In today’s world, knowing where your food comes from is more important than ever. With so many labels on meat products, from "growth hormone-free" to "antibiotic-free" and "GMO-free," it can be tough to know exactly what each one means and how they impact the quality of what you eat. At Brown Pearcy, we believe in complete transparency about our farming practices so you can make informed choices about the meat you bring home.
In this blog, we’ll break down these commonly used labels, explaining what they mean, why they matter, and how Brown Pearcy adheres to these standards to provide meat you can trust.
1. Growth Hormone-Free: Why It Matters and What to Look For
What Does “Growth Hormone-Free” Mean?
Growth hormone-free meat comes from animals that haven’t been given synthetic growth hormones, which are often used to speed up growth or boost milk production. Growth hormones are especially common in conventionally raised beef and can be used to make animals grow larger, faster. However, there is concern over the potential effects of synthetic growth hormones on human health, as well as animal welfare.
Brown Pearcy’s Commitment
At Brown Pearcy, our Angus cattle and heritage hogs are raised without any added growth hormones. We believe in raising our animals the natural way, which means allowing them to grow at a healthy pace on natural pastures, ensuring high-quality, safe meat that doesn’t rely on artificial enhancements. For us, growth hormone-free isn’t just a label—it’s a commitment to producing meat that prioritizes both health and taste.
2. Antibiotic-Free: A Healthier Choice for Your Family
What Does “Antibiotic-Free” Mean?
Antibiotic-free meat comes from animals that haven’t been given antibiotics during their lifecycle. In conventional meat production, antibiotics are frequently used not only to treat illnesses but also as a preventative measure or growth promoter. The overuse of antibiotics in farming can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a growing concern for public health.
Brown Pearcy’s Commitment
We know that healthy animals produce better meat, so we don’t use antibiotics to keep our livestock well. Instead, we use sustainable, humane practices like rotational grazing and open pasture access to maintain a stress-free, healthy environment for our cattle and hogs. This approach keeps our animals naturally resilient, allowing us to offer antibiotic-free meat that aligns with our commitment to quality and transparency.
3. GMO-Free: Keeping Your Food as Natural as Possible
What Does “GMO-Free” Mean?
GMO-free meat means that the animals were not fed genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their diet. GMOs are often used in conventional farming to produce crops that grow faster, resist pests, or withstand certain herbicides. However, some consumers prefer to avoid GMOs due to concerns over long-term health effects and the environmental impact.
Brown Pearcy’s Commitment
Our cattle and hogs are raised on a natural diet without GMOs. We offer both grass-fed and grass-finished and grass-fed and grain finished beef. For our animals that graze on pastures and are finished by grain we ensure this is locally sourced grains. By providing non-GMO feed, we produce beef and pork that are pure, natural, and free from artificial influences, giving you confidence in the quality of each cut.
Common Labels to Look Out For and What They Really Mean
To make informed choices, it’s helpful to understand the various labels you may see on meat products. Here’s a quick breakdown:
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Natural: Often implies minimal processing but doesn’t guarantee the absence of growth hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs. “Natural” alone is not a regulated term, so it’s best to look for additional labels like “growth hormone-free” or “antibiotic-free” for added assurance.
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Organic: Organic meat is from animals that were fed organic feed and raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. While this is beneficial, organic certification can be costly and doesn’t always equate to higher quality. At Brown Pearcy, we go beyond organic with our commitment to sustainable and humane practices, whether or not our products are labeled “organic.”
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Pasture-Raised: This means animals spent time outdoors on pasture, though the amount of time can vary. Brown Pearcy cattle and hogs are pasture-raised, with access to open spaces and a diet that mirrors their natural needs.
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Grass-Fed: Grass-fed means animals are fed only grass for most or all of their lives. However, “grass-finished” is a more specific term, indicating that no grains were used in their final diet. Brown Pearcy offers both grass-finished and grain-finished options, providing variety without compromising on natural, ethical feeding practices.
How Brown Pearcy Stands Out: Quality You Can Trust
Unlike some meat brands that rely on shortcuts or added chemicals, Brown Pearcy follows a strict standard for purity and quality:
- Growth Hormone-Free and Antibiotic-Free: Our cattle and hogs are raised without growth hormones or antibiotics, ensuring that each bite is safe, clean, and healthy. It's the only meat we'll feed our families.
- GMO-Free Feed: We use natural, locally sourced grains and grasses in our animals’ diets, avoiding GMOs to keep your food pure.
- Ethical and Sustainable Practices: From pasture-raised animals to regenerative farming techniques, we prioritize the health of our animals, our land, and our community.
At Brown Pearcy, we believe that premium meat should come from premium practices. By adhering to these standards, we produce beef and pork that’s naturally delicious, safe for your family, and raised with integrity.
Why Labels Matter—and Why We’re Proud of Ours
Meat labels can be confusing, but they serve as a guide to help you make choices that align with your values. At Brown Pearcy, we are committed to transparency and quality in everything we do. When you choose our growth hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and GMO-free beef and pork, you’re choosing products that are better for you, better for the animals, and better for the environment.
The next time you’re shopping for meat, look beyond the labels and ask where it comes from and how it was raised. At Brown Pearcy, you can be sure that every cut we offer is the result of ethical, responsible practices that you can feel good about.
Discover the Difference
If you’re ready to experience premium Angus beef and heritage pork raised with care, check out our selection today. Brown Pearcy brings you farm-raised meat that’s pure, wholesome, and flavorful—the way meat was meant to be.
