Dear Mrs. Butters of Mary Jane’s Farm

Dear Mrs. Butters,

Thankfully, cattle producers have already accepted Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg’s “Food Challenge” that the Newroom of Mary Jane’s Farm reported in the August/September issue.

The Beef Quality Assurance program (BQA) focuses on educating and training cattle producers, farm advisors and veterinarians on issues in beef safety and quality.

Programming is regularly updated to teach producers the most advanced compassionate measures for handling cattle.

As a farmer yourself, Mrs. Butters, I know that you understand that in the daily care of our animals we love and appreciate them. Farmers know that giving animals the care, handling and nutrition they deserve is an obligation, not an option.  We raise healthy cattle, which is the first step in producing safe, wholesome and nutritious beef for America’s families.

Sincerely,

Karla Britt

MOOve on, Food Editors. Here’s the BEEF!

Aunt Helen’s Better-for-You Li’l Cheddar Meat Loaves

  • 1 egg

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 3/4 C milk

  • 1 tsp. salt

  • 1 C shredded cheese

  • 2/3 C ketchup

  • 1/2 C quick cooking oats

  • 1/2 C brown sugar, packed

  • 1/2 C Chopped onion

  • 1/2 tsp. prepared mustard

In a bowl beat egg and milk. Stir in cheese, oats, onion and salt. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 8 loaves; place in a greased 9 X 13 baking dish. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spoon over loaves. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Yield: 8 servings (or you can practice moderation and share….)

Where’s YOUR Beef?

 “There aren’t any beef recipes in this magazine” was the  observation made by my sweet daughter-in-law as she flipped through the pages of one of the several magazines I purchase monthly. Becca’s comment motivated me to search the other magazines on my coffee table and to my dismay there were very few beef recipes. Paula Deen, the Butter Queen, only had one beef recipe and that was IN a salad. One magazine featured a recipe for meatloaf with a (gasp) TURKEY version beside it– inferring the newer version is “Better-for-You”.
I don’t want to pluck out the white meat producers. I believe there is room on the table for all the food God has given us–at different meals, of course. But evidently food editors and dietitians have decided to butcher the beef industry and blame the cow for America’s obesity epidemic.
Yes, I am biased. We are beef producers. I am also concerned. According to the Community Nutrition Research Group, Americans are increasingly overfed yet undernourished. 60% of girls ages 12-19 are iron deficient and 47% are zinc deficient. Where’s the beef???