Summary
This empirical study examined whether pasture-finishing of cattle on Western US rangelands produces beef with superior nutritional characteristics and reflects improved animal metabolic health compared to alternative finishing systems. The research suggests that grazing management on rangelands can influence both beef nutrient density and cattle physiological indicators, contributing to evidence on production system effects on food quality.
UK applicability
Findings from Western US rangeland systems may have limited direct applicability to UK grassland and pasture management, which operates under different climatic, botanical, and stocking intensity conditions. However, the methodological approach to linking production system to beef nutritional quality and animal health may inform UK studies on grass-fed and pasture-based beef production.
Key measures
Animal metabolic health markers; beef nutritional composition including fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
Outcomes reported
The study compared metabolic health markers in cattle and nutrient composition of beef from pasture-finished versus other finishing systems. Measurements likely included fatty acid profiles, micronutrient concentrations, and animal metabolic indicators.
Topic tags
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