What Is Regenerative Farming?

With more people taking an interest in where their food comes from, "regeneratively-raised beef" is a term that’s gaining a lot of attention. But what does it really mean? And how is it different from the "grass-fed" or "pastured" meat you usually find at the store?

To help break it all down we're going to cover a few key points:

-What Exactly Is Regenerative Farming/Agriculture?

-Why rotational grazing matters.

-Grass-fed vs. grass-finished beef.

-The nutritional perks of regeneratively-raised beef.

-Cost comparison: regenerative vs. conventional meat.

-Where to find regenerative beef.

The idea behind regenerative agriculture isn’t new, but the term itself was popularized by the Rodale Institute in the 1980s. However, the principles of working with the land, rather than against it, have been a staple in Native and Indigenous farming practices for generations.

Regenerative agriculture is all about farming in a way that helps the land thrive. Farmers who go this route steer clear of industrial methods and instead focus on:

-Rebuilding and enriching soil.

-Promoting diverse plant and soil life.

-Ditching chemical inputs to avoid pollution.

-Preventing runoff that could harm nearby rivers and streams.

-Restoring ecosystems and protecting helpful insects like bees.

Some common practices in regenerative farming include cover cropping, crop rotation, and no-till planting. And when it comes to livestock, these farmers ensure that animals can roam freely and express their natural behaviors, rather than being confined to tight spaces.

This approach not only benefits the environment but also creates safer, healthier conditions for farm workers.

Soil Health: The Heart of Regenerative Agriculture

Think of soil as the foundation of everything. On a regenerative cattle farm, animals graze just like they would in the wild, moving freely across the land. They munch on various plants, which keeps any one area from getting overgrazed. This natural grazing helps maintain strong root systems and enriches the soil with the animals' manure and the action of their hooves.

Healthy soil isn’t just good for the animals; it also plays a big role in fighting climate change. Research shows that regeneratively-raised beef can help lower carbon emissions. Healthy, well-managed pastures pull carbon out of the atmosphere, balancing out the methane that cattle produce.

Why Rotational Grazing Matters

Rotational grazing is a cornerstone of regenerative cattle farming. It means moving livestock to fresh pastures regularly—often daily. This practice mimics the way animals naturally graze in the wild.

The benefits are huge:

Healthier Pastures: The land gets a break between grazing, allowing plants to regrow and manure to enrich the soil.

Healthier Animals: Access to fresh, non-GMO pasture means the animals are healthier and more active, resulting in better meat.

Healthier Meat: It’s simple—healthier animals produce better meat.

Better for the Environment: By moving cattle around, no single area gets overgrazed, allowing plants to thrive and capture more carbon from the air.

Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to beef, grass-fed and grass-finished aren’t the same thing. On a regenerative farm, cattle are both grass-fed and grass-finished, meaning they only eat grass and foliage throughout their lives.

On the other hand, beef labeled as "grass-fed" might come from cattle that started on grass but were later fed grains to bulk up before processing. This is a common practice in conventional farming.

To make sure you’re getting meat that’s both nutritious and ethically raised, look for beef that’s grass-finished and pasture-raised. This guarantees the cattle lived naturally, ate a pure diet, and were never confined to feedlots.

Nutritional Benefits of Regeneratively-Raised Beef

At Florida Premium Beef, our cattle are 100% grass-fed and finished. They spend their days grazing on non-GMO pastures, soaking up the Florida sunshine. They never eat grain or by-products and are raised without antibiotics or hormones.

Not only is regeneratively-raised beef more flavorful, but it’s also packed with nutrients like:

✔️Glutathione, the “Master Antioxidant.”

✔️L-Carnitine, which supports energy production.

✔️High-quality protein and essential minerals.

✔️Carnosine, CLA, and Creatine.

✔️& Plenty of B vitamins.

Why Regeneratively-Raised Beef Costs More

Yes, regeneratively-raised beef is more expensive than conventional meat. The reason? It’s more labor-intensive. Instead of relying on chemicals and machinery, regenerative farming uses hands-on methods that prioritize quality over quantity.

By choosing regeneratively-raised beef, you’re investing in better land management, ethical farming practices, and the highest-quality meat available.

Where to Find Regeneratively-Raised Beef

Florida Premium Beef offers 100% grass-fed and finished beef, raised without antibiotics, hormones, or mRNA vaccines. Our beef is processed by a USDA-certified processor, ensuring the highest standards for cleanliness and safety.

You can shop our wide selection of beef boxes, beef shares and individual premium cuts online, and it gets delivered fresh to your front door. 

We carefully package each order with enough dry ice to ensure it arrives in great condition ready to enjoy right away or freeze for another day. 

Click here to browse and shop all. We offer Free Shipping on orders $200 and up. 

We’re now also serving Alabama and Georgia, too, bringing our premium beef to even more communities.