Ever wondered about the hidden risks that come with herbicides used in commercial farming? These chemicals, while effective for weed control and crop drying, can have serious implications for our environment and health. Herbicides can contaminate water sources, degrade soil quality, and harm beneficial insects and wildlife. For consumers, the residues left on food can pose long-term health risks.
At Acabonac Farms, we reject these harmful practices. Instead, we proudly offer 100% grass-fed beef and other meats from our herbicide-free farm. It’s all part of our commitment to sustainable farm practices that work in harmony with our environment, rather than destroying or completely changing it.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of what exactly herbicides are, the reasons why herbicides are used on so many large-scale commercial farms, the potential health and environmental impacts of using herbicides and where you can buy herbicide-free meat online.
Key Takeaways
- Commercial agriculture operations use herbicides for a variety of uses, including weed control and desiccation of crops. The bottom line is that herbicides can save them money and lead to a higher crop yield.
- There are multiple potential negative impacts of herbicides on the environment and human health. They include reducing soil health, water contamination and biodiversity loss.
- Buying grass-fed beef and other meats from herbicide-free farms like Acabonac Farms means you're choosing high-quality, sustainably raised products that are better for your health and the environment.
What are Herbicides?
Herbicides are chemical substances used to control or eliminate unwanted plants. Herbicides work by targeting specific biological processes within plants. There are several types of herbicides, including selective herbicides, which target specific types of plants while leaving others unharmed, and non-selective herbicides, which kill all plant material they come into contact with.
The first herbicide was developed in France in 1896, but production increased rapidly in the United States during World War II. The use of herbicides has been controversial almost as long as they have been used. One of the most infamous cases involves the military’s use of a herbicide known as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War to defoliate inland hardwood forests and coastal mangroves. Soldiers in the war ended up diagnosed with health problems related to the chemical. In other cases, researchers have associated health problems with exposure to herbicides, including among production workers in chemical plants and agricultural workers.
In modern agriculture, herbicide application happens most frequently in row-crop farming, where they are applied to maximize crop productivity by minimizing the presence of other vegetation. The most commonly used herbicides include glyphosate (which is used in the weedkiller Roundup), imazethapyr and thifensulfuron.
Reasons Why Farmers Use Herbicides
Farmers use herbicides primarily to control unwanted weeds. Eliminating unwanted vegetation can significantly increase crop yields because crops have to compete with weeds and other vegetation for nutrients, water and sunlight.
In some cases, particularly severe weed infestations, yields can be doubled or even tripled with effective herbicide application. In Africa, studies have found that season-long weed competition causes maize yield losses of 50% to 90%.
Herbicides also can help commercial farm operations reduce the labor costs associated with manual weed removal and mechanical cultivation.
The Impact of Herbicides on the Environment and Human Health
Herbicides can pose significant risks to both human health and the environment. Here are some key concerns.
Environmental Concerns of Using Herbicides
Water contamination. Herbicides can run off into water bodies, contaminating drinking water sources and harming aquatic life, according to the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). This contamination can lead to disruptions in aquatic ecosystems and affect biodiversity.
Soil health. Herbicides can adversely affect soil microorganisms essential for nutrient cycling and soil fertility, according to the IFM. This can lead to long-term soil degradation and reduced agricultural productivity.
Biodiversity loss. Widespread use of herbicides can reduce plant diversity, which in turn affects the animals and insects that depend on those plants. This loss of biodiversity can disrupt entire ecosystems, according to a study conducted by an international group of scientists.
Herbicide resistance. In some cases, overuse of herbicides has led to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weed species. These resistant weeds require the use of more toxic chemicals or higher doses, exacerbating environmental and health risks, according to the same study.
Health Implications of Using Herbicides
Toxicity and cancer risk. Certain herbicides, like glyphosate, have been linked to cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," citing evidence from studies showing associations with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other cancers. Long-term exposure can also lead to liver and kidney damage, according to the IFM.
Endocrine disruption. Herbicides such as glyphosate can disrupt endocrine systems, potentially leading to reproductive and developmental issues, according to the IFM. These disruptions can affect hormone balance and are linked to various health problems, including birth defects and metabolic disorders.
Neurological effects. Organophosphate herbicides can affect the nervous system. Exposure to these chemicals has been associated with cognitive deficits and increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases, according to studies.
Acute toxicity. Short-term exposure to certain herbicides and pesticides may cause immediate health effects, such as skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems and poisoning if ingested or inhaled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Acabonac Farms: A Model for Sustainable Farming Without Herbicides
Acabonac Farms is best known for producing grass-fed, pasture-raised beef, chicken, pork and lamb that comes from livestock that eat natural grasses and vegetation. They are never given growth-promoting hormones. This commitment to healthy, high-quality products is just one aspect of the operation.
Acabonac Farms also practices regenerative farming. As part of this practice, Acabonac Farms does not use synthetic fertilizers or chemical herbicides and pesticides.
Regenerative Farming
In addition to not using synthetic fertilizers and chemical herbicides and pesticides, Acabonac Farms also practices non-tillage farming, a technique that minimizes soil disturbance when planting crops. This approach helps build and maintain healthy soil, protecting it from erosion, high temperatures and moisture loss. Planting natural grasses and legumes also helps maintain soil health, as opposed to plowing a field and planting a non-indigenous crop.
This commitment to providing healthy products raised in a sustainable environment stems from Acabonac Farms’ belief in the importance of nutritious food as well as the need to maintain biodiversity. We believe every plant and animal has a role in nature. Every link in the chain needs to be protected and preserved, not destroyed for convenience or monetary considerations.
Benefits of Grass-Fed and Finished Meat
Acabonac Farms’ dedication to the use of regenerative farming practices that protect the environment, reduce our operation’s carbon footprint and encourage and maintain biodiversity also result in nutrient-dense, healthy products. We have earned a national reputation for supplying our customers with beef, chicken, pork and lamb products that contain high levels of beneficial fats and low levels of unhealthy fats.
Our livestock is raised humanely, roaming pastures on our acres near the Atlantic Ocean. We strive to maintain the rich soil that has played such a key role in the history of farming on Long Island. The result is 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised meat that ensures you and your family eat the healthiest meat possible.
How to Identify and Choose Herbicide-Free Products
Identifying and choosing herbicide-free products requires careful attention to product labels and company practices. Start by reading the label and checking for the absence of chemical herbicides such as glyphosate, atrazine and dicamba. It’s also important to research the brand and find out its stance on the use of herbicides and other chemicals.
The surest way to find herbicide-free products is to buy from a brand that is clear and transparent about its farming practices, such as Acabonac Farms. By purchasing from us, you ensure that you receive healthy, herbicide-free meats and provide support to people who care about sustainability and take action on their beliefs every day.
Where to Buy Chemical-Free Meat Online
The lack of chemical herbicides and pesticides is one of many reasons to choose to buy from Acabonac Farms. By supporting our operation and our adherence to sustainable and humane practices, you are supporting a growing trend among health-conscious consumers who deserve higher-quality food.
You can browse a wide variety of cuts in our online meat shop and have your order delivered to your door anywhere in the US, or choose to pick it up at our Middle Island, New York location. You also have the opportunity to build a box of meats that give you variety for meal planning or order in bulk. We also offer nutritious products for your pets. You will have the comfort of knowing that our beef, chicken, pork and lamb products are grass-fed, with no pesticides or herbicides. Try and see for yourself. You will taste the difference!