Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Grazing lambs on a low-input, multispecies pasture for an extended period has no detrimental effect on meat nutritional or sensory quality

K.E. Kliem; D.J. Humphries; S. Lignou; D.T. Juniper

Livestock Science · 2025

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Summary

This field trial investigated whether extended grazing of lambs on low-input, multispecies pastures affects the nutritional and sensory quality of meat. The authors report that such grazing systems do not detrimentally impact meat quality, suggesting compatibility between extensive, biodiverse pasture management and maintenance of product quality metrics valued by consumers and nutritionists.

UK applicability

Findings are directly applicable to UK sheep farming policy and practice, supporting the viability of low-input pasture-based systems as a sustainable intensification strategy that need not compromise meat quality — relevant to agri-environment schemes and farm resilience.

Key measures

Meat fatty acid composition, micronutrient profile, sensory quality attributes (taste, texture, palatability), possibly carcase characteristics

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated meat nutritional composition and sensory quality attributes in lambs grazed on low-input multispecies pastures for extended periods. Measurements likely included fatty acid profiles, micronutrient content, and consumer sensory assessments (flavour, tenderness, juiciness).

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Livestock product quality and farming system management
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
UK
System type
Pasture-based sheep
DOI
10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105629
Catalogue ID
NRmo3d4gae-0ad

Topic tags

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