Pasture farming: The versatile advantages of species-appropriate and traditional animal husbandry

When shopping for meat, milk, and other animal products, you surely like to think of happy, grazing cows in expansive pastures. But in reality, the lives of most farm animals unfortunately look different. Nationwide in Germany, currently only about 30 percent of cattle have access to pastures.
Pasture farming not only has a positive effect on animal welfare, but also on the climate and meat quality. For many reasons, it is therefore worth taking a closer look when shopping.

What does pasture farming mean?

A pasture is an agricultural area that is covered with herbaceous plants such as grasses. The vegetation serves as a food source for grazing animals like cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses. Livestock are kept on pastures primarily for the production of food. From an agricultural perspective, grazing animal husbandry is the most original and thus most species-appropriate form of animal husbandry.

Grazing or pasturing allows animals to spend a large part of their lives outdoors. However, how much time they are allowed to spend on pasture each year is not clearly defined. While pasturing, they can not only consume a lot of fresh grass and other plants, but also move around freely, play with their peers, and maintain the necessary distance if needed. Additionally, they are exposed to the natural climate and can enjoy both sun and wind and rain.

Cows are steppe animals and can meaningfully use green areas that are not suitable for food cultivation for grazing. This includes areas with particularly steep terrain or wet soil, for example. Therefore, grazing areas do not necessarily lead to a reduction in agriculturally usable land.

Pasture-based farming compared to other farming systems

Currently, in Germany, only about 30 percent of livestock have the opportunity to graze; over 80 percent of cattle are kept in loose housing. This refers to barns where animals can move freely between movement, resting, milking, and feeding areas. About 10 percent of cattle live in tethered housing and thus have almost no room to move.

In Germany, since 2019, there has been the label "Haltungsform" that businesses can voluntarily place on their products. It is intended to provide you with more guidance when buying meat. There are four types of animal husbandry distinguished. While Level 1 meets the legal minimum requirements, Level 4 signifies a particularly animal-friendly husbandry with regular access to pasture.

The 4 Postures

• Husbandry form 1 means stable housing. Here, cattle have between 1.5 and 2.2 square meters of space depending on their weight. The animals have no access to fresh air. Although the use of a loose housing system is recommended, tethered housing is also permitted.
• "Husbandry system 2 means Stable Plus. In this form of cattle husbandry, each animal has up to 3 square meters of space. Therefore, there are no significant differences compared to the first husbandry system."
• "Haltungsform 3 means Outdoor Climate. Here, a free-range system with a year-round usable yard and access to fresh air is required. Each cattle has up to 4 square meters available, depending on weight. Additionally, non-GMO feed is mandatory."
• "Haltungsform 4 means Premium. Cattle have free range for 200 days a year. In the barn, each animal has up to 5 square meters of space."

The advantages of pasture-based farming

"Pasture farming is associated with numerous advantages for the well-being and the health of the animals. As a result, it also has a positive effect on the quality of meat and dairy products. Furthermore, grazing by cows is linked to positive outcomes for the climate, biodiversity, and water protection."

Effects on animal welfare

Since cattle are originally steppe animals, pasture is the habitat in which they can best express their natural behavior. The slow grazing and ruminating on pasture land allows them to feed in a species-appropriate and vitamin-rich manner and to move sufficiently. The absence of feeding with highly concentrated feed significantly reduces the metabolic burden on the animals. On the pasture, cows eat up to 12 hours a day and cover many kilometers in the process. This has a positive effect on their musculature, joints, and hooves. As a result, infections are less common.

Sun, rain, and wind also have a positive effect on the immune system and the overall well-being of cattle. Trees and shrubs provide them with the opportunity for natural body care. Additionally, the horns, which serve for body care, temperature regulation, and communication, often do not need to be removed in pasture conditions due to sufficient space. Cattle are animals with a very complex social behavior. To avoid conflicts, they require not only enough lying space and escape options but also unrestricted access to feed and water. The pasture thus offers the best conditions for a stress-free life and improved fertility and health.

Effects on meat quality

As the well-being of animals increases, the quality of meat and milk naturally improves as well. Numerous studies indicate that pasture milk and pasture meat have a better fatty acid composition compared to products from barn farming. They contain, on average, more omega-3 fatty acids and fewer trans fatty acids than products from intensive animal farming. Additionally, products from pasture farming are often richer in vitamins and antioxidants. Due to species-appropriate nutrition, regular movement, and reduced stress, the quality and taste of the muscle meat also improve.

In stall farming, animals often live in very confined spaces. This leads to a deterioration of air quality and often also to the spread of parasites, viruses, and bacteria. To avoid diseases, farmers in intensive animal husbandry often use large amounts of antibiotics. These naturally also accumulate in the beef. Since pasture animals are often healthier due to their more species-appropriate environment, fewer medications are used in pasture farming.

Effects on the climate

According to experts, pasture farming is an important foundation for environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture for cattle. Grassland stores large amounts of CO₂, thus contributing to cleaner air. Cattle excrement and grazing stimulate plant growth, allowing them to bind even greater amounts of carbon dioxide. As a result, there is also improved soil fertility and increased humus formation. Furthermore, cow dung provides habitat for numerous insects, thereby promoting biodiversity.

Sustainable grazing also shows positive effects on soil water retention as well as water purification and groundwater recharge. Grazing leads to an increase in root mass, which in turn enhances the capacity to absorb and store water. Since the microclimate of grassland can be significantly improved through grazing, the species-appropriate husbandry of cattle can make a valuable contribution to environmental protection.

Beef Jerky: High-quality dried meat from pasture-raised cattle

Our Beef Jerky is high-quality dried meat that comes exclusively from cattle raised on Austrian pastures. Since we place great importance on animal welfare, our beef comes from grass-fed rearing. As a result, the meat is leaner, contains more antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, and has a more intense flavor than meat from cattle that are grain-fed. At the same time, the animals have a significantly better life than those kept in stalls year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pasture Management

What advantages does pasture grazing offer for cattle?

"Pasture farming is the most species-appropriate and thus healthiest form of husbandry for cattle. Due to the increased outdoor access, fresh air, and vitamin-rich food, cattle in pasture farming are usually significantly healthier and more content than their counterparts in the barn."

Is pasture-raised meat healthier?

According to studies, meat from pasture-raised animals contains more healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants than meat from factory farming. Additionally, it is often less contaminated with antibiotics and other medications.

Why is meat and milk from pasture-raised animals more expensive?

Food from pasture-raised animals is often somewhat more expensive compared to products from factory farming. This is because farmers need significantly more land for the production of food and can produce smaller quantities.