Comments on: How to Shop for Steak http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/ From farm to table, and all the stops along the way. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:35:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: jen maiser http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-32 Fri, 17 Feb 2006 07:54:58 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-32 Derrick - Thanks for pointing out the dry-age. As far as I know, Prather Ranch may be the only company locally that does that. <br /> <br /> It's always such a fine line about whether to point out the differences between these companies, as I don't want people to get discouraged and give up!<br /> <br /> Derrick - Thanks for pointing out the dry-age. As far as I know, Prather Ranch may be the only company locally that does that.

It’s always such a fine line about whether to point out the differences between these companies, as I don’t want people to get discouraged and give up!

]]> by: Barbara Fisher http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-31 Fri, 17 Feb 2006 06:50:23 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-31 There is always Laura's Lean Beef--it is both grass and grain-fed but raised with no hormones or antibiotics: http://www.laurasleanbeef.com/<br /> <br /> The advantage to Laura's is that it is available in grocery stores, and having had it a few times--it tastes better than conventional grocery store fare.<br /> <br /> That said--I will stick with the farmers at Bluescreek in Columbus. They do dry age for a full thirty days and it shows. Now, Zak and I will not bother going out to a steakhouse, because we can get beef that is just as good, and since I know how to cook a steak--well, we have no need to spend huge amounts of money for the beef experience anymore. <br /> <br /> Glad you could use that article, Derrick--I saw it and thought of you right away. There is always Laura’s Lean Beef–it is both grass and grain-fed but raised with no hormones or antibiotics: http://www.laurasleanbeef.com/

The advantage to Laura’s is that it is available in grocery stores, and having had it a few times–it tastes better than conventional grocery store fare.

That said–I will stick with the farmers at Bluescreek in Columbus. They do dry age for a full thirty days and it shows. Now, Zak and I will not bother going out to a steakhouse, because we can get beef that is just as good, and since I know how to cook a steak–well, we have no need to spend huge amounts of money for the beef experience anymore.

Glad you could use that article, Derrick–I saw it and thought of you right away.

]]> by: Derrick Schneider http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-30 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 11:40:08 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-30 Jen,<br /> <br /> Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know they weren't organic, though I knew they weren't grass-fed (at least not totally).<br /> <br /> The other advantage to Prather Ranch is that they dry-age their beef for a full thirty days. Do you know if any of the others do that? Jen,

Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t know they weren’t organic, though I knew they weren’t grass-fed (at least not totally).

The other advantage to Prather Ranch is that they dry-age their beef for a full thirty days. Do you know if any of the others do that?

]]> by: jen maiser http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-29 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 10:52:31 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/02/15/how_to_shop_for_steak/#comment-29 While I respect Niman Ranch for being a nationally recognized brand and doing more for getting "natural" beef to the masses than probably any other company, it should be noted that Niman Ranch beef is feedlot finished, and is not organic. It is not technically "grass-fed" because, while grown on pasture for the first 14 to 18 months, it is fed "a diet of barley, corn, wheat, soy, molasses and hay" for flavor after a weight of 900 pounds.<br /> <br /> I point this out because people often associate Niman Ranch beef with organic and with grass-fed beef, but it is neither. <br /> <br /> Prather Ranch is organic and grass-fed. Also, locally, Highland Hills beef is grass-fed, as well as Marin Sun Farms. <br /> <br /> If you are interested in reading more about Niman Ranch's beef, a good place to start is their beef protocols statement (pdf).<br /> <br /> While I respect Niman Ranch for being a nationally recognized brand and doing more for getting “natural” beef to the masses than probably any other company, it should be noted that Niman Ranch beef is feedlot finished, and is not organic. It is not technically “grass-fed” because, while grown on pasture for the first 14 to 18 months, it is fed “a diet of barley, corn, wheat, soy, molasses and hay” for flavor after a weight of 900 pounds.

I point this out because people often associate Niman Ranch beef with organic and with grass-fed beef, but it is neither.

Prather Ranch is organic and grass-fed. Also, locally, Highland Hills beef is grass-fed, as well as Marin Sun Farms.

If you are interested in reading more about Niman Ranch’s beef, a good place to start is their beef protocols statement (pdf).

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