Animal Welfare and Nutritional Information
What is 100% Grass-Fed Beef?
Schnelle Farms beef is "100% grass-fed," also known as "grass-fed, grass-finished." This means our cattle are pasture-raised for their entire lives. 100% grass-fed beef is typically leaner and has a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, when compared to grain-fed beef.
If you're buying grass-fed beef at the grocery store, you might not be getting what you expect. The term "grass-fed" can be misleading because many cows feed on grass freely when they're young but are "finished" as grain-fed and confined to feedlots.
What do your cows eat?
Our cattle (cows) are 100% grass-fed and roam free on grassy green pastures throughout their entire lives. They eat their natural diet of grass and may receive other grasses or minerals during the winter months. Examples of grasses they eat may include (but are not limited to) annuals, perennials, bluegrass, rye grass, and sorghum.
Are your animals humanly raised?
Yes, our animals are humanely raised, and we care for them every step of the way.
We raise our cattle on our farm, this is a family business. Their health and wellbeing are of upmost importance to us, and they are cared for by us, every day to ensure that they are both healthy and happy.
We are dedicated to doing the right thing. We don't cut corners, and we are always looking for ways to improve. Our mindset is to provide your family with the same high standards of care, health and wellbeing that we provide to our family.
Shipping and Delivery
Shipping and Delivery?
We fill and ship all orders directly from our farm. Orders are filled and shipped every Monday.
Here's a quick guide to our order and delivery timeline:
- Your order will ship on the Monday following the date your order is placed.
- As soon as your order ships, you'll receive an email with tracking information.
- Most orders are delivered 1-2 days after they ship. Our carriers typically deliver between 8-8pm, with a small number of deliveries occurring outside of those hours. Check your tracking information to follow your order!
Do I have to put my order in the freezer immediately?
You don't have to be home for delivery, but all orders should be refrigerated or frozen as soon as possible.
When delivered on time and retrieved within 6-8 hours of delivery, the meat will still be partially to completely frozen and can be safely placed in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
Beef Nutrition
Can beef be enjoyed regularly as part of a healthy, balanced diet?
Absolutely! A 3-ounce serving of beef—about the size of an iPhone—provides more than 10 essential nutrients including protein, iron, zinc and vitamins B12 and B6. One serving of beef contains about half of your Daily Value for protein in around 170 calories on average (and just 150 calories for a serving of lean beef).(1)
How much beef should I eat at a meal to meet my daily protein requirements?
Beef is a great protein option and source of essential nutrients to enjoy any day and for any meal! Dietary Guidelines recommend adults eat 5.5 ounces of protein foods, including beef, per day. Beef can be enjoyed for any meal throughout the day so incorporating beef into various meals will help you meet the recommended Dietary Guidelines.(2)
What benefits do the 10 essential nutrients in beef provide to the human body?
High-quality protein, like that found in beef, plays an increasingly important role in muscle maintenance, weight management, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Research also shows the iron, zinc and B vitamins found in beef play an essential role in developing and maintaining cognitive ability in children and adults.(3)
What nutritional benefits does beef offer me that other proteins don’t?
Beef is a nutritional powerhouse in a smaller package than other protein foods. Apart from being a great source of protein, it would take 8 ounces of cooked chicken breast to eat the same amount of iron as in just 3 ounces of beef, and nearly 7 times (20 ounces) the amount of chicken to get the same amount of zinc in a serving of beef!(1)
Is grass-finished beef more nutritious than grain-finished beef?
Grass-finished beef typically contains higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which are associated with various health benefits such as reduced inflammation and improved heart health. Grass-finished beef also tends to have lower levels of unhealthy fats, such as omega-6 fatty acids, compared to grain-finished beef.
Additionally, grass-finished beef is often higher in certain vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, beta-carotene, and B-vitamins, as well as antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase. However, the differences in nutrient content between grass-finished and grain-finished beef can vary depending on factors such as the animal's diet, breed, and farming practices.
Overall, while grass-finished beef may offer some nutritional advantages over grain-finished beef, both can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can eating beef help improve cholesterol levels?
Yes! Research shows that a heart healthy diet and lifestyle that includes lean beef, even daily, improved cholesterol levels. About half the fatty acids found in beef are called monounsaturated fatty acids, the same kind found in olive oil, and, as part of a heart-healthy diet, can reduce cholesterol levels.(1,5)
Can plant-based diets and proteins provide the same amount of protein as beef?
Many sources of plant protein do not contain all the amino acids your body needs. Beef supplies more protein and nutrients in significantly fewer calories than plant proteins. A lean beef burger patty averages around 154 calories and 25 grams of protein. Conversely, a veggie burger patty may be lower in calories, but only contains 13 grams of protein per serving.(1)
Can eating beef cause cancer?
Cancer is a complex disease and most scientists agree that many factors, including lifestyle and environmental conditions, must be taken into consideration-- making it unrealistic to isolate a single food as a cause of cancer. In fact, despite all the investment made in cancer research, there is no single food, including beef, that has been proven to cause or cure cancer.(6)
Do higher-protein diets have any negative health effects like kidney damage or bone loss?
No, this is a common myth about protein. Eating a diet higher in protein can actually help people lose and maintain a healthy weight and support a healthy metabolism. Research shows that eating 25-30 grams of protein at each meal is ideal for optimal body benefits.(7)
Beef Nutrition Bibliography
- • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (Slightly revised). Version Current: May 2016. Internet: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl
- • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. Available at http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/.
- • Paddon-Jones D, et al. Protein, weight management, and satiety. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:1558S-61S.
• Wolfe, R. The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:475-82. - • Van Elswyk ME, McNeill SH. Impact of grass/forage feeding versus grain finishing on beef nutrients and sensory quality: the U.S. experience. Meat Sci 2014;96:535-40.
- • Roussell MA, et al. Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet study: effects on lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:9-16.
- • Schoenfeld JD, Ioannidis JP. Is everything we eat associated with cancer? A systematic cookbook review. Am J Clin Nutr 2013;97:127-34.
• Miller PE, Alexander DD, Weed DL: Uncertainty of results in nutritional epidemiology. Nutr Today 2014;49:147–52. - • Phillips SM, et al. Protein "requirements" beyond the RDA: Implications for optimizing health. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2016;41:565-72.
• Wallace TC, Frankenfeld CL. Dietary protein intake above the current RDA and bone health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Nutr 2017;36:481-96.
*Beef Nutritional questions and answers are provided courtesy of BeefItsWhatsforDinner.com
Free Beef Giveaway!!
When is the drawing?
The next drawing for the free beef giveaway is March 20th, 2025. Just in time for Summer.
What is the beef prize?
10 pounds of premium ground angus beef. Shipped directly to your door for FREE.
How do I win?
Just sign up for our newsletter. You must be an active member of the newsletter mailing list to be eligible to win. No purchase necessary.
Why are you giving away free beef?
The free beef giveaway is a marketing tool for us. Not only does it attract people to our website, but it allows us to share valuable, up to date information about our beef and our farm. It is also a great opportunity for someone who has not had real beef before, to taste how great and satisfying grass-fed beef is.