Thanks for help with nutrition - follow up questions - Free Range

[Guest guest]

I thought this article a wrote a while back might help with some of

your questions. There was a lot a left out because of space

limitations, but it does include an interview with farmers at my

local, former CSA.

 

--Allison

 

A Look at Free–Range,

Organic Animal Protein

By Allison Geiger, M.A., M.Ed.

 

" Free-range, " " grass-fed, " " organic " — these are terms used to

describe the way some animal products are produced. But, what do they

mean, and how do they differ from their conventional counterparts? The

USDA defines free-range chickens as those " allowed access to the

outside " 1; for cattle and sheep, they must " never be confined to a

feedlot " 2; and pigs need " continuous access to pasture for at least

80% of their production cycle. " 2 For use of the organic label,

animals " must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors., "

with no requirement for how much access.3 Grass-fed ruminants are

those fed grass as " 80% or more of the primary energy source

throughout the animal's life cycle. " 4

It is important to note that most of the items sold as " free-range "

are not truly free-range. The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP)

admits, " There are no restrictions in this final rule on use of

[labeling claims] such as . . . `free range.' " 5 Worse yet, there are

no requirements for free-range chicken products.2 Many so-called

operations have a small enclosure attached to a giant, crowded shed.6

Financial issues are the same as conventional products with respect to

the male chicks: They don't lay eggs, so they are disposed of, and the

egg-laying hens are considered spent after just two years instead of

at the end of their natural lives (about 10 years).6

Broiler chickens, used for their flesh, are often living in the same

conditions as the egg-layers, with no required time outside. The USDA

label only requires that there be access, but nothing says it has to

be feasible for all of the chickens to use it.1,2,4 Because the

conditions are so similar, there is no discernible difference in

Salmonella levels between free-range, organically produced poultry and

conventionally produced birds.7

Free-range pigs, cows, and sheep only require that they have access

to grass to eat, often as part of a grain-fed diet, and that they are

on a range, which could be - and very likely is - over crowded.8

Since the USDA took over the labeling of all things organic, the

label is often given without inspection to guarantee compliance. For

example, popular " organic " brands of dairy products like those offered

by Horizon Organic and Aurora Organic, (Costco, Safeway, Giant, and

Wild Oats labels) purchase their milk from feedlot cows who have

little or no access to pasture. The Organic Consumers Association has

called for a boycott of their products, and Cornucopia, an

organization promoting family farms, is suing the USDA for allowing

them to use the organic label.9,10

To investigate free-range more in depth, I turned to a small,

community-supported agriculture operation (CSA), a place where area

consumers buy shares of produce for the harvesting season. This

particular farm, Pennypack Farm, added chickens - layers for their

eggs and broilers for their flesh - just this past spring. In small,

local operations such as this, the animals are outside most of the

time as opposed to the mega-free-range operations outlined above where

the shed-kept animals are given a small, outside enclosure.

At Pennypack 100 birds are kept in a 20 by 30 foot yard, which is

regularly moved to different locations on the farm. The birds are

given feed according to a set schedule, and their grain-based diet is

supplemented with extra vegetables from the farm.

One of the purposes of a CSA is to localize food production, and

environmentally-conscious consumers support this model as a way to

reduce food miles (the distance their food has to travel to reach

their plates), enjoy fresher foods, support farmers with a fair wage,

and support a farm with a variety of crops as opposed to a giant

monoculture farm producing mass-quantities of one item.

While the food miles for the vegetables are minimized, the feed for

the chickens, both broilers and egg-layers, is not. Their feed, while

comprised of various organic grains as well as vitamins and crab meal

(not a vegetarian product), is purchased at a supply store. When

asked what it would take to produce the feed onsite, one farmer

replied, " We would need to do some intensification in order to grow

the feed on site " -large patches of monocropped grains. The farmers

admitted that the intensification is happening elsewhere in order to

feed these birds.11

It seems the only environmental advantage in having a small number of

chickens raised on local farms producing vegetables is that the manure

is able to be spread on the farm so it doesn't pollute waterways,

etc., as is the case with giant animal agribusinesses, known for their

dangerous manure lagoons. In addition, other products from animals,

including blood, bonemeal, and fishmeal may be used in organic

production.

A common misconception is that animal manure is needed to fertilize

crop lands; this is not the case. While animal manure can be less

polluting when spread over the land and worked into the soil, it is

not needed, as more is taken from the land than the land would ever

receive back from the manure anyway (see above about off-site

intensification and inefficiencies of producing animal products for

food). Veganic agriculture uses no animal products, instead using

green manure produced from plants such as clover and compost remains

the best way to fertilize soil. Huguenot Street Farm, a veganic CSA in

New Paltz, NY, explains on their website, " [Animal manure] is nothing

more than the grass or grains that are growing on the farm, cycled

through [an animal's] digestive system. . . . Veganic Agriculture . .

