By the way, i heard along the way, that McDonalds tends to buy the worst cows... i knew someone from forums i was a member of a few years back. her sister was a cattle rancher in Montana. She said at auction, her sisters cows were sold to Ruth Chris steakhouse. However, they had to truck in the downer cattle that couldnt walk, which sold for cheap prices. She claimed Mcdonalds almost always purchased meat from these cattle.
Some info:
Check out "The Future of food" ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvLBMXC_D0Q (scary fact: 80% of beef comes from only 4 large companies!)
Here is a direct quote from the aforementioned poster w/ the cattle rancher:
"This might not be the most informational post ever but my sister is a rancher, so I just wanted to give you a little "inside" information. She was telling me about the cattle auctions where they sell their beef. Here is a basic breakdown.
Her cattle is all free range, grass fed beef. She sells all of her beef to one place pretty exclusively now, because they pay top dollar and always outbid everyone...Ruth Chris Steakhouse. Her beef is considered prime beef. So, if you want "organic" beef, you are safe with Ruth Chris. Just some FYI.
Also, they are actually allowed to sell beef that is alive, even if it is not in good condition. They have to bring in some cattle on forklifts and inloaders because the cattle can't walk due to congentials defects, illness, etc. This is the beef that McDonald's generally buys. She said that they, more than anyone else, buy the worse cattle at the cattle auctions. As for the fast food restaurants, the Hardees/Carl Jrs. parent company buys mid-range cattle. They don't buy the cattle that has to be brought in on forklifts, but they will buy the commercial cattle beef. The same goes for most of the beef you get in your local grocery store. That is primarily commercial beef. But of course, don't forget how much beef is also imported as well!
Unfortunately, organizations like the Cattleman's Association is really out to protect the big commercial ranchers rather than the small ranchers like my sister. I am lucky, because she will send me sides of beef, so I can count on prime beef and KNOW I am getting top notch quality beef. Believe me, American ranchers would be just as happy to be behind this effort to have back their ranges as would anyone else, because they detest the whole commercialization of ranching as well. In fact, her husband's family comes from a long history of ranching and they are constantly getting pressured from a commercial ranching company to try and sell their land. They are even fighting a court battle right now because that commercial company is trying an emminent domain thing now!
Anyway, that's just a small glance at what my sister told what it's like when she goes to her cattle auctions. I tell you one thing. I haven't ever gone to a McDonald's since I heard that! "
second post:
" No, my sister does not sell to the public, she only sells at cattle auctions. That's really the only way she can ensure that she can stay in business. It's the way of the small rancher nowadays. It's really hard to stay alive as a rancher these days with the big commercial operations. Her husband's family have been ranchers in Colorado for hundreds of years and they are
hanging on by their fingertips because the government is doing everything in their power not to protect them. So much for the small guy, right? They are still very old fashioned in the way they operate. They still have cattle drives, they use horses and dogs to drive the cattle, still have cattle roundups each spring, etc. Really, they haven't changed the way they run the ranch since a hundred years ago. The only thing that has really changed is the innoculations and such.
I don't know if there is an easy answer to this dilemna other than having an understanding of the system and knowing where to buy and not buy from. After all, knowledge is indeed power. I do know that I was appalled when she told me this information and it has definitely changed my eating habits. It eliminated my desire for ANY fast food at all. I guess it's a silver lining thing. I wish I had a better answer for you.
Unfortunately, the government works slowly and with lobbyists and such, laws are NOT made in the best interests of the people, but the best interests of large companies. So, when the risk finally outweighs the cost benefit, the government will finally do something. This, unfortunately, is often too late for far too many people. This is why education and knowledge is so important! "
