Organic grass-fed beef does not always smell different although grass-fed beef can sometimes have a gamey and almost fish scent.
Organic grass-fed beef or grass-fed beef in general may also have a slightly different flavor due to the diet but the smell should not be all that different from non organic and non grass fed beef.
Grass-fed beef is not always organic as the term grass-fed only refers to the diet of the cattle.
Organic encompasses a broader set of standards.
Some grass fed beef may be organic if it also meets the other requirements.
But simply grass-fed beef means that the cattle were fed only grass but it does not guarantee that they were raised in organic conditions.
Certification for organic beef requires that the farmers who raise the cattle adhere to stricter rules in regard to the use of fertilizers, pesticides and antibiotics as well as the source of the feed.
You can tell if beef is organic by looking for a USDA Organic Seal on the packaging.
The USDA seal on the packaging of the organic beef indicates that the beef has been produced according to USDA regulations for organic livestock.
Organic beef is also often raised on certified organic land and fed 100 percent organic feed.
Organic beef cattle must be fed 100 percent organic feed, which can include grains and raised on certified organic land.
Organically raised cattle are also never given any antibiotics or hormones and the production of organic beef also has guidelines for animal health and welfare, ensuring that the cattle have access to the outdoors and space to move around.
The reason why organic beef is so expensive is because producing organic beef has higher production costs as well as a smaller market supply.
Producing organic beef requires more labor, land and time and the animals are not treated with any hormones or antibiotics which leads to slower growth and potentially higher mortality rates of the cows.
In addition, the demand for organic beef can exceed the supply and further drive up the price.
Although organic beef is sometimes not bought by as many people as non organic beef which also can drive up the cost.
The more of the product they can sell the lower the price they can charge in some cases.
Organic farmers also have to ensure that their animals are raised on pasture, which takes more time and space to manage.
And because organic beef is not treated with antibiotics or hormones it can lead to slow growth rates of the cows when compared to traditional beef, which also means that it takes longer for the cows to reach their market rate and it also increases the production cost of the organic beef.
Organic feed, like certified organic grass and grains is also often more expensive than non organic feed, which further increases the cost of the production of organic beef and increases the sale price of the organic beef.
Organic farming for organic beef also practices as well as prioritizes welfare of the cows, which can also involve more stringent requirements for the welfare of the cows and handling of them, which leads to higher costs.
And the demand for organic beef is often high as well and the supply can be limited, which creates a price premium for organic beef.