Raising The Steaks

With so much scrutiny on the meat industry, particularly around the ethics that concern how animals are reared and slaughtered, it is difficult to know what to believe. Johannesburg-based Bull & Bush Meat Merchants aim to de-bunk some of the industry myths through transparent, traceable and sustainable practices

- Robyn Timson Moss

Chris Paulsen grew up on a cattle farm in Vryheid, KZN, and, after a number of years of study and experience in different fields, he returned to work for his father, Butch. Recognizing that his son had developed a real passion for the industry and want to help him harness his potential, Butch encouraged Chris to start a meat-supply business. Thus, Chris founded Bull & Bush Meat Merchants in 2015 with purist and idealistic viewpoints: he wanted to change the way we buy meat in this country. “We produce some of the best beef in the world, but SA’s system is one of classification that doesn’t speak to the quality of the beef. It is graded only on the age and fat content of the animal, whereas in the USA or Australia, the grading systems have a lot of other criteria like the quality of the farm and farming practice, the breed, pH, marbling, age, etc.”

Chris planned to change this by supplying the best meat the country has to offer based on the principles of quality that are so often overlooked. His determination was doubly fuelled by a personal health journey: 10 years ago, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Having always followed the small-town lifestyle he grew up with, food was food and you ate what you were given. “Having a cheeseburger, pie, and Coke for breakfast followed by an Eno two minutes later was not considered a problem.” After his diagnosis, Chris carried out an intense study of food and how it works in the body. He firmly believes that most of our health conditions are directly proportionate to what we eat. Chris’s search for a healthy life while living with diabetes has raised his consciousness and changed the way he lives; his diagnosis quite literally saved his life, gave it meaning and opened his eyes.