We’re always open to answering questions
Buying natural meat can be confusing. With all the information out there, sometimes you just want your questions answered, plain and simple. Here are a few FAQs we’ve compiled to help you feel confident in the natural meat choices you’re making for you and your family.
What does "natural" really mean?
Any pork or beef that’s minimally processed with no artificial ingredients can be labeled as “natural.” But Open Prairie Natural Pork and Angus Beef products take it a step further. In addition to meeting the standard natural requirements, they also meet these standards:
- No antibiotics — ever
- No added hormones or growth promotants
- 100% vegetarian diet; no animal byproducts, except for milk
- No additives
- No preservatives
Never Ever means that the hogs and cattle are raised with the following requirements:
- No antibiotics — ever
- No added hormones or growth promotants
- 100% vegetarian diet; no animal byproducts, except for milk
What does Never Ever really mean?
What do the animals eat?
Animal dieticians develop special vegetarian diets for all the animals in the Open Prairie Natural Meats program. A vegetarian diet provides a healthy balance of nutrients for the welfare of the animals as they grow. This eliminates the need to include any animal byproducts and provides better flavor as an added benefit for you.
When we talk about a vegetarian diet in hogs, we always include “except for milk.” Why? Because when piglets are weaned from their mothers, they are fed a supplement that includes vitamins and minerals to help them grow. The piglets do best when these supplements are milk-based.
Hormones occur naturally in all animals — including us humans! That said, there are no additional hormones or growth promotants given to the hogs or cattle raised for the Open Prairie Natural Meats brand.
What do you mean when you say, "no added hormones"?
Are the hogs and cattle ever given antibiotics?
No, the hogs and cattle in the Open Prairie Natural Meats program are never given antibiotics. But each animal’s welfare is our priority, and we’ll never withhold our veterinarian care from them if they need it.
Along with standard vaccinations and parasite control to keep the animals healthy, veterinarians provide care to any animals that might become sick. If the veterinarian gives the sick animal antibiotics, the animal is separated from the Open Prairie Natural Meats program and moved to a conventional program where it can recover.
No. The Open Prairie Natural Meats team is dedicated to bringing better pork and beef to consumers at a reasonable price. To be labeled Certified Organic by the United States Department of Agriculture can be a costly endeavor. It is also difficult to find consistent suppliers of organic feed. Instead, we put our focus on supplying you with high-quality pork and beef from hogs and cattle raised without antibiotics and added hormones or growth promotants.
Is your product certified organic?
Is your meat non-GMO?
The hogs and cattle raised for the Open Prairie brand are not genetically modified themselves; however, we do not make a non-GMO claim because their feed may contain GMO grain. Despite this fact, studies have shown that feed containing GMO grain has no impact on either the animals’ welfare or the meat they produce.
Yes! While the hogs and cattle may have been fed grains that contain gluten or soy, their digestive systems take care of that. You’re left with meat that has no traces of gluten or soy whatsoever.
Is your meat gluten-free?
Are the cattle grass-fed?
The cattle are raised on a grass pasture. After about one year, they transition to a vegetarian diet of grains and added roughage — this diet enhances the marbling and the flavor in the meat, which means a tastier eating experience for you.
No — simply because hogs need protection from predators and extreme temperatures. Since hogs have very little hair and no sweat glands, they’re sensitive to both heat and cold. That’s why hogs in the Open Prairie Natural Pork program are kept in climate-controlled barns where they get just the right amount of food, veterinarian care and attention.
Do the hogs live on an open pasture?
What does "minimally processed" mean?
For the Open Prairie brand, minimally processed means that our pork and beef have not been altered in any material way. That means no solution enhancers, added flavors or added salt — just wholesome and delicious pork and beef.
What does "natural" really mean?
Any pork or beef that’s minimally processed with no artificial ingredients can be labeled as “natural.” But Open Prairie Natural Pork and Angus Beef products take it a step further. In addition to meeting the standard natural requirements, they also meet these standards:
- No antibiotics — ever
- No added hormones or growth promotants
- 100% vegetarian diet; no animal byproducts, except for milk
- No additives
- No preservatives
What is Never Ever?
Never Ever means that the hogs and cattle are raised with the following requirements:
- No antibiotics — ever
- No added hormones or growth promotants
- 100% vegetarian diet; no animal byproducts, except for milk
What do the animals eat?
Animal dieticians develop special vegetarian diets for all the animals in the Open Prairie Natural Meats program. A vegetarian diet provides a healthy balance of nutrients for the welfare of the animals as they grow. This eliminates the need to include any animal byproducts and provides better flavor as an added benefit for you.
When we talk about a vegetarian diet in hogs, we always include “except for milk.” Why? Because when piglets are weaned from their mothers, they are fed a supplement that includes vitamins and minerals to help them grow. The piglets do best when these supplements are milk-based.
What do you mean when you say, "no added hormones"?
Hormones occur naturally in all animals — including us humans! That said, there are no additional hormones or growth promotants given to the hogs or cattle raised for the Open Prairie Natural Meats brand.
Are the hogs and cattle ever given antibiotics?
No, the hogs and cattle in the Open Prairie Natural Meats program are never given antibiotics. But each animal’s welfare is our priority, and we’ll never hold our veterinarian care from them if they need it.
Along with standard vaccinations and parasite control to keep the animals healthy, veterinarians provide care to any animals that might become sick. If the veterinarian gives the sick animal antibiotics, the animal is separated from the Open Prairie Natural Meats program and moved to a conventional program where it can recover.
Is your product certified organic?
No. The Open Prairie Natural Meats team is dedicated to bringing better pork and beef to consumers at a reasonable price. To be labeled Certified Organic by the United States Department of Agriculture can be a costly endeavor. It is also difficult to find consistent suppliers of organic feed. Instead, we put our focus on supplying you with high-quality pork and beef from hogs and cattle raised without antibiotics and added hormones or growth promotants.
Is your meat non-GMO?
The hogs and cattle raised for the Open Prairie brand are not genetically modified themselves; however, we do not make a non-GMO claim because their feed may contain GMO grain. Despite this fact, studies have shown that feed containing GMO grain has no impact on either the animals’ welfare or the meat they produce.
Is your meat gluten-free?
Yes! While the hogs and cattle may have been fed grains that contain gluten or soy, their digestive systems take care of that. You’re left with meat that has no traces of gluten or soy whatsoever.
Are the cattle grass-fed?
The cattle are raised on a grass pasture. After about one year, they transition to a vegetarian diet of grains and added roughage — this diet enhances the marbling and the flavor in the meat, which means a tastier eating experience for you.
Do the hogs live in an open pasture?
No — simply because hogs need protection from predators and extreme temperatures. Since hogs have very little hair and no sweat glands, they’re sensitive to both heat and cold. That’s why hogs in the Open Prairie Natural Pork program are kept in climate-controlled barns where they get just the right amount of food, veterinarian care and attention.
What doe "minimally processed" mean?
For the Open Prairie brand, minimally processed means that our pork and beef have not been altered in any material way. That means no solution enhancers, added flavors or added salt — just wholesome and delicious pork and beef.