Dakota Beef Frequently Asked Questions

1. Isn’t organic beef the same thing as natural beef?

2. Are Dakota Beef’s cattle grass-fed?

3. Does Dakota Beef feed its cattle genetically modified organisms?

4. Is Dakota Beef certified organic by the USDA?

5. I can't find Dakota Beef at my local grocer. How can I order your products?

6. How should I store Dakota Beef?

7. Is organic beef better for you?

8. How are Dakota Beef’s cattle raised?

9. How can I get my butcher to carry Dakota Beef?

1. Isn’t organic beef the same thing as natural beef?

No. The USDA's current definition of "natural" beef could apply to just about any piece of meat you'll find in your local grocery store. As long as it doesn't contain any artificial preservatives and has only been minimally processed (i.e. ground), it can carry the "natural" label. When you buy beef with the "natural" label, you could be inadvertently buying beef from huge factory feed lots that may have been given growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics. Beyond claims made on the packaging, there is no guarantee their feed is free of potentially harmful pesticides.

Organic, on the other hand, is a verifiable promise that the beef you are buying is guaranteed to be free of growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics and that the feed the cattle have been given is certified organic. In addition, organic livestock have virtually unlimited access to pasture and receive the most humane treatment possible. If it carries the USDA Organic seal on the label, you can trust the beef you are buying is 100% organic.

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2. Are Dakota Beef’s cattle grass-fed?

The term grass-fed refers to cattle that have never been fed any grains. For the majority of their lives, Dakota Beef’s cattle are raised on certified organic pasture. Dakota Beef cattle are finished on a propietary diet of organic grains that increases the amount of marbling in the meat to increase the flavor and tenderness. We believe the flavor is far superior to strictly grass-fed cattle and we invite you to taste for yourself!

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3. Does Dakota Beef feed its cattle genetically modified organisms?

No. The National Organic Program strictly prohibits the use of GMOs as feed for certified organic animals. To make sure that none of our feed is tainted by GMOs, we conduct random tests of all of the grain that is delivered to our ranchers to make sure the crops have not been pollinated by GMO crops.

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4. Is Dakota Beef certified organic by the USDA?

The USDA itself does not directly certify any organic food production company. Instead, the certification process is handled by agencies who have been approved by the USDA. Dakota Beef is certified organic by International Certification Services, based in Madina, N. D. To learn more about the company, visit its website at www.ics-intl.com

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5. I can't find Dakota Beef at my local grocer. How can I order your products?

It's as easy as visiting our online store at www.dakotaorganic.com. Dakota Beef is shipped fresh for overnight delivery. Each order is placed in a cooler along with frozen gel packs to keep the temperature below 40º F. The cooler is then placed in a cardboard box to ensure that the cooler remains sealed during transit. If you find that your order does not meet your expectations, call us at 605-772-5669 and let us know.

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6. How should I store Dakota Beef?

Dakota Beef’s products are vacuum-sealed and are never frozen. Each package should have a "use or freeze by" date. When you receive the box, remove the meat immediately and place it in your refrigerator. If you break the seal, it should be prepared and enjoyed within three days. If you don’t plan to use it soon, Dakota Beef can be frozen for up to six months.

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7. Is organic beef better for you?

While we can't make a blanket claim that organic food is better for your body, we believe when you choose organic beef, you are selecting a product that is guaranteed to be free of pesticides, growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics. There is also an overwhelming amount of evidence that organic products are better for the environment. Instead of applying harsh chemicals to the land to fertilize our fields, our cattle are born and raised on certified organic pasture that must be free from chemicals for at least three years. We believe the choice is clear. Our livestock are never given antibiotics or hormones and their diet is all vegetarian and free from potentially harmful pesticides.

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8. How are Dakota Beef’s cattle raised?

All of Dakota Beef’s cattle are born and raised on certified organic farm land. They're raised in accordance with the strict guidelines set forth by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) standards. The cattle are moved to within 90 miles of our processing plant in Howard, S.D. for finishing.

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  9. How can I get my butcher to carry Dakota Beef?

There are two ways. First, ask your butcher why he or she is not carrying certified organic beef. Don’t be mislead by anyone who tells you there’s no difference between organic and natural. You already know there is, and if questioned, point that butcher towards our website.

Secondly, let us know! Dakota Beef is always looking for new locations to carry organic beef. If we're not in your favorite store, let us know and let the store know you'd like them to carry Dakota Beef 100% Organic.

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Do you have questions that weren't answered here? Please ask us! Submit your questions to info@dakotaorganic.com