At a recent bison conference, the topic of GMO’s came up. The biggest concern was the potential, future requirement for GMO transparency on product labels. This includes meat labels from animals fed GMO grains. The reason this was such a big deal to this particular audience, is that 90% of the bison raised for food are raised in the cattle feedlot model, consuming an unnatural diet in confinement for the last 90+ days of their lives. Most of these feeds are GMO. The conversation continued with people shouting out sarcastic remarks, such as, “What’s a GMO going to do to me anyway? Is it going to turn me into something bad if I eat it?” This was not the time or place to be controversial, for the most part we were amongst good, hard working folks, who were just thinking in the short term. As I listened to the GMO conversation, I thought it funny that the acronym reversed was OMG! I also thought about the hazmat suits worn, or full cover recommended when using chemicals. If we are advised to not get any of the toxic poisons on us, why would we want to ingest them? I wondered if the man talking would like to try it, so we could see what would happen to him? Seriously, the ramifications of pesticide, herbicide, and draught resistant genetically modified organisms are devastating. Studies continue to prove that the use of herbicides and pesticides on crops are directly related to specie diversity loss, compromised water quality, and risks to human health. Add draught resistance to this mix, and we accelerate the plow up of more prairie and dessert ecosystems. In short, GMO’s are bad for the environment and we CAN grow food without them. At Wild Idea Buffalo Company we are always looking at the long-term effects, and do our best to operate sustainably, working with nature, instead of against it. We promise to continue to produce a healthy, delicious, non-GMO meat alternative, for you and your families. If you are interested in more information on GMO’s, there are several studies and stories available on line. Here’s a few links that I found interesting, http://naturalsociety.com/gmo-farmer-wont-eat-crops/ , http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/, and http://www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs . Avoiding GMO foods takes a little more effort, but most groceries now offer organic, or non-GMO certified products. Another way is to know your farmer. This month’s recipe is GMO free, and is a terrific dish to make for the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations. In addition to the recipe, I offer you this slightly modified, non-GMO, Irish toast. I wish you health, I wish you well, and happiness galore. I wish you luck for you and friends, what could I wish you more? May your joys be as vast as the prairie, and your troubles as light as this poem. And may you find, sweet peace of mind, knowing that the buffalo roam. Cheers! jill Buffalo Irish Coddle (serves 8) This traditional Irish dish was often made from leftovers, using whatever vegetables were available. Feel free to change to you liking or availability. The light broth allows the flavors of each ingredient to come through, and although hearty, is also light. And, it’s so good! Enjoy. Ingredients: 1 – 8 ounce package Wild Idea Buffalo Bacon 1 – 1 pound package Wild Idea Buffalo Brats 2 – tablespoons olive oil 3 – organic onions, sliced ¼” thick and quartered 2 – quarts organic chicken broth 1½ – pound organic baby golden potatoes, sliced 4 – cups organic carrots, peeled and sliced 1 – organic turnip, peeled and cubed 1 – cup …
A Look Inside Food
In addition to naming people, pastures and animals at the ranch, we also have a tendency to name things, especially if they have a personality. So as the construction took shape of Jilian’s new moveable chicken house and firecracker red was selected for it’s exterior color, the name “Loretta” seemed only appropriate. Loretta made her grand entrance onto the prairie a few days ago. She looked beautiful in the green grass and against the blue prairie sky. Farmer Jilian, along with her assistants, baby Lincoln and the Shepherd Ivan, gathered the chickens around their new roost to make the introduction. The purpose of Loretta is to move it around the pastures, allowing the chickens to have new forage, while simultaneously fertilizing the ground through its wire mesh floor. And perhaps the best part is for Jilian, with time saved in not having to clean out the stationary chicken coop. It’s a win-win situation all the way around. Not to mention the eggs, which are a “burst of sunshine” delicious! Often, when asked about the quality, sustainability and difference of Wild Idea Buffalo meat vs other meats from a potential new customer, I give them as much information as I know. Highlighting the other positive impacts that sustainable raised proteins can have on the land and the environment, as well as the health of the animals. But making the switch to sustainable food choices is a big step and it can also be more expensive. So, when I feel that I have covered all the information and people are still hesitant, I ask them to spend $10.00 to $15.00 to do the egg test. Purchase the cheapest eggs you can find (from chickens raised in cages that never see outdoors) and the most expensive cage-free eggs (from chickens raised in a crowded barn with access to the outdoors, which is rarely used) and then eggs from a co-op or farmer whom you might know (from chickens that run around outdoors and are free to forage.). Crack one of each of the eggs open, allowing you to see for yourself the quality difference in proteins raised in a proper environment, being fed a natural diet, and given the room required to forge. Seeing – is often believing. I’m not certain how many folks I talk to ever take the time or spend the money to do the egg test, but when I have done it for students, visitors or new interns they are always shocked at the difference. They also have the opportunity to see the chickens running around the great outdoors in all kinds of weather, and to collect the still warm eggs from the nesting boxes. Often it takes an up close and personal experience for people to make the connection and for the light bulb to go on. Oh! Wow! Got it! With the 4th of July just around the corner, this month’s recipe is for Red, White & Blue Buffalo Bacon Burgers! Plus with any purchase this month you will also receive my recipe for Potato Salad, which always gets rave reviews. You will need ORGANIC potatoes and you got it…FARM FRESH HAPPY EGGS! Happy summer everyone! Jill Red White & Blue Buffalo Bacon Burgers The quintessential Buffalo Burger, complete with Buffalo Bacon, Blue Cheese and a touch of fruit preserves! This – soon to be new favorite, will have you making it again, and again and again. Enjoy! Ingredients: 2 – 1 lb. Ground Buffalo 3 – tablespoons olive oil, plus a little more 1/2 – teaspoon mustard 2 – teaspoon ketchup 1/2 – teaspoon thyme …
