Meat Quality
Nutritional Benefits of Pasture-Raised Beef Cattle
A. Better Fat Quality
B. Less saturated fat, more heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats
C. Increase in Vitamins
Lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fats
► Omega-6 fats are considered more inflammatory than omega-3 fats
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Research suggests a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats may improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer
► Replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats is associated with reduced blood levels of total and LDL Cholesterol.
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Studies suggest that replacement reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, and related deaths
Higher levels of antioxidants: vitamin E and β-carotene
► Vitamin E and β-carotene protect cells from damage due to free radicals.
► β-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A and is critical for vision health.
Compared to grain-fed beef; beef from cattle raised 100% on pasture has:
A. 3 times more Omega-3 fats
B. 60% lower omega-6: omega-3 ratio
C. 1.5 times higher poly-unsaturated: saturated fat
D. 3 times more Vitamin E
E. 1.5 times more beta-carotene
Feeding Plan is Quality
Beef quality is influenced by many factors such as an animal's genetics, age, breed, location, and most importantly- animal’s diet. Cattle are a type of ruminant animal. Ruminants have a stomach with four compartments, the largest of which is called the rumen. The rumen is a fermentation chamber where fibrous grasses are digested by bacteria to produce high quality protein i.e., meat. Forages are the edible parts of plants other than grain which include pasture vegetation and grasses. They are good sources of beneficial omega-3 fats. In contrast, grains such as corn are dominated by more inflammatory omega-6 fats. Due to the way cattle digest their food, they can convert the beneficial fat and nutrients in plants into more nutritious meat for people to eat.
In essence, pasture-raised animals produce nutritionally superior food for people. In addition to the nutritional advantages, there are many animals’ welfare and environmental benefits associated with pasture-based animal agriculture. Please consider supporting your local family farmers who raise their animals humanely on grass and well-managed pasture.