Sustainability


Why the time is now for pasture-fed meat


Eleven years ago, a group of farmers met in a pub to discuss the merits of raising ruminants purely on pasture. As the debate rages on about whether meat can really be a part of healthy and sustainable diets, the now 800-strong group of farmers, along with butchers, chefs, academics, vets, and others, are out there showing us it can be.


Whether it’s flexitarian-ism, Veganuary, or a happy-animals-only policy, there’s no doubt that meat is under more scrutiny than ever. As brands rush in to offer meat alternatives awash with promises of indistinguishable flavour and texture and purported health and environmental benefits, the time has come for butchers to really showcase what meat is – or at least should be – all about. And that’s where 100% pasture-fed comes in.


What is 100% pasture-fed?


Unlike grass-fed, which could mean that the animal ate as little as 51% grass in their lifetime, 100% pasture-fed means, quite simply, that the animal was raised on a diet of 100% pasture. No cereals, grains, or other additional feeds, which often come at high environmental cost due to the need for chemicals to grow them, and carbon emissions from transporting them.


Why is the flavour better?


100% pasture-fed meat comes from a brilliant array of traditional and hardy breeds which can withstand the tough British climate, and which have eaten incredibly nutritious and diverse forage. This is the diet the animals evolved to eat, and produces meat which reflects the land it grazed, and so will taste very different depending on whether it was grazed on the moors of Exmoor or the lowlands of Scotland. So, whilst a plant-based burger might go some way to matching a bog-standard beef one raised on a uniform diet of grain, it can’t match the richness and diversity of that.


What are the health benefits?


Studies which highlight the negative health impacts of meat tend to focus on products from grain-fed animals, but the nutritional


8 ‘Butchery at Bowhouse sources their meat locally from Pasture for Life Certified Balcaskie Farms’


profile of 100% pasture-fed meat is totally different. It’s not just oily fish that provide us with the much sought-after Omega 3’s we need to stay healthy: pasture-fed meat has proven higher levels of beneficial Omega-3s, and a healthier Omega 3: Omega 6 ratio which reduces inflammation and associated health risks. It has even been shown that finishing an otherwise pasture-fed animal on grain significantly reduces these benefits, which is why 100% pasture-fed is so important.


How does it benefit the environment?


To feed 100% pasture, farmers must manage their land differently to ensure there is enough forage for 365 days of the year. That means dramatically reducing or even removing the use of fertiliser and giving long resting periods between grazing. These changes create pasture which is rich in biodiversity, from the plants that grow there to the wildlife they provide habitats and food for. They also further restore soil health and the ability of soil to absorb carbon and water. So, you get these multiple benefits, with land that provides not just food for the animals but habitats for wildlife, carbon sequestration, and flood prevention, amongst others.


What’s in it for butchers?


100% pasture-fed meat has come a long way in the last 10 years as techniques improve and evidence of the benefits grows. Demand also continues to increase, as people look for more authentic, local, environmentally friendly, healthy and delicious produce. Butchers are currently getting and giving premiums over market prices for 100% pasture-fed products, and in some cases over and above prices for organic. That doesn’t have to make it unaffordable though – we all know that plenty of cuts can be cheaper even than grain-fed meat, something which is complemented by the rise of people looking to experiment beyond the usual premium cuts.


What’s in it for butchers?


Pasture for Life certifies 100% pasture-fed meat and dairy across the country, and currently has 140 certified producers. You can head to pastureforlife.org/where-to- buy to find the supplier nearest to you, or email info@pastureforlife.org for support. As a butcher, you can also join as a member or even get certified yourself and receive POS materials and marketing support to help promote the products.


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