Country Natural Beef Rancher Families Announce the Launch of Oregon Country Beef: Pacific Northwest Non-GMO Project Verified Beef

Country Natural Beef cooperative ranchers are excited to announce the launch of our Oregon Country Beef product line. Our Oregon Country Beef is fully Non-GMO Project Verified from birth. This new attribute builds upon our existing high standards: raised on family ranches belonging to our Pacific Northwest centered cooperative, a focus on environmental stewardship through our GrazeWell standards, and animal welfare standards that follow Global Animal Partnership and RaiseWell standards.

The launch of the Oregon Country Beef line will bring clarity to the different attributes of Country Natural Beef product offerings and is a return to the roots of the cooperative for participating retail locations.

We are proud to make a non-GMO commitment though this line of beef and pleased to be able to respond to consumer demand for transparency and GMO avoidance.

We welcome your questions and comments on this new product line. Additional information including locations where Oregon Country Beef is sold can be found at www.OregonCountryBeef.com. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Alan Kartchner at 541-573-1133 or nongmo@countrynaturalbeef.com with any questions.

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What is a GMO?

A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism, or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using scientific techniques like gene splicing, gene modification, or transgenic technology.

Where are GMOs found?

To date, GMOs are primarily found in packaged foods and animal feeds that contain corn, soy, canola, and sugar beet. New GMO crops are being added, including produce like papaya and summer squash.

Are animals genetically modified?

There are no genetically modified livestock (e.g., cattle, pigs, poultry, etc.) approved for human consumption. Oregon Country Beef ranchers do not raise any genetically modified animals on our ranches.

What does "Non-GMO Project Verified" mean?

Oregon Country Beef is Non-GMO Project Verified from birth. The Non-GMO Project verification confirms that our beef is "Beef Raised & Fed A Diet in Compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard for Avoidance of Genetically Engineered Ingredients." This standard ensures the following:

  • The entire lifespan of the animal – from birth to feedlots to processing – can be traced and verified.
  • Cattle are raised on feed that has been tested to be non-GMO. All non-GMO feed is segregated and kept separate from GMO feed.
  • Cattle are raised on a 100 percent vegetarian diet.

The full Non-GMO Project Standard can be found here.

Who does the verification?

The Non-GMO Project third-party verification is conducted by IMI Global, a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc. As the most rigorous verification program for GMO avoidance in North America, the Non-GMO Project is the only program requiring ongoing testing for major GMO risk ingredients and third-party transparency. The Non-GMO Project's Butterfly verification mark reflects the transparency consumers are seeking.

What do Oregon Country Beef Cattle eat?

Oregon Country Beef cattle start their lives on pasture. Cattle are raised on pastures and rangeland for most of their first 14 to 18 months. To ensure a consistent, year-round supply, however, all of our cattle go through a finishing period of about 120 days at a finishing facility. Cattle receive a nutritionally balanced ration of wheat, barley, and potatoes. Corn is not used in the finishing diet of Oregon Country Beef.

Are Oregon Country Beef cattle given antibiotics or hormones?

No. We never use antibiotics or hormones in cattle produced for Oregon Country Beef or Country Natural Beef.

How are Oregon Country Beef cattle treated? Are they happy?

Respect for all life is a core value of our ranchers. Each ranch practices humane, compassionate livestock handling. Our commitment to animal husbandry is so great, that we even have third-party auditors visit our ranches to verify that our cattle are properly managed and handled according to the Global Animal Partnership standards. IMI Global, a trusted third-party auditor, performs these audits at each ranch.

All suppliers of Oregon Country Beef are audited and held to the Global Animal Partnership Step 1 requirements, which require "no cages, no crates, no crowding." More information on the GAP Standards can be found at here. Learn more about IMI Global, our third party auditor, here.

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