The Bonsmara cattle Breed

The Bonsmara breed was first developed between 1937 – 1963, specifically for optimal adaptation to South Africa’s climate. Bonsmara very quickly became an internationally recognised beef cattle breed and the only breed in the world created through a well documented cross breeding programme. The name was derived from the pioneer breeder; Prof Bonsma’s surname and Mara research station, where the first crossbred claves were born. The crossbreed was 5/8 Afrikaner and 3/8 Exotic Hereford/Shorthorn. The Bonsmara breed today upholds its stature as one of the most prominent cattle breeds spread widely across Africa, South America, North America and Australia.

One of the biggest contributions to the breeds success is the animal’s good temperament and exceptional adaptation to hardy climatic conditions across Africa – making the animals easy to farm with. The breed is known to deliver high dressing percentages, even fat deposition, marbling and excellent muscle to bone ratio.

For more information visit the Bonsmara SA Cattle Breeders’ Society webpage

http://bonsmara.co.za/eng/

Why Grass-Fed, Freerange Beef

Humankind have been eating meat since the beginning of time and our digestive systems are designed to metabolise protein. Red meat is an excellent source of essential nutrients including complete protein, vitamin B-12, omega-3 fats, iron, zinc and niacin – all required for healthy bodily functions.

We know that this source of protein plays a vital role in our nutrition – but what impact does the type of farming practice or production system have on the end-product and ultimately on our health? This remains open to debate; however, we can offer to shed a little light on the different approaches and practices. We strongly believe that educating people about their food choices ultimately empowers consumers with the freedom to select the kind of meat they wish to include in their diets.

Feedlot cattle generally spend a few weeks in overcrowded pens, where they are fattened up or ‘finished’ on a diet of maize and other grains. Cows are ruminants, designed to eat grass- hence overeating on grain wreaks havoc with their digestive systems. The cattle are often administered growth stimulants to accelerate the rate of weight gain. Confined living conditions may require that they receive regular antibiotic treatment to mitigate breakout of disease. The carbon footprint of feedlot production may be much higher than a grass fed, freerange system due to the fossil fuels consumed to till, seed and harvest vast quantities of grain. There is also a fossil fuel component in the production and distribution of fertiliser for grain growing, and of course transporting the grain to the feedlots.

Freerange beef comes from cattle which have been allowed to roam freely, they eat grass as part of their diet and are not given routine antibiotics, steroids or growth hormones. Freerange animals' diet may be supplemented with grain – this means the animals gain weight faster and the additional, energy rich feed manifests in meat with more marbling. Since cattle are ruminants, grain feed can cause issues with the animals' stomachs and digestive systems. Certified GRASS FED animals follow a strict grass/veld only diet...in other words, their natural diet.

At FreedomVeld, we are driven to produce ethically reared, wholesome produce alongside nature. Ensuring environmental sustainability, is non-negotiable for us. Our veld reared cattle follow rotational grazing, allowing plenty of time for regeneration of pastures and veld. Quoting the holistic veld management pioneer, Allan Savory – grazing our cattle and game in such a way that they “mimic nature” is essential for restoring and maintaining grasslands. Holistic veld management follows the principle that a large herd of well managed herbivores grazing, dunging, urinating on a piece of land and then moving on promotes healthy soils and vegetation. In effect, this cycle acts to store carbon in the soil.

Our grass fed animals are grazed for 3-5 years before entering the meat supply chain. Grass fed or veld reared meat has shown to have significant health benefits; producing meat with lower total fat content but with more omega-3 fatty acids as well as more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Swimming Upstream

More and more, we see lifestyle habits leaning towards health and wellness, but before we can make the right choices for our bodies – we need to be informed, we need to be educated about where our food comes from, how it was planted, reared, harvested, processed, packaged. We too often bury our heads in the sand rather than take an interest in the ‘industrial’ food chain – choosing to remain ignorant of the less than glamorous details.

For a long time, we lost sight of the humble farming practice as we got sucked into a system of mass production, economies of scale and processed goods. Inevitably, we were bound to pay the consequences and all too soon we could no longer turn a blind eye to toll our bodies were paying [Enter the rise in obesity and chronic disease].

The message is simple – let’s go back to what is Natural

1. nat|ural

[ˈnatʃ(ə)r(ə)l]

ADJECTIVE

   existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind
   

   having had a minimum of processing or preservative treatment

Easier said than done, we hear you say, and we'd have to agree. Our increasingly fast-paced, busy lifestyles dictate a demand for affordable, convenience goods. Ironically, going back to basics requires going out of our way a little, challenging the status quo and often digging deeper into our pockets. We all, in theory, subscribe to a healthy way of living and eating. No doubt you have posted that INSTA pic of your courgetti with lean freerange mince, choosing the perfect filter to catch the glow of parmesan garnish #consciousliving #healthyhappylife #vitality. Yet chances are tomorrow you are back to purchasing those frozen chicken schnitzels for an affordable, fast, easy Tuesday night dinner.

The struggle is real!

The thing that drives us to continue swimming upstream and change the way we produce and consume food is quite simple, it’s the thought of the alternative; do nothing but continue to consciously make choices that knowingly destroy our ecosystem – the ecosystem which includes you, the environment and our future food security.

At FreedomVeld we are committed to educating consumers about their food choices, providing them with alternatives and giving them the freedom to select the kind of meat they wish to include in their diets. Hopefully over time, consumers purchasing power in the fresh meat category will change, and so too will the demand for ethically reared, freerange, grass fed beef, and with this, supply and convenience will grow – until this food producing practice become the industry standard, rather than the exception.