100% Grass Fed Products from small farmers in the Philippines who raise their livestock on pasture, as nature intended it to be.  (Read more: Where do we get our beef?)

DowntoEarth Grass-Fed Beef comes from the the native  Bali or Banteng and Chinese Yellow  Cattle  cross-bred with Nellore or Ongole and American  Brahman  cattle. The result of this cross breeding is a medium-framed, hardy animal, with notable physical strength. This breed is known for its ability to thrive under the harsh climatic, nutritional and sanitary conditions, frequently seen in Mindanao. Due to their hardiness and rustling ability, the native breed  surpasses all other breeds even under conditions of poor quality grass,  drought and areas with extreme rainfall. Calves are very strong, even standing up and suckling soon after they are born.

DowntoEarth livestock has been raised entirely on grass without any hormones or antibiotics. Try our Grass Fed products to see the distinct difference in taste!

Commercial beef (most beef you find in your supermarket) is not good for you.  This is because the modern cow, usually Holsteins, are raised using selective breeding to produce cows with abnormally active pituitary glands and by-high protein feeding.  The pituitary gland not only produces hormones that stimulate milk production, it also produces growth hormones.  The FDA has even approved a genetically engineered growth hormone for cows.  This practice will add to the high level of bovine growth hormones.  Small amounts of hormones are necessary, moderate are not harmful, but a superfluity can result in growth abnormalities.  Excessive pituitary hormones are also associated with tumor formation.  These cows are prone to many diseases are needs frequent doses of antibiotics. (from Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon.)

Why choose local and grass fed meat?  It is healthier, not just for you, but for the animal and the planet.  (Read more: Health Benefits of Grass Fed Beef.)

See Table Comparison on Grass Fed Beef vs. Grain Fed Beef.

DowntoEarth through its grass-fed beef desires to promote local, native and indigenous cattle breeds. By doing so, we are able to ensure not only optimum health benefits in the food we eat but socio-economic benefits for those who raise our cattle. (See: Farmers who raise our Grass Fed cattle.)

SOME BENEFITS

Support for Small Farmers

DowntoEarth Grass-Fed Beef is sourced from cattle that were raised by small farmers from remote areas  all over Mindanao.  Raising native cattle is economically viable for small farmers as they only need one or a few animals, with low capital for purchasing and maintenance.  The cattle is also raised in the pasture or fed only grass, lowering feed cost. By buying native cattle from these areas in Mindanao, we are able to play a role in ensuring food security and generating income for small farmers and agricultural laborers.  

Pasture-Raised, No Hormones or Antibiotics

The hardy native cattle have been bred and raised for use as draft animals in small farms. Because of this, they have been raised on pasture, fed grass and without the use of any antibiotics or growth hormones.

Heat and Insect Resistant

The native cattle is covered with loose skin and has sweat glands that are not only more but twice bigger than those of the European breeds.  The resulting low-level of metabolism contributes to heat resistance.  The native cattle  feeds less but often, generating less internal heat. It also  possesses natural resistance to various insects, as its skin has a dense texture, making it difficult for blood sucking insects to penetrate. This native breed  also have a well developed subcutaneous muscle layer which enables them to remove insects simply by shaking their coat.

Meat Quality

The beef from native  cattle is very lean but substantially  high  in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal growth and may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease, hypertension, arthritis, other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and cancer.  (Read more: Cooking Grass Fed Beef to perfection.)

WHY GRASS FED BEEF?

According to Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D. and Jo Robinson, authors of the authors  book The Omega Diet the grain-fed beef that we habitually buy from supermarkets is deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids but high in Omega-6 fatty acids.  Our usual diet is deficient in Omega-3s and overdosed with Omega-6s.  This imbalance is known to cause heart disease, cancer, Attention Deficit Syndrome, diabetes and other ailments. 

Grass-fed beef on the other hand can be a healthy alternative and is recommended by dietitians.  This is because grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef.  It also has the recommended ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 acids (2:1 or better.) Also, grass-fed beef is loaded with natural vitamins and minerals, a good source of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), fat that reduces the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and a number of immune disorders.  “Beef, in its natural grass-fed state, is a health food of the highest order.”  (Read more on Health Benefits.)

Taken in part from http://www.texasgrassfedbeef.com/grass_fed_beef.htm

Listen to Michael Pollan's (renowned author of Omnivore's Dilemma) radio interview from The Beyond Organic Show about Why Grass Fed Beef. Listen to the clip.