The Government is to seek EU approval to grant "Irish Grass Fed Beef" special status under the Union's Protected Geographical Indication Status. This means young bull beef will now be eligible to be assessed in the grass fed standard, along with steers, heifers and cows. “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. It’s also an excellent option if your budget does not allow you to get grass-fed beef on a regular basis. Irish grass-fed beef differed from U.S. grass-fed beef on the basis of evidence of feeding, in the U.S., of a synthetic vitamin E supplement. It is only during the colder winter period, when the grass stops growing, that our animals are housed. 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. Treasure Valley family ranch that specializes in Irish Dexter Grass Fed Beef, a heritage breed with excellent taste test results and smaller cuts of meat. Cattle ranching is grass-based. Grass fed has always been Ireland’s production system, said Bord Bia. Young bulls will be treated the same as other animal categories with their qualification as grass fed being dependent on meeting the criteria of the standard in relation to the proportion of grass in the diet and grazing days. Irish food board launches TV campaign to highlight grass-fed beef Posted on Oct 15, 2020 Bord Bia, the Irish food board, is launching its very first TV advert as part of a marketing campaign which aims to promote the qualities of Ireland’s grass-fed production systems. BEEF-SIG is a collaborative research project involving University College Dublin (UCD) and Teagasc (the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority). “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. The development of the grass fed standard for Irish beef has involved ongoing, active consultation between Bord Bia and key stakeholders including producer organisations and industry. 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. 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? If we compare grass-fed meat for example, to grain-fed meat, research shows that grass-fed meat has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and CLA. 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. Meat contains a mixture of fatty acids in the fat, and many of these are considered healthy fats. Read more Quality Cattle In Ireland our cattle boast a world-renowned pedigree and Ireland is a centre of excellence for m In Ireland, our animals graze the lush green pastures for the majority of their life. The Irish beef last served in the US would be old enough to drive by now, had it the necessary appendages and wherewithal. T: +353 53 93 77155 Some 80% of Ireland is covered in grass and our cattle graze this grass for up to 300 days each year. Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme (SHAS), Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS), Poultry Products Quality Assurance Scheme (PPQAS), Meat Processor Quality Assurance Scheme (MPQAS), Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS), Sustainable Assurance Farmer Feedback Report, Agri-Food Diversity & Inclusion Forum (AgDiF), Cookie Declaration & Cookie Consent Update, A minimum of 90% of an animal’s diet during their lifetime on a fresh weight basis must be grass or grass  based forages. My initial reaction to the Irish government's application to the EU for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish Grass Fed Beef was … Bord Bia’s rationale to create a grass fed standard to market Irish beef is based upon evidence from extensive research conducted with approximately 13,000 customers and consumers across Europe and in key international markets. 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. Consumers also believe that grass fed cattle lead more ‘natural’ lives outdoors and are more likely to be treated ethically. 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. An Irish beef farm has an average of 80 animals with an average of 32 hectares of fertile soil. 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 F: +353 53 93 77788 Grass fed Standard for Irish Beef. This is what makes grass-fed Irish food so unique. Why is Grass-Fed Irish Food so Unique! “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. Another important nutrient that we all need in our diet is Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Therefore, it provides assurance for what we have long known to be true: grass is intrinsic to the quality of Irish beef. We regularly talk about the ‘green image of Ireland’, but it is not an image, it is a reality that we have ‘forty shades of green’ and our grass produced meat and dairy products are special”. However, does the consumer really know what it is about grass-fed produce that is so special and unique? Professor Paddy Wall, Professor of Public Health in UCD, stresses that our health is our most valuable asset. 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). It is only during the colder winter period, when the grass stops growing, that our animals are housed. A statement on the letter from Beef Plan outlined the purpose of the meetings will be to “highlight the benefits of Irish grass-fed beef and how it would far […] Grass fed is a term that consumers are familiar with that holds positive associations as premium, natural and healthy. Amazing Grazing! Irish cattle are grass-fed, the minister said, and happily for Ireland "the fastest growing segment in the beef market in the US is actually the green beef, or grass-fed". E: Copyright Slaney Foods 2021 | Web Design by, Slaney Foods Host the team representing Ireland at the WHC in New Zealand. Hormones are also forbidden in cattle feed. “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. With this in mind, we have worked to minimise the additional information required to allow the young bulls to be assessed. Dr. Vanessa Woods, Agri-Aware – Chief Executive, Slaney Foods International uc The development of the grass fed standard for Irish beef has involved ongoing, active consultation between Bord Bia and key stakeholders including producer organisations and industry. An investment in your health is an investment in your future. 