Naturally Raised vs Organic
Nowadays when we peruse the aisles of our local grocery store we are hit by an onslaught of labels and tags. Two of these labels, which are appearing more and more frequently, are “Naturally Raised” and “Organic.” Both of these terms sound very appealing and should help steer the consumer towards a better product, but what do these terms really mean? A deeper look at these buzzwords is no doubt merited. Naturally Raised In 2009 the USDA defined the term Naturally Raised with respect to animals in the following way:1) No Growth Hormones 2) No Antibiotics –other than to prevent parasitism- and 3) no animal by products can be fed to the animals. USDA “Naturally Raised” Definition What the USDA has chosen to include in their definition of Naturally Raised is great; however, there is a problem with what’s left out of the definition. The standard leaves out discussions of confinement and what the animals are fed – it seems everything goes as long as it’s not animal byproduct. So while this standard is certainly a step in the right direction and has closed a lot of doors that prevent producers from using certain practices, it has unfortunately still left a few windows wide open. Organic The definition of Organic, as it pertains to animal products, covers many of the same issues that Naturally Raised does, but once again doesn’t complete the full spectrum of animal health/best practices. According to the standard, four items must be met: 1) producers meet health and welfare standards 2) hormones and antibiotics are not used, 3) all feed must be 100% Organic, 4) animals must have access to the outdoors. USDA “Organic” Definition Certainly the organic seal is a step in the correct direction for the food we consume, but once again it is what’s left out, or the grey areas, that present a problem. It’s great that our animals are being fed a 100% Organic diet, but is it the diet they would have chosen themselves and evolved to consume? Also, access to the outdoors is an awfully vague phrase; how often to the animals have access, what are their living conditions indoors, what type of space outdoors do they have access to? So here once again with the term Organic, we are presented with a term that doesn’t necessarily mean what we all hope it would. At Wild Idea Buffalo Co. we are often asked about how are animals are raised and whether or not we slap such labels on our product. We do not currently label our products this way because, truth be told, we go beyond these requirements and hold ourselves to our own standards. Our buffalo is always 100% Grass-fed, 100% Free-Roaming on the land and grasses they evolved to graze 5 million years ago, 100% Hormone and Antibiotic Free, and 100% Humanely Field Harvested. We strive to treat our animals with the dignity and respect they deserve as a result end up with a exquisitely delicious and healthy meat you can enjoy with a clear conscious.
Understanding Buzz Words
As a healthy red meat company, we answer a lot of questions regarding how our buffalo are raised, what they are fed, and how they are harvested. Our customers are looking for more then what’s on a label, they want real answers. Many producers, including ourselves, use words to explain there products such as; sustainable, grass-fed, free-range, organic, natural, and humanely treated. Many of these labels have guidelines behind them. But to a consumer, what do they all really mean? Are these labels just marketing tools or do they have truthful value? To help shed some light on these labels, and to help answer questions you might have on Wild Idea Buffalo Co. products, as well as to satisfy our own curiosities, I sat down and did some investigating. As a producer we do our best to be completely transparent with our customers. It can not however be summed up into a word or two, it requires an explanation. The explanation goes something like this: Wild Idea Buffalo meat is; 100% antibiotic & hormone free, 100% pastured/free roaming, 100% grass-fed only, 100% non-confined, 100% humanely treated, and 100% humanely harvested. (And we are 100% telling the truth.) This explanation is followed by many detailed footnotes. Does that make us sustainable buffalo ranchers and meat producers? Yes. If you consider the condensed explanation of sustainability related to ranching and agricultural practices, your definition would be; From Wikipedia: Sustainability is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity and productivity into the future. From the Commission on Environment & Development: In short, sustainability is “to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. We participate in sustainability by; putting abused lands back to native grass, returning the native buffalo back to its homeland, which in turn rejuvenates the ecosystem, as well as other native species, and we use limited fossil fuels in our ranch operation. It is our attempt at leaving our small piece of this world a little better then what we found it. Are we grass-fed? Yes, 100% grass-fed, in a free roaming non-confined environment. From grass-fed 101: There is currently no USDA-standardized definition of grass fed. This makes the term grass-fed misleading, as many producers use the term grass-fed but forget to tell you that their animals have been “finished”. Finishing is a process of fattening the animal for the last 90 to 160 days on an un-natural diet of corn, grains and other. What is other you ask? My father’s last job was for a small feed-lot operator in North Dakota. During a visit, he gave Dan and me a tour. It was my first time on a feed-lot, and even though it was small by factory feed-lots, it was still awful. I could see that my father felt similarly by the look in his eyes. Our last stop on the property was the feed storage area. At our feet were piles of silage. Not a silage of chopped up corn and hay, but an other type of silage consisting of French fries, potato ole’s, hamburger buns, chewing gum still in the foil wrapper, (I guess no one was willing to peel the wrappers off for the cows), and other discarded fast food items. Our disgusted silence was soon interrupted by a tractor. The driver lowered the bucket on his front end loader, scooped up a big shovel full and then moved off to feed the cows. So even if you are trying to avoid fast food, you could very well be eating …