Summary
This invited review examines pasture-based dairy production in temperate climate regions, synthesising evidence on the compositional and nutritional differences between grass-fed and conventional milk. The authors highlight the commercial opportunity for grass-fed dairy products but emphasise the current fragmentation of grass-fed definitions across regions, advocating for standardised, independently accredited criteria to clarify consumer messaging and enable reliable product authentication.
Regional applicability
Directly applicable to United Kingdom dairy systems, as pasture-based production is widespread in temperate UK conditions. The review's emphasis on establishing clear, unified grass-fed standards is particularly relevant to UK market positioning and regulatory harmonisation with other European producers.
Key measures
Milk nutrient profile composition; grass-fed classification criteria; environmental and animal welfare indicators; product authentication methods
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on how pasture-based dairy systems affect milk composition, nutritional profile, and environmental/welfare sustainability compared with conventional total mixed ration systems. It identifies the need for standardised grass-fed labelling criteria and authentication methods across regions.
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