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). Research has shown that grass-fed animals have higher levels of Vitamin E compared to grain-fed animals. 9 Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Butter Joe Burke of Bord Bia outlined the market requirements for beef and the opportunities for Irish grass-fed beef. Beef in Ireland comes mainly from heifers and steers which are young animals (between around 14 and 30 months). 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. Qualifying animals must be from farms that are members of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS). It is referred to as ‘essential’, because we have to get these fatty acids from our food, as our bodies cannot manufacture them. Grass Fed on our Greenest Pastures. It’s just a question of how much. The Beef Plan Movement has recently issued a letter to three of the major retailers in the UK seeking to organise meetings with representatives from each. 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. The Irish Food Board (Bord Bia) has taken on the mission of opening new markets for Irish beef producers. 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. 11 ABUNDANT GRASSLANDS 80% of Ireland’s agricultural land is devoted to grasslands, with a yearly grass growth rate that exceeds the European average by more than a … The animals spend a minimum of 220 days per year throughout their lifetime grazing pasture in accordance with the Bord Bia Grass Fed Standard. 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. sustainable beef to be associated with grass fed cattle The research has shown that both customers and consumers from Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Poland have a preference for grass fed beef, as they believe that grass fed cattle lead more ‘natural’ lives outdoors, and are more likely to be treated ethically. 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. We supply grass fed Irish Moiled beef and Dexter beef. This is why Irish butter, such as the famous Kerrygold, has a yellow colour, compared to a more white coloured butter that you might find in other countries, where the cows are not pasture-fed. This is their natural environment where they express their natural behaviour, which is of paramount importance to both farmers who produce the food and consumers who eat it. He says “a healthy diet is essential, yet some people can sometimes give little thought to what they eat. No. Adding grass-fed butter to “regular” meat is a great and more affordable compromise. We hear a lot about the benefits of grass-fed produce in Ireland. Grass-fed beef is more nutritious. When they are housed, the main feed offered is grass silage, with some meal. As you can see, grass-fed butter trumps grain-fed butter any day of the week. They are a dual purpose breed, the male calves would be fattened as beef cattle, and the cow would also provide milk for the household. Some 80% of Ireland is covered in grass and our cattle graze this grass for up to 300 days each year. The Standard sets out the Bord Bia specification to enable classification of beef products as ‘Grass … The new Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard for Irish Beef is the world’s first independently verified standard that provides verifiable proof of the grass-fed status of each and every qualified animal. The project is funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and runs for four years from January, 1 st 2019.. 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. Furthermore, grass-fed produce is also rich in beta-carotene, which is a precursor to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is required for growth and development in humans, the maintenance of our immune system and good vision. With a greater focus on healthy eating and food provenance for a growing world population, to reach nine billion people by 2050, food awareness and education, right back to the farm, is of increasing interest and importance to the consumer. 589 likes. In some countries, animals can spend a lot of their time in intensive feedlots. In response to feedback received, Bord Bia has now formalised its proposal to adapt the scope of the standard to accommodate young bull beef. Indeed, the important attributes of grass-fed produce do not stop there, because grass is naturally rich in a number of healthy nutrients. The difference may be slight, but the result is important nonetheless – Irish grass-fed beef is better for you than the alternative. As such, eating grass-fed produce can make a contribution to our requirement for these ‘essential’ fatty acids. Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA, is known as an essential fatty acid that is found in ruminant (beef, cow and sheep) products, such as meat and milk. However, the first 9 months of an animal’s life may be spent on non-QA farms. Ireland has some of the best pastures in the world which allows us to produces the best beef. