What is Non-GMO Beef: Benefits, Myths & Why It Matters

A key principle that drives regenerative farming is the idea that  “what you eat, eats”. When you buy from a farm that focuses on health and sustainability, you know the beef is from livestock raised on feed grown from naturally occurring plants with non-GMO seeds. Most grasses used in regenerative farming, including timothy, ryegrass, orchard grass and ladino clover, don’t even have GMO varieties. 

That’s a big difference when compared to the feed used by industrial operations. Cash grain crops such as corn and soy used in feedlots not only have GMO varieties, but farmers use them in the vast majority of operations.  These GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds are used to feed 95% of the animals used for food and dairy in the United States. 

That’s not happening at Acabonac Farms. Using non-GMO seed is one of many steps we take to ensure our grass-fed beef and other meat products from our local farm are safe and nutritious. 

If you want to avoid GM varieties, then 100% grass-fed beef is the way to go because the grasses used to feed the cattle don’t have GMO varieties, and they are never fed grain.

Key Takeaways

• Non-GMO seeds developed through natural breeding techniques — without the use of genetic engineering — are an important part of sustainable agriculture.
• By using plants grown from non-GMO seeds to feed cattle, regenerative farms support biodiversity, better health and a sustainable environment.
• Acabonac Farms provides some of the best non-GMO beef in the US.

What is Non-GMO Beef?

Non-GMO beef refers to beef from cattle that are raised on feed that does not contain GMOs. It’s the right choice for consumers who prefer natural products. Non-GMO beef comes from cattle who eat naturally grown plants. Acabonac Farms never feeds its cattle with anything grown from GMO seeds.

What Are Non-GMO Seeds?

Non-GMO seeds refer to seeds grown naturally, using traditional methods such as crossing plants with desirable traits over multiple generations. These seeds are not genetically altered — they grow as nature intended. Using non-GMO seeds is a natural approach that results in healthy plants and fresh crops.

In contrast, GMO seeds are engineered because large food companies want to modify plants to make them grow faster, stay tolerant to cold temperatures and resist disease.  For example, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), corn is the most commonly grown crop in the United States, and most of it is grown from GMO seeds. The majority of GMO corn is used to feed livestock. GMO corn is created to resist insect pests and tolerate herbicides, according to the FDA. A common GMO corn is Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces proteins that are toxic to certain insect pests but not to humans, pets, livestock or other animals.

However, over-reliance on GMO crops designed to tolerate specific herbicides can lead to  herbicide-resistant weeds. That, in turn, can lead to the use of more herbicides that kill everything (including the healthy biology in the soil) to suppress weeds, resulting in the need to use a tremendous amount of synthetic fertilizer and creating a nutrient deficient food.

Widespread cultivation of GMO crops also reduces biodiversity by favoring monocultures over diverse planting.

Key Ingredients in Non-GMO Cattle Feed

Non-GMO cattle feed at Acabonac Farms comes from natural grasses and clover that does not have a GMO variety. We also do not use alfalfa, one of the grasses that is frequently grown from GMO seeds. This keeps the process straightforward and provides customers reassurance in knowing the meat they buy from Acabonac Farms is GMO-free.

Other farms may use a variety of naturally grown plants. It’s important to find out the type of feed used because practices vary greatly by farm. The Non-GMO Project establishes standards for non-GMO beef and other meat products. They start by tracing animal feed to ensure that livestock receives a non-GMO diet. Any input to animal feed equal to 5% or more of the total feed ration is considered a major input. The organization considers corn, soy and alfalfa as “high-risk crops” because they are frequently grown from GMO seeds.

Benefits of Using Non-GMO Seeds for Cattle Feed

There is an ongoing debate about the use of GMO in the food industry. The FDA has found that plants grown from GMO seeds and used in crops to feed livestock (as well as directly used in food for people, such as cornstarch, corn oil, soybean oil and granulated sugar) are safe. However, concerns remain. The following looks at these issues in relation to how they impact cattle, the environment and consumers.

Non-GMO Benefits for Cattle

Raising cattle on a diet of grasses and natural vegetation leads to healthy animals, especially on farms that allow them to move freely across large pastures in addition to providing them a natural diet. Cattle raised in this way also provide a nutrient-rich meat that is high in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. 

