Passel Hills Farm

A personal account of the benefits of locally sourced Non-GMO feed for pastured chickens and pork.

I am writing on this subject to encourage you to do your own research on the matter. My desire is for you to become more intrigued by this topic to do more research.

Last spring, we transitioned to 100% non-GMO feed on the farm. I personally did it more as a selling point than anything. However, I became a believer of the benefits for non-GMO feed with the effect it had on my body.

For as long as I can remember, I have had an allergy to eggs, particularly the yolk. I could eat egg whites without any adverse effects. Megan and I transitioned our laying hens, those we keep for our eggs, to non-GMO feed. After a few weeks, I decided to try an egg. Megan chuckled at me and stated she had been sneaking them in my baked oatmeal for a few weeks to see if I noticed any difference. To say that I was shocked was an understatement! I don’t have an issue eating anything with eggs in it…as long as the hens are fed with non-GMO feed.

Non-GMO crops are sprayed with glyphosate which is an active ingredient in Round-Up, Modern agricultural practices rely heavily upon glyphosate. In the spring, farmers spray the fields with glyphosate to kill all the weeds and the cover crop that was planted in the fall. Next, the seed is planted using a seed drill which disturbs the least amount of soil possible. Planting with seed drills have greatly reduced the erosion from plowing. This is the reason the ground needs to be sprayed with glyphosate.

GMO crops allow for glyphosate to be sprayed on the field to kill the weeds. Corn is usually sprayed 2 times during the growing season. This greatly reduces labor and soil erosion. However, the crop is being sprayed with a toxic chemical. Does glyphosate cause cancer and other health issues? I suggest that you perform your own research on that matter. This is primarily a personal testament about why I believe it has an effect on me.

Non-GMO crops cannot be sprayed with glyphosate. That’s the main difference between Non-GMO and GMO. The nature of GMO crops has caused some concern with effects beyond just the glyphosate. I will acknowledge that concern but not address it in this writing. (Again, do your own research on the matter.) Pesticides can still be used on non-GMO crops. That is why some people try to source organic feed which has not been sprayed with pesticides. However, a consistent local organic feed source does not exist as the market is not there.

At Passel Hills Farm, we will continue to use non-GMO feed which provides our customers with a quality product. Try our pastured chicken and pork for yourself. The feed makes the difference. Taste it for yourself!