On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, Governor Granholm issued her proclamation for Michigan citizens to give up meat this Saturday and to promote a more vegetarian diet. Now realistically, she is promoting better health for all the citizens of Michigan. However, there are those times when the brain, the heart and the mouth don’t work in unison. This is one of those times.

I respect her First Amendment right to speak freely and voice her opinion. That’s what makes this great state in this great country, well-great. However, let’s take a look at what the repercussions are from this:

• The State Senate has wasted time discussing this and even voted on this to pass a resolution to get her to rescind her statement.
• Three of her Party’s supporters voted in favor of having the Governor rescind her statement.
• The state Republicans have another reason to not work more cohesively amidst an already lack of cooperation and increasing an already disconnect in our politics.
• Criticism towards one of the only areas of growth during our one-state recession. Agriculture had a 12% growth from the previous year.
• Isolation of the Michigan beef industry producers, processors, steakhouse owners, hamburger joints and tax payers.

Ok, so according to the CDC study that concluded in 2007, Michigan rounded out the top 10 states for obesity in the U.S. We’re big, red-meat eating people and we can’t deny it. However, are all red meats bad or perhaps moderate amounts even bad for you? And is all beef created equal?

Grass-fed beef shows distinct health advantages over corn-fed beef. We’re talking about pasture-fed from start to finish not pasture-fed and corn finished. Eatwild.com is a website that promotes pasture-fed livestock. According to their website, “A major benefit of raising animals on pasture is that their products are healthier for you. For example, compared with feedlot meat, meat from grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and goats has less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. It also has more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and a number of health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and “conjugated linoleic acid,” or CLA.”

I talked to beef famer Maynard Beery of Beery Farms of Michigan LLC, which is located outside of Lansing in Mason to comment on Governor Granholm’s proclamation. While not terribly bothered by this news, he noted, “She unfortunately just doesn’t seem to have all the facts.” Additionally, we asked Roger Phillips of Bluewater Beefmasters in Avoca, near Port Huron, what his take was. He said that he was “disappointed” and that “it was one person’s opinion.” Mr. Phillips went on to say that he sells a premium, only grass-fed beef product and that he diligently maintains in a closely-watched closed herd. He said, “This really won’t affect me,” and, “we sell out [of beef product] every year.”

Where is McDonalds in all of this? I thought for sure the clown, the world’s most recognizable face, would have protested or perhaps Mayor McCheese would have called for a summit on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. I hope the Governor won’t be surprised when her avocado and soy cheese sandwich on gluten-free rye bread is missing. If the ransom note says, “Robble-Robble,” then you-know-who has been there.

To some degree, Governor Granholm has our best health in mind. No denying it though, too much of anything is probably not good for you except childrens' laughter. Perhaps it might have been safer to suggest we all go for walk on Saturday but then the furniture and cable companies might also have a gripe.

Sources:

1. http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm
2. Interview: Maynard Beery. Beery Farms of Michigan LLC
3. Interview: Roger Phillips. Bluewater Beefmasters.
4. http://www.productcenter.msu.edu/