Here at Butchers Equipment warehouse, we know that quality cuts of meat produce quality dishes. That's why we recommend choosing high-quality cuts of meat from your local butcher over meat off the supermarket shelf.

The higher the quality of the meat you buy, the healthier the meat generally is for you. In recent years, grass-fed beef has gained a reputation for being the healthier, more sustainable and cattle-friendly option. It's known for having numerous benefits like being higher in nutrients and vitamins and producing leaner cuts of meat.

Luckily, most if not all of our beef here in the UK is grass-fed, unlike in America, where much of their cattle is grain-fed and even given growth hormones. Many US cows are fed unnatural diets made from corn and soy, which fattens them quickly. However, this artificial diet does affect the taste of the end product. So, what are the ins and outs of why grass-fed beef is so much better? Let’s discuss so that you know exactly what you're getting next time you go shopping for ingredients for your next beef dish.

What is grass-fed beef?

Grass-fed beef comes from cows that graze only on grass for the duration of their life. Grass has all the nutrients that cows need from protein, to fatty acids and fibre. This natural diet allows the cows to consume the nutrients and vitamins they need to be fit and healthy, which in turn makes for better-tasting and healthier beef.

Farmers must follow specific rules when sticking to grass-fed standards. Such as allowing their cows to roam freely through the grassy pastures grazing while the weather permits and, if necessary, moving the cows indoors over the winter months when there's no grass left and feeding them on a mix of dried grass known as silage or haylage.

Grass-fed beef is the healthier choice

Eating beef from cows that have been grass-fed is a better choice all around for a variety of reasons, but most importantly, it’s a lot healthier for both us, the environment and the cow. For us humans, eating grass-fed beef is an excellent source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which is great for lowering the risk of cancer, depression and high blood pressure. It also has a lower overall fat content and more antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E.

Grazing cows (or any animal) on grass also positively impacts biodiversity and carbon, as well as the animal's health and welfare. According to this study, around 40% of the world's grain is used to feed cattle. Grass-fed cows source their own food, lessening the need for cereal and grain crops and diesel-powered farming machinery, which is a step toward sustainability. That and the grasslands where the cattle graze have more carbon, and if they are well maintained, more biodiversity, too. 

Now you know all there is to know about grass-fed beef, you can make the best choice when it comes to writing your shopping list. And when it comes to preparing these premium cuts of beef, we have you covered. At Butchers Equipment Warehouse we have all the carving knives, butchers knives and chef knife sets you could need for cutting and preparing the perfect beef dish If you have any specific questions or you need any advice, feel free to call us on 01254 427761, and we’ll be happy to help however we can.