Why Choose Non-GMO?!
What Does Non-GMO Feed Really Mean — And Why It Matters
When you see the term non-GMO on a bag of feed, you should know it’s not just a label.
It’s a decision about how your animals are fed—and ultimately, the quality of the food that ends up on your table.
What “Non-GMO” Actually Means
Non-GMO stands for non–genetically modified organism.
In simple terms, it means the ingredients in your feed have not been genetically altered at the DNA level in a lab to produce specific traits.
Instead, these ingredients are:
- Grown using traditional breeding methods
- Closer to their natural form
- Selected for quality and consistency
It’s a more straightforward approach to feeding—built on ingredients you can recognize and trust.
Why Some Crops Are Sprayed With Herbicides
To understand the bigger picture, it helps to look at how certain crops are grown.
Some crops are designed to tolerate herbicides like glyphosate (commonly known as Roundup).
This allows farmers to:
- Control weeds more efficiently
- Reduce the need for mechanical tillage
- Manage large-scale fields more easily
In these systems, herbicides are used to eliminate competing plants so the crop can thrive.
Where Concerns Come In
Some farmers and families choose non-GMO ingredients because they want to limit exposure to chemical inputs used in conventional growing systems.
Residue Awareness
When herbicides are used, trace residues can remain on harvested grains. These are regulated, but some prefer to minimize them—especially in long-term feeding programs.
Soil Degradation
Commonly used herbicides may also negatively affect the microorganisms in the soil, damaging the nutrients in the soil.
GMOs and nutrition - The Non-GMO Project
Ongoing Research and Differing Views
There is ongoing discussion around long-term exposure to herbicides like glyphosate:
- The World Health Organization’s cancer research arm (IARC) has classified it as “probably carcinogenic” in certain contexts
It is better to be on the cautious side! To protect your animals AND especially your family.
Cumulative Exposure
Animals consume feed daily—and families consume the products from those animals.
Some choose non-GMO as a way to reduce overall, long-term exposure to inputs used in conventional crop systems.
Potential health impacts of GMOs - The Non-GMO Project
Why Avoid Corn and Soy in Feed?
In addition to being non-GMO, many feeds choose to avoid corn and soy altogether—and for good reason.
Heavy Reliance in Modern Feeding
Corn and soy are two of the most commonly used ingredients in animal feed.
While they provide energy and protein, relying heavily on just two ingredients can:
- Limit dietary diversity
- Oversimplify nutrition
- Miss opportunities for a more balanced approach
Commonly Genetically Modified Crops
A large percentage of corn and soy grown today are genetically modified and often tied to herbicide-tolerant systems.
For those looking to reduce exposure to those systems, avoiding corn and soy becomes a straightforward way to do it.
Supporting a More Diverse Diet
Removing corn and soy opens the door to:
- Multiple protein sources
- A wider range of grains
- More varied nutrient profiles
This helps better reflect the kind of diverse diet animals naturally thrive on.
Fat Balance and Nutritional Approach
Corn- and soy-heavy diets tend to be higher in certain omega-6 fatty acids.
By moving away from those ingredients, feed formulations can be adjusted to support:
- More balanced fat profiles
- Improved overall nutrition
- Better alignment with long-term animal health goals
Why It Matters for Your Animals
Animals thrive when their diet supports how they were designed to eat.
Choosing non-GMO, corn- and soy-free feed (such as Red Bridge Feed Co. products!) supports that in a few key ways:
A More Natural Diet
- Whole grains
- Diverse protein sources
- Balanced nutrition, such as more Omega 3’s and less of the inflammatory Omega 6’s.
- Corn and soy are major contributors to creating a diet higher in omega 6's, which are very inflammatory, therefore causing a whole host of health problems.The Importance of Maintaining a Low Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio for Reducing the Risk of Autoimmune Diseases, Asthma, and Allergies - PMC
Digestive Support
A thoughtfully built feed supports:
- Efficient digestion means less waste out the backside
- Better nutrient absorption
- Consistent energy levels
Consistent Nutrition
A steady, high-quality diet supports:
- Reliable production of eggs, meat and milk
- Strong overall condition, immunity and physically
- Long-term health
Why It Matters for the Food You Eat
If you’re raising animals for eggs, meat, or milk, feed choices don’t stop at the barn.
They carry all the way through to your plate.
So, the old saying is true! You are what you eat!
Peace of Mind
For many families, it comes down to this:
Knowing what’s going into your animals—and ultimately your food.
The Bottom Line
Non-GMO feed is about more than a label.
It’s about choosing:
- Ingredients that stay closer to their natural form
- A more diverse and balanced nutritional approach
- Greater control over what goes into your food system
- Non-inflammatory ingredients
Because every egg, every gallon of milk, every pound of meat—
Starts with what goes into the feeder. Here is our lineup of feed products that you can trust!
Product Overview – Red Bridge Feed Co.
Healthy Feed. Healthy Food. Healthy Family.
