acreage, the cost of raising cattle on pasture is less than feeding hay and grain. Many farmers who used to buy seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides in order to raise corn, wheat, and soybeans now concentrate on promoting the health of their pastureland. Grasses do not rob the soil of nutrients as crops like corn do; many of them, such as clover and alfalfa, actually improve the soil while they grow.
It takes more land and time to raise cattle naturally, and those who run feedlots are focused on getting large numbers of animals to market in as short a time as possible. For this reason, the grass-fed cow and pastured poultry growers do not have to compete as they did before. Raising consumer awareness of the differences in method and product keeps the market for natural meats growing.
Of course, some grass fed beef farms have gone national. One Colorado family markets its meat to several national grocery chains. Many gourmet restaurants now feature this premium meat on the menu. And another thing to consider: if you have a farmer like this in your area, you might be able to buy direct, taking the meat from the farm straight to your freezer.
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When you want to find information about a top quality grass fed beef farm, visit the web pages at www.boeckmannfamilyfarmllc.com today. You can see details at http://www.boeckmannfamilyfarmllc.com now.
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