increase font size
NZ grass-fed beef could see an uptake under new US regulations.
OPINION: The updated US Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule for “grass-fed” or “pasture-fed” milk or meat is very restrictive.
But, if managed prudently, it could actually give New Zealand farmers a market advantage.
The rule, which was published in December 2019, will exclude a lot of our competitors, who will not be able to eliminate grain from their feed, from this valuable market.
According to the USDA “Grass Fed” or “100% Grass Fed” claims may only be applied to meat and meat product labels derived from cattle that were only (100%) fed grass (forage) after being weaned from their mother’s milk. The diet must be derived solely from forage, and animals cannot be fed grain or grain by-products and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season until slaughter.
This means 100% grass fed animals are never confined to a feedlot. Forage consists of grass (annual and perennial), forbs (e.g., legumes, Brassica), browse, or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state. Hay, haylage, baleage, silage, crop residue without grain, and other roughage sources may also be included as acceptable feed sources.”
Grass fed milk and meat are considered healthier with better taste and flavour and animals raised as grass-fed have better animal health, animal welfare and climate change outcomes. Grass fed milk and meat has a better omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio, higher levels of antioxidants, lower risk of E. coli infection and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and are, therefore, better for consumer health.
Grass fed cattle produce beef that is tender because it cooks faster due to the higher concentration of conjugated linoleic acids (unsaturated fats). The well-marbled meat, in the opinion of many connoisseurs, is better-tasting than grain-fed beef.
According to the UN FAO, rotationally grazed pastureland sequesters 50% more carbon than the equivalent area of forestry.
By increasing pasture production, we can increase carbon sequestration even further and earn significantly more carbon credits than forestry.
Zest Biotech, based in Pukekohe, has developed a pasture spray, Biozest, that is reported to significantly increase pasture productivity.
Louise and Neville Williams, certified organic dairy farmers and Ballance Farm Environmental Awards winners in Karapiro, did a trial on baleage.
The Biozest treated paddocks produced 13 bales/ha on average, the untreated control paddocks averaged just 7 bales/ha. There was a 78% increase in baleage overall.
Mike and Janelle Kelly in Orongo, near Thames carried out a similar trial and produced 12 bales/ha from the treated paddocks and 5 bales out of the untreated control paddocks. There was a 129% increase in baleage overall in the Biozest treated paddocks.
If our farmers can improve pasture productivity on this scale, they can safeguard our grass-fed brand – which is valuable in all markets. The increased carbon fixed in pasture will make a significant contribution to our climate change management obligations – increasing the likelihood that farmers will earn, rather than pay, carbon tax. It will also prevent productive land being converted to forestry.
• Nathan Balasingham is chief technical officer, Zest Biotech, Auckland.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
OPINION: Few things are more stressful for dairy farmers than running out of feed when cows need it most.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Waikato dairy farmers are well-placed heading into the peak of summer, thanks to favourable growing conditions late last year that resulted in abundant onfarm feed reserves.
In New Zealand, every dairy farmer worth their salt knows just how important it is to look after the welfare of their animals. The health of the herd directly impacts profit margins, which, in turn, determines the viability and sustainability of the farm.
The Good Carbon Farm has partnered with Tolaga Bay Heritage Charitable Trust to deliver its first project in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.
Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.
The Government says it is sharpening its focus and support for the food and fibre industry in Budget 2025.
A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.
A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.
Healthcare appears to be the big winner in this year's budget as agriculture and environment miss out.
OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".
OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global…