.. couldn't be simpler. Really, we are just `cutting out the middle

man.' The middle man, in this case, is the cow, chicken, horse, pig or

whatever. What is their manure made from anyway but plant materials?

There is no `magic' that goes on inside the animal that makes their

manure better for the soil or plants than if we used the base

material. " Vegetable-based amendments, called `green manures' on the

other hand ENCOURAGE microbial activity. Their carbon-to-nitrogen

ratios are much more in balance. . . . [The] net increase in overall

organic matter can be several times greater when a farmer uses green

manures instead of animal manures. We have the soil tests to prove

it! " 15

The land and water usage for free-range animals is no less than

conventionally-produced animals, which are an inefficient use of

agricultural land that could produce more food if feeding humans

directly with the plant-based crops instead of wasting energy to

support intentionally-produced animals. In fact, the free range

animals, because they actually roam, require more energy input to

produce the same amount of flesh than their conventional

counterparts.12

While the chickens are being moved from patch to patch of land,

native species of birds and other wildlife are crowded out. As one

Vermont chicken farmer notes, the manure-laden areas are basically

barren until they are able to recuperate.13

In addition to threatening diversity with their competition for

resources, domesticated animals spread diseases to the wildlife, and

in some cases, humans. For example, chickens spread mycoplasmal

conjunctivitis to wild song birds.14 Domesticated animals always come

with baggage.

Many turn to organic and free-range animal products as a healthier

(or less health-damaging) food product. The true organic operations

(see above for information about label enforcement issues) don't use

routine antibiotics or hormone injections, which means less chemicals

in the end products. The access to more space and vegetables instead

of just grain-based feed results in something a bit leaner.

Is leaner better? A previous Club Veg newsletter reviewed Dr. T Colin

Campbell's The China Study. Our limited newsletter space could barely

scratch the surface of the bounty of information Dr. Campbell

presents. One of the most significant pieces of information I read was

how the standards for fat recommendations given by our government came

about.

No one thought for a second that animal protein could be a source of

health problems. The government wanted to make sure that everyone was

getting protein, and lots of it. When faced with a health crisis from

diets laden with animal products, those composing the health

recommendations for the 1982 National Academy of Science report

focusing on diet and cancer focused on individual nutrients,

particularly saturated fat since that was what was primarily found in

the conventionally-produced animal products, and that wasn't found in

the bulk of the health-promoting plant foods. So, fat levels,

especially saturated fat levels, were targeted. Hence, when people

switch to lower-fat products like chicken instead of beef, they end up

with higher amounts of animal protein bite-for-bite.16 Dr. Campbell's

research found that that the entire animal product as a whole causes

health problems.16 His research found a direct, positive correlation

between animal protein consumption and diseases, especially cancer;

when consumption of one goes up, more of the other is seen.17 The

minimal disease rates observed in The China Study examined people

eating not only mostly plant foods, but also not eating processed and

refined foods. Refined products like white flour and sugar are

damaging to health, as well. A healthy diet reduces or eliminates both

animal products and processed/refined foods, and focuses on

health-promoting whole plant foods.

To reduce disease rates, minimize use of resources, produce more food

locally, and avoid the pitfalls of free-range items, move toward

replacing animal products, even those that are " free-range " and

" organic " with whole plant foods, ideally organically grown. It takes

many less resources, and causes far less pollution, to produce a

plant-based diet, rather than one that is animal based.

References

" Meat and Poultry Labeling Terms, " FSIS, USDA

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/lablterm.htm

" United States Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims, "

AMS, USDA, http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/stand/ls0202.txt

" Organic Farming, " USDA,

http://www.usda.gov/documents/ORGANIC_FARMING.pdf

" Final Report for the FSMIP: Consumer Demand for Source Verification

Labels, " USDA, http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/FSMIP/FY2002/CO0353.pdf

" Labeling and Marketing Information, " NOP,

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/FactSheets/LabelingE.html

" How Free Is `Free-Rage'? " , CoK http://www.cok.net/lit/freerange.php

" Free-Range Chicken—No Guarantee It's Free of Salmonella, " USDA,

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/040920.htm

" Certified Organic Livestock and Pasture, "

USDAhttp://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib780/aib780i.pdf

" OCA Boycott of Bogus Organic Milk Brands, "

http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_923.cfm

" Organic Watchdog Sues USDA, " Cornucopia Institute,

http://cornucopia.org/index.php/112

Interview with farmers at Pennypack Farm, June 8, 2006.