As for the lives of the cattle, the FDA cites studies showing that the safety and health of animals are the same whether they eat food grown from GMO or non-GMO seeds.  However, most of the concerns about GMO seeds revolve more around the associated increase in the use of herbicides and pesticides.

Non-GMO Benefits for the Environment

One of the biggest issues is that crops grown from GMO seeds are resistant to herbicides and pesticides, allowing large industrial operations to increase yields by spraying higher amounts of chemicals that can harm the soil. According to studies cited by Harvard University, “the health effects of pesticides are still not well understood. Potential effects include cancer and damage to the nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems.” 

The impact of herbicides and pesticides on the surrounding environment is increasingly the focus on studies. For example, a recent study led by researchers at the Center for Biological Diversity found that pesticides pose a threat to organisms needed for healthy soil and biodiversity. 

Non-GMO Benefits for Consumers

All the benefits of non-GMO crops for the meat produced by grass-fed cattle, as well as the benefits to the environment, lead to better health for the people who eat non-GMO beef. Acabonac Farms, for example, uses no synthetic pesticides. Consumers have the peace of mind in knowing that their 100% grass-fed beef meat does not add potentially harmful chemicals to their food.

Herbicide-resistant GMO crops allow farmers to use glyphosate, the chemical used in Roundup, and the most widely used herbicide in the world. The World Health Organization has found it is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Harvard also cites studies that associate glyphosate with DNA damage.

Buying non-GMO beef means supporting farms that are committed to using agricultural methods that preserve the environment and result in healthier products for people’s dinner tables. That’s important because consumers play a key part in this issue. As noted by the non-GMO project, “Because of the massive scale of GMO commodity crop acreage, increasing the demand for non-GMO feed is the strongest leverage point to move the needle.”  

Common Myths about Non-GMO Seeds in Beef Production

One of the common myths about non-GMO feed is that it's not necessarily more expensive in the long run. That’s not the case. Farms that use non-GMO seed know going in that they will pay a premium to do so. But it’s worth it to make an investment in the health of the food they produce and a more sustainable environment.

Another myth is that using non-GMO seed automatically results in healthier livestock and more nutritious food for consumers. However, that is not the case. Using non-GMO feed is just  one piece of the regenerative farming puzzle. Acabonac Farms, for example, never uses antibiotics, hormones or growth promotants on its livestock. Cattle at Acabonac Farms eat local grasses and vegetation as they are rotated regularly to different fields. Also, Acabonac Farms does not use synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. It takes this combination of practices to raise healthy animals and produce high-quality meat products.

Another common myth is that non-GMO is the same as organic. The two are separate. A non-GMO seed may be organic, but only if the plant or tree is grown to USDA organic standards. The key to remember is that non-GMO seeds are naturally grown, not engineered in a lab. 

Is Non-GMO Beef Better?

Yes. For those concerned with the quality of the food they eat and feed to their families, non-GMO is the right choice. 

Concerns linger about the long-term impact of using GMO seeds. In some cases, allergic reactions have been reported by those with, for example, a nut allergy who eat food grown from a seed that uses genes from a nut combined with soybean, according to Medical New Today. The website also noted that while the American Cancer Society reports no connection between GMO seeds and cancer, it could take several more years before a clear trend emerges. 

Whether ongoing research does or does not find any issues with eating GMO seeds, eating non-GMO beef provides people with the peace of mind in knowing their food is natural and healthy.

Where to Buy Fresh Non-GMO Beef Online and Locally

For customers who want high-quality, ethical and sustainable beef products, Acabonac Farms offers the best choice. We’re committed to regenerative farming, including the use of non-GMO seeds. Our cattle are pastured-raised and eat only natural grasses. The result is healthy beef with a better flavor profile than other grain-fed beef from large, industrial operations that also use GMO seeds.

We’ve made ordering from us easy and convenient through our online meat storel. You can buy non-GMO beef online and have it delivered to you wherever you live. Those living in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey can purchase our products locally, with pickup options in Middle Island, N.Y. 

Order from Acabonac Farms and you will have the peace of mind in knowing your food contains nothing but natural ingredients. You’ll also taste the difference!