All of the beef we produce on our farm is 100% grass-fed and Pasture for Life assured. This is something we are incredibly proud of and has taken years for us to achieve.
Lucky for us, we had a very forward thinking father, and he started the process of converting our herd of cattle back to grass-fed year before anyone really knew the benefits to cattle and people.
Cows are ruminants and as such they should eat grass. It was only after the great wars, when there was a huge surplus of grain, that people discovered you could feed it to cattle and fatten them a lot quicker. However, what they didn’t realise was grazing animals on 100% pasture brings positive impacts for biodiversity and carbon, human health and wellbeing, and animal health and welfare.
Pasture-fed meat and milk has:
🌿Lower total fat levels than meat and dairy from grain-fed animals and is also lower in saturated fat content.
🌱It has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a lower, more balanced (and healthier) ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids
🌿Significantly higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than meat and dairy from grain-fed animals and higher levels of vaccenic acid, which can be turned into CLA
🌱Higher vitamin and mineral levels than meat and dairy from grain-fed animals.
🌿Particularly rich in vitamins A and E, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium
🌱Many of the health benefits associated with pasture-fed meat and dairy decline after only a few weeks of grain feeding.
Unless the beef you buy is certified 100% grass-fed by Pasture for Life, the chances are that grain has been fed at some point in the chain, negating many benefits.
Where you choose to spend your money matters and influences what our food systems will look like in the future. If you are buying meat then head to your local farm and buy direct or pop down to the butcher. If neither of those options are available then make sure you buy British. Farmers really need your support, now more than ever.
