Frequently Asked Questions
“What is Regenerative farming”
Regenerative farming is simply farming with nature to produce food whist simultaneously giving back to the land. So with, cattle we use rotational grazing to run the animals as a herd like they would in nature which actually improves the soil, pasture and sequesters carbon into the soil by using the grass and roots to photosynthesise and store energy in the roots and soil. This is also known as biomimicry: it’s mimicking natures patterns, and as a result working with nature as an ecosystem as opposed to trying to dominate and extort resources from it.
“What is Grass Finished?”
Finishing is the last few months of an animals life before it becomes food. All BGF cattle are fed ONLY grass, which is actually quite rare. Most Grass Fed Beef is actually grain finished, they don’t need to state they used grain if it was less than 88 days.
“Why is grain bad?”
Cows are not actually supposed to eat grain at all. It is a completely unnatural diet for them, and grain can actually change the omegas in the fat of the animal from healthy omega 3’s to inflammatory omega 6’s. Even if they have been fed grass the majority of their life, it only take 30 days to change their fat quality. In Australia, cows can be considered “grass-fed” even if they are finished on grain for up to 60 days.
The problem with grain runs deep, far beyond harming the animals health and the quality of food that this cow can provide for the community. Grain is a high energy input. Generally it is grown in mono cropped fields that destroy the soil, and usually accompanied with toxic chemicals (herbicides, pesticides). Processing the grain is done in factories, that emit carbon, not to mention the packaging, shipping, etc. All these added inputs harm the animal, the environment, and the ecosystem. By implementing regenerative practices and proper farm management techniques, cows can feed on grass their whole lives, and we all win.
We take pride in providing beef that is made from pure sunlight energy ☺ The way it is supposed to be.
“Is the beef certified Organic?”
No this is not certified Organic, but it is as close as you can get. We actually don’t have any certified organic beef in the Byron area. The thing we guarantee is absolutely no grain, no chemical on the pasture, and the use of paddock rotation. The one input we cant avoid is to drench given the high level of parasites in this region, but we do that to a bare minimum.
The cattle sourced at Byron Grass Fed goes beyond organic in many ways, because it uses regenerative farming practices. Organic certifications don’t actually address the food in terms of its place in the ecosystem in which it is grown. By implementing techniques like rotational grazing (and no added chemicals whatsoever to our pastures), our grass fed and finished cows are not only nutrient dense food for you, but they also play a key role in generating healthy soil.
“Is all the beef from your farm”?
No, Byron Grass Fed is a small company that brings local beef directly to the consumer. The relationships with these farms are built by Andrew, who also manages some of the farms directly. All the farms in which we source our cattle are farmed regeneratively, within a 50km radius of Byron Bay. These farmers are farmers, and do not have the capacity to take their beef directly to the consumer. Byron Grass Fed was born out of a desire to connect the consumers directly with the grass-finished beef farmed using these incredible practices.
“Are all your products local?”
Absolutely. We only work with farms within in 50km of Byron itself the furthest we go at this stage is Dunloe Park farm in Pottsville. We also support incredible local brands, based on relationships we have made directly within the Byron community.
“Where are the farms you source from?”
All within 50km and mostly in the Byron Shire. Mostly coming from - Two farms in Myocum, and 1 in Wilsons creek 1 in Mullum and 1 Pottsvile, occasionally Eureka. But all 100% grass Fed chemical free pastures with paddock rotation.
“Where are your cattle slaughtered”?
Our closest abattoir is at casino so thankfully not far. Our kill day is Wednesday and we only send cattle in Tuesday afternoon to give absolute minimum time there.
“Do you slaughter on the Farms?”
No legally for sale we have to have our animals slaughtered at a licensed facility, our closest one being Casino about 40 min drive.
“Do you guys sell liver?”
No the abattoirs keep all the offal, unfortunately. You can buy liver from them but there is no guarantee it will be from our animals.
“ Where can I buy Byron Grass Fed beef?”
Find us in the shops:
Spar at Suffolk park
IGA Mullumbimby
Herbal Wisdom Bangalow
New Brighton General store (will have our sausages)
Go Vita Ballina
Find us at the farmers market:
Mullumbimby Farmers Market every Friday’s 7am - 11am
Lismore Farmers Market Thursday’s 2.30pm-6.30pm
Find us on the menu at:
The Nook Fermentary – for bone broth and stew
The Bangalow Bowlo – for grass-finished burgers
