Summary
This empirical study from the North Wyke Farm Platform examined whether beef nutritional quality varies meaningfully across the three most common temperate pasture systems in the United Kingdom. Whilst subtle differences in fatty acid profiles were observed between systems—notably higher omega-6 PUFA in grass-clover beef—overall nutritional quality was found to be comparable across all three pasture types. The findings suggest that temperate pasture-based beef can be treated as a single commodity in future sustainability assessments, supporting the case for pasture systems when evaluating food production on a nutrient-density rather than mass-based basis.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK farming practice and policy, as they are based on real production data from a UK research farm across common grazing systems. The results provide evidence that UK pasture-based beef producers can confidently market beef as a consistent, nutrient-dense product regardless of specific sward type, which has implications for farm profitability and sustainability labelling.
Key measures
Fatty acid composition (including omega-6 PUFA), mineral content, vitamin E concentrations in beef and forage; recommended daily intake thresholds for micronutrients
Outcomes reported
The study analysed fatty acids, minerals, and vitamin E profiles in beef produced from three common temperate pasture systems (permanent pasture, grass-clover, and monoculture grass ley) across three production cycles. A 100 g serving of temperate pasture-based beef was evaluated as a source of key micronutrients against recommended daily intakes.
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