The View From a Michigan Cattle Ranch
We've been fielding a lot of questions about mRNA vaccinations and our grass-fed beef.
First, great to see people are taking an interest in how their food is produced.
However, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around, so let’s set the record straight on mRNA vaccinations from the perspective of this Northern Michigan Grass-Fed Beef Rancher.
What is an mRNA vaccine?
To break it down, an mRNA vaccine essentially trains our immune system to recognize and combat a specific virus. It contains a small piece of genetic material (mRNA) that instructs cells to create a harmless part of the virus, preparing our immune system to defend against it.
How are mRNA vaccines given to cattle?
They aren't approved for this purpose in the United States. It's neither legal nor necessary for U.S. livestock producers to employ unlicensed vaccines. Additionally, COVID-19 isn’t a concern for our grass-fed cattle.
Product of USA Labeling
The labeling of meat products in the United States can be murky. Items labeled as “Product of USA” may not have been raised in the country but could have been processed or modified here. This raises questions about the vaccines these animals might have received elsewhere. To read more, visit our blog post Product of the USA...Not.
Big meat producers benefit from these labeling nuances by importing cheaper meat from other countries, which can pose marketing challenges for smaller producers.
Better Choice. Better Health.
Promoting healthy eating is important to us. We advocate for sustainable livestock production and emphasize the nutritional benefits of naturally-raised foods like grass-fed beef.
It's higher in essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E compared to conventionally produced beef, benefiting both health and the environment.
The excessive use of antibiotics in livestock concerns us.
Some industrially raised animals are continuously given antibiotics, even without illness.
You don't give your children antibiotics when they are not sick, why treat the cattle with antibiotics....unless they need it for some other reason, like the food they're eating.
Our goals are simple: to provide healthy, nutrient-rich food while maintaining the well-being of our animals and the environment.
[10-29-2026 Edit]
At The North Coast Ranch:
The cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. They only eat grass and hay. Hay is harvested grass that is fed to the cattle at a time when grass is not growing naturally (i.e. the winter time in Michigan).
The cattle do not receive vaccines.
The cattle do not receive antibiotics unless they are sick. Treated animals are not sold as The North Coast Ranch beef.
The cattle are born and raised in the United States.
The cattle are processed in USDA inspected meat processing facilities in the United States.
PS - Leave me a comment below or email an answer me this question:
What hesitation, if any, do you have about buying grass-fed beef?
Jim