Summary
This multi-year study from the North Wyke Farm Platform examined the nutritional profiles of beef produced from three prevalent temperate pasture systems in south-west England. The researchers found that whilst grass-clover systems showed marginally higher omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids than permanent pasture or monoculture grass leys, the overall nutritional quality of beef was substantially comparable across all three systems. The findings suggest that temperate pasture-based beef can be treated as a single commodity in future sustainability assessments, supporting the case for nutritional value-based rather than mass-based metrics in evaluating beef's environmental and dietary role.
UK applicability
The study was conducted at a UK research farm in England and directly assesses the three most common pasture systems in temperate UK farming. Findings are immediately applicable to UK suckler beef production and relevant to domestic food policy and sustainability claims regarding pasture-based systems.
Key measures
Fatty acid profiles (including omega-6 PUFA), mineral concentrations, vitamin E levels in beef and forage; comparison across three sward types over 2015–2017
Outcomes reported
The study analysed the fatty acid, mineral and vitamin E profiles of beef produced from three common temperate pasture systems (permanent pasture, grass-clover mix, and short-term grass monoculture) across three production cycles. A 100 g serving of temperate pasture-based beef was assessed for contribution to recommended daily nutrient intakes.
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