Lee, Andy, " What Is Pastured Poultry? " ,

http://www.lionsgrip.com/pastured.html

> " Fencing or Free Range, " http://gatewaytovermont.com/thefarm/coop.htm

> " Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis in Wild Songbirds, " CDC,

>http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol3no1/fischer2.htm

> " What Is Veganic? " , Huguenot Street Farm,

>http://www.flyingbeet.com/veganic.html

>Campbell TC and Campbell TM, The China Study, 2004, p 270-288.

>Ibid, p 51-60.

 

, " hilbro " <hilbro wrote:

> One more question (for now) - Chandelle mentioned the hormones in

> milk being terrible, which I was aware of, but it sounded like even

> organic free-range has these hormones? Did I understand this right?

> And doesn't free-range have to be free-range? I know there are lots

> of sneaky tricks out there with labeling, so I really would love to

> know what you've learned about this.

>

> Ok, a second question - so not all Eggs contain Omega-3's? I never

> thought to think that only certain eggs would and were labeled so

> (thought they just slapped that Omega 3 label on some of the brands

> to make it stand out and sound better for you).

>

> Thanks again, and have a wonderful day,

> Hilary

>

[Guest guest]

All of this information is great. I want to say, though, that it seems like

some on this board

are lacto-ovo veg, although many are vegan. I think it is great for people who

are lacto-ovo

veg to know what their better (although maybe not ideal) options are for eggs

and dairy,

rather than just getting the standard factory farmed variety. I think this is

especially true for

new vegetarians who are just transitioning. If diet and lifestyle changes are

too harsh and

abrubt, sometimes people end up just giving up and not making any changes at

all. I think

we need to be supportive of people who are going through this, especially if

entire families

are not on fully on board. Many vegans (that I know, anyway) were veg for a

number of years

before they went vegan.

 

A great book I often give to people who are interested in moving towards a

vegetarian diet is

called " Transition to Vegetarianism, an Evolutionary Step " by Rudolph

Ballentine, MD. It can

really make the transition less harsh and painful for some people, thus

enhancing the

chances for a lifelong change.

 

Just my feelings,

Karen

[Guest guest]

Right. I'm lacto-ovo vegetarian right now, though we do consume very, very

little dairy and eggs. I've been a vegetarian for over ten years now, and I feel

so very lucky to have a supportive husband. We have talked several times about

going vegan, but he is still not completely vegetarian yet and I don't feel like

I'll be able to make the switch while we go on having boxes of mac & cheese in

the cabinet and things like that (by the way, we got some Annie's shells and

aged Wisconsin cheddar, which I am going to try today). So as soon as he is

completely vegetarian we will gradually start replacing things, eliminating

dairy or egg products, and eventually become vegan. My ultimate goal is to

completely get rid of all processed foods except things like bread and

cornbread, pasta, etc. More raw fruits and vegetables. More plain cooked grains,

more water, and less salt and other seasonings, less sugar, less processed crap,

pretty much! But that is a ways off. At the moment I

wish I could pass the wonderful smell of the stew I'm cooking through the

e-mail to all of you. You would all have growling tummies like I do! It won't be

ready to eat till tonight and I'm soooo ready to eat it now!!!! I'm going to go

make that Annie's pasta. And probably a salad since I just got new spinach...

I'm so glad that e.coli thing is over.

 

" k.beauford " <karen wrote: All

of this information is great. I want to say, though, that it seems like some on

this board

are lacto-ovo veg, although many are vegan. I think it is great for people who

are lacto-ovo

veg to know what their better (although maybe not ideal) options are for eggs

and dairy,

rather than just getting the standard factory farmed variety. I think this is

especially true for

new vegetarians who are just transitioning. If diet and lifestyle changes are

too harsh and

abrubt, sometimes people end up just giving up and not making any changes at

all. I think

we need to be supportive of people who are going through this, especially if

entire families

are not on fully on board. Many vegans (that I know, anyway) were veg for a

number of years

before they went vegan.

 

A great book I often give to people who are interested in moving towards a

vegetarian diet is

called " Transition to Vegetarianism, an Evolutionary Step " by Rudolph

Ballentine, MD. It can

really make the transition less harsh and painful for some people, thus

enhancing the

chances for a lifelong change.

 

Just my feelings,

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kadee Sedtal

 

Build a man a fire and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll

stay warm the rest of his life.

 

" THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!! " -Captain Picard, Next Generation, " Chain of Command

part 2 "

 

Check out my new , Classical 2 at

http://launch.classical2/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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