WHY GREENWOOD FARMS BEEF IS SAFE FROM "MAD COW DISEASE"

In light of recent concerns about Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE or Mad Cow Disease) in American beef cattle, we would like to tell you why Greenwood Farms Beef is much, much safer than the beef you’ll find in supermarkets these days:

The Facts on BSE: Strong evidence currently available supports the theory that the agent is composed of a self-replicating protein, referred to as a prion. It is transmitted through the consumption of BSE-contaminated meat and bone meal supplements in cattle feed. The process that leads to the contaminated feed starts when livestock already harboring the BSE agent are slaughtered. After cows and sheep are killed, the edible parts are removed. The inedible remnants are taken to a special plant, where they undergo a process called "rendering." Although the animal remnants are "cooked" at high temperatures during the rendering process, the BSE agent, if present, is able to survive. When this contaminated feed is given to cattle as a protein supplement, the BSE agent can be passed on to many new cattle. It is believed that this is how BSE was spread through the British cattle herds.

In 1997 the United States Food and Drug administration banned the practice of incorporating most mammalian protein in animal feed for cows, sheep, and goats. However, animal feed can still contain material from cats, dogs, and mink carcasses (after their fur has been removed). All of these animals are capable of being infected by transmissible sponigfrom encephalopathies (T.S.E.s) and can pass the disease to cattle via contaminated feed.

Why Greenwood Farms Beef is Safer: Because Greenwood Farms Beef is raised entirely on GRASS and natural hay, our beef cattle never come in contact with the commercial grain and supplements that incubate BSE. Because our pastures are not polluted with chemicals, pesticides, etc., the only food our cattle eat is 100% natural, clean, healthy grass. When our cattle go to market, we take them ourselves to an inspected facility where they are processed the same day. At no time are they exposed to the health dangers that exist in crowded commercial feed lots. This means our meat is hundreds of times safer for you and your family than commercial, grain-fed beef.

So we encourage you, during this time of uncertainty in the commercial beef market, to consider purchasing grassfed beef, whether from Greenwood Farms or a grassfed producer near you (see www.eatwild.com for a complete listing of grassfed cattle in the USA). It’s the best way to enjoy the flavor of beef without the risk!