It is only during the colder winter period, when the grass stops growing, that our animals are housed. Given the current market difficulties arising from COVID and the continued uncertainty in relation to Brexit, it is more important than ever that the sector utilises every advantage it has to position Irish beef positively in the marketplace. Joe Burke of Bord Bia outlined the market requirements for beef and the opportunities for Irish grass-fed beef. Why is Grass-Fed Irish Food so Unique! Amazing Grazing! F: +353 53 93 77788 This allows for any beef product to be fully tracible from farm to fork. My initial reaction to the Irish government's application to the EU for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish Grass Fed Beef was … Dr. Vanessa Woods, Agri-Aware – Chief Executive, Slaney Foods International uc Some 80% of Ireland is covered in grass and our cattle graze this grass for up to 300 days each year. This means young bull beef will now be eligible to be assessed in the grass fed standard, along with steers, heifers and cows. Beef in Ireland comes mainly from heifers and steers which are young animals (between around 14 and 30 months). The Government is to seek EU approval to grant "Irish Grass Fed Beef" special status under the Union's Protected Geographical Indication Status. Qualifying animals must be from farms that are members of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS). No. In some countries, animals can spend a lot of their time in intensive feedlots. Irish Beef è una carne di grande pregio per diverse ragioni: Qualità organolettiche e nutrizionali distintive (carne color rosso borgogna e grasso color dorato, tipiche caratteristiche di una carne Grass Fed) Provenienza da allevamenti controllati e certificati Rispetto del benessere animale It's only in harsh, wet winter months that cattle might be kept in cattle sheds/barns and fed on mostly silage (preserved grass fodder). The Standard sets out the Bord Bia specification to enable classification of beef products as ‘Grass … Grass-fed beef may contain less total fat than grain-fed beef, but a lot more omega-3 fatty acids and CLA, which are both linked to health benefits. The annual average days of grass stands at 220 days with an allowance of up to 40 days where soil type or weather may prevent longer grazing seasons. Professor Paddy Wall, Professor of Public Health in UCD, stresses that our health is our most valuable asset. Hormones are also forbidden in cattle feed. Over 80% of all Irish beef is grass fed and pasture raised according to Bord Bia. It is only during the colder winter period, when the grass stops growing, that our animals are housed. The grass fed standard is built on two key criteria, namely: Bord Bia’s overriding principle in the development of the standard was not to seek any additonal information from farmers over and above what is currently collected as part of SBLAS audits. It’s also an excellent option if your budget does not allow you to get grass-fed beef on a regular basis. Grass-fed meat and butter has a unique colour, flavour and appearance due to beta-carotene coming from the grass. Irish Moiled is an ancient cattle breed from Ulster, which until the second world war was common in Northern Ireland and kept by smallholders as a house cow. It is referred to as ‘essential’, because we have to get these fatty acids from our food, as our bodies cannot manufacture them. However, does the consumer really know what it is about grass-fed produce that is so special and unique? As you can see, grass-fed butter trumps grain-fed butter any day of the week. “Irish Grass Fed Beef” is the name given to quality Irish beef from cattle raised on a grass based diet on pasture grazing farms in Ireland, which derive at least 90% of their feed intake from grass and spend a minimum of 220 days per year throughout their lifetime grazing pasture in accordance with the Bord Bia Grass Fed Standard. Ryland Lower. This evidence points to a real opportunity to use our existing grass fed strengths to create a nationally verified standard and deliver upon a clearly identified consumer desire for ethical, premium, natural and healthy beef. Therefore, it provides assurance for what we have long known to be true: grass is intrinsic to the quality of Irish beef. Read more Quality Cattle In Ireland our cattle boast a world-renowned pedigree and Ireland is a centre of excellence for m Ireland has some of the best pastures in the world which allows us to produces the best beef. When they are housed, the main feed offered is grass silage, with some meal. The Irish Food Board (Bord Bia) has taken on the mission of opening new markets for Irish beef producers. We all know that omega-3 fatty acids are healthy and we often purchase supplements or food that is fortified with omega-3 for this reason, often at a significant premium, but what about omega-3 fatty acids and CLA-Conjugated Linoleic Acid, from grass-fed produce? Grass fed is a term that consumers are familiar with that holds positive associations as premium, natural and healthy. As such, eating grass-fed produce can make a contribution to our requirement for these ‘essential’ fatty acids. 589 likes. The project is funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and runs for four years from January, 1 st 2019.. What makes Irish Beef special Grass Fed Beef Ireland has the longest grass growing season in Europe and our cattle graze outdoors on a continuous diet of fresh grass. The grass fed label will be incorporated into Bord Bia’s promotional activities for Irish beef from the autumn onwards with the aim of differentiating Irish beef from our competitors and in doing so help maximise the returns from the marketplace to the benefit of Irish beef farmers. Grass fed Standard for Irish Beef. The project arises in response to the growing reputation of Irish beef internationally. NMR analysis of urine taken at slaughter from beef cattle permitted discrimination between grass-fed beef, concentrate-fed beef and beef from animals fed a 50:50 combination of grass and concentrates. An investment in your health is an investment in your future. Grass fed has always been Ireland’s production system, said Bord Bia. Dr Vanessa Woods, Chief Executive – Agri Aware, shared with us this article which she had written with Professor Paddy Wall, to engage the consumer in the important attributes of grass fed Irish Food. This means that all animals including young bulls will be deemed as grass fed for this period regardless of whether they were on QA or non-QA farm(s). We also hear about how the food that comes from grass-fed animals has a unique flavour, colour and taste and why it allows Irish produce to be in huge demand across the globe. In Ireland, our animals graze the lush green pastures for the majority of their life. Cattle ranching is grass-based. “Irish Grass Fed Beef” is the name given to quality Irish beef from cattle raised on a grass-based diet on pasture grazing farms in Ireland, which derive at least 90% of their feed intake from grass and spend a minimum of 220 days per year throughout their lifetime grazing pasture in accordance with the Bord Bia grass-fed standard. As such, the food that comes from Irish cattle and sheep is said to be predominantly produced from grass. In our new Grass-Fed Steak Series, we’ve created four videos showing you how to get the most out of preparing and cooking four of the classic cuts: Fillet, Rib-eye, Rump and T-bone. Irish grass-fed beef is the name to be given to “quality Irish beef raised on a grass-based diet on pasture grazing farms in Ireland”, the department said. The research highlighted a significant market demand for grass fed products. 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