Why Buy Meat from Briden Farm!?
If you've been following us for a while, or You've tasted our Meat, You undoubtedly know why! Right? Ethical Treatment, Rotational Pastures, Regenerative Farming, Pastured, Woodland Pastured? What do these terms mean anyway!?
To be honest, we were doing these things even before we knew they were Terms!
I know that sounds strange, but it's true. Before we started Briden Farm in 2020 we had asked several people, over several years, as we sort of planned for, but more dreamed of, starting our own Homestead and Farm.
We spoke to people who had pigs, goats, rabbits, chickens, and other poultry, about the way they were keeping their animals. What worked best for them?
Then we applied those things, and adapted them to best fit our situation. We also drew on the our own experiences. We already had experience with most of these animals. So, it just clicked so to speak.
After our first year or so, and having different people ask if we followed people like Justin Rhodes, Greg Judy, and Joel Salatin, online? We didn't, but we began doing so, and learned from them also. Further refining the way we do things.
"Ok", you're saying, but what makes Briden Farm meat better?
Glad You asked!
Let's look at the Meat from woodland-pastured animals, and why it's often considered better...
Dietary Variety: Animals raised in woodlands typically have access to a diverse range of plants and insects. This varied diet can result in a more complex and nuanced flavor profile in the meat.
More like the meat and flavour I remember from my Childhood.
Natural Foraging: Animals in woodland pastures have the opportunity to engage in natural foraging behaviours. This can lead to improved animal welfare and potentially result in meat that is natural and ethically produced.
Imagine for a moment, how would your health be if you were kept in a confined space and fed pellets? That's kind of what it's like for animals raised on large Commercial Farms! Wouldn't You rather have a more natural and varied diet?
Environmental Impact: Woodland pasturing is considered more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Helping maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity while reducing the negative impacts associated with large-scale industrial farming.
Imagine if everything you did was confined to just your dinning room!
That sort of describes what it's like when large scale operations keep caged animals.
Healthier Fats: Proponents argue that meat from animals raised in woodlands may have a healthier fat profile. The diverse diet can contribute to a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, which is often considered beneficial for human health.
Not to mention that sunshine helps provide Vitamin D.
Reduced Antibiotic Use: Woodland pasturing may be associated with lower antibiotic use in animal agriculture. Animals that have more space to roam and a natural diet may be less prone to diseases, reducing the need for antibiotics.
At Briden Farm, we have not had to use chemical dewormers, hormones, nor antibiotics, in over 3 Years! This is helped by our Rotating the animal's pastures. With frequent rotation it is possible to keep the animals on fresh food, while also avoiding and preventing parasite infection before it happens.
When was the last time you heard of a massive infectious disease outbreak under our circumstances? Now, when was the last time You heard about outbreaks in intensive, large scale, meat factories? Right!?
Ethical Considerations: For those concerned about animal welfare, woodland pasturing offers a more humane alternative to conventional factory farming. Animals raised in a natural environment experience less stress and have a higher quality of life. The less stress, the better the meat, the more stress, especially in the 24-48 hours directly proceeding dispatch.
That's why most, if not all, our meat is not Government Inspected!
See, in order to be Inspected, the animals have to be transported, are often put in stock holding pens and unfamiliar situations that cause stress.
In the Well Being Institute Article, The Effect of Stress on Livestock and Meat Quality Prior to and During Slaughter says,
"Short-term acute stress, such as excitement or fighting immediately prior to slaughter, produced lactic acid from the breakdown of glycogen. This results in meat which has a lower pH, lighter color, reduced water binding capacity, and is possibly tougher." WellBeingIntlStudiesRepository.org
So, animals under stress have a lower quality of meat! Why then, would we, after months of care and careful management, want our animals, or you exposed to that?
Local and Small-Scale Farming: Woodland pasturing, and Grass Fed, is often associated with smaller-scale, local farming operations. Supporting local farmers can contribute to the local economy and help build a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Problem is, it is far more labour intensive and time consuming. Whether we do it all ourselves, or have someone to help us, it costs! That's why Large Scale Commercial, Government Inspected, Facilities are able to provide you a product that's cheap!
Sadly, it's cheap in other ways to, look at the Nutrient Value of Canadian Pork as reported by the Canadian Pork Council. Why is there no mention of Omegas and Vitamin D? Oh! Wait! Does that only comes from animals that are raised outside!?
How, let's look at what this PDF from Hampshire College says about
The Nutritional Benefits of Pasture-Raised Pigs. See, it's not just us!
- Less saturated fat, more heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats
- Lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fats
- Higher levels of protein and vitamin E
Those are just a few of the things that make it, not only taste better, but more nutritious! Be sure to Read the Report by Hampshire College.
Now, do you suppose that if Pasture Raised Pigs are better then Chicken, Rabbits, and other Meats are better also!?
So, while we all know You can get cheaper! Can You get better?
We want to help You get the best possible meat for you and yours while also helping you get the biggest bang for your buck! Yet, because it's more labour and time intensive, it costs more! Makes sense! Right?
We have Woodland Pastured Pork, Free Range Pastured Chicken, Nearly Wild Rabbit (You Really got to taste it!) and Muscovy Ducks. For more information or to get yours now, call Brian at Briden Farm 902-907-0770
