Summary
This field-based study used whole-system datasets from the North Wyke Farm Platform to evaluate the nutritional quality of beef from three common temperate pasture systems over three years. Whilst subtle differences in fatty acid profiles were observed between systems (notably higher omega-6 PUFA in grass–white clover beef), the overall nutritional quality was largely comparable across all systems. The findings suggest that temperate pasture-based beef can be treated as a single commodity in sustainability assessments, supporting the paradigm that nutritional density should be prioritised over mass-based carbon footprints in food system evaluation.
UK applicability
This research is directly applicable to UK beef production, being conducted at a UK research facility and examining the three most common pasture systems in temperate regions including the United Kingdom. The findings provide evidence that different UK pasture management approaches deliver comparable nutritional outputs, informing both farm management and sustainability policy frameworks.
Key measures
Fatty acid profiles (including omega-6 PUFA), mineral content, vitamin E concentration; comparison across permanent pasture (PP), grass and white clover (GWC), and monoculture grass ley (MG) systems
Outcomes reported
The study analysed the nutritional value (fatty acids, minerals, and vitamin E) of beef produced from three common temperate pasture systems over three production cycles (2015–2017). A 100 g serving of temperate pasture-based beef was assessed for its contribution to recommended daily intakes of key nutrients.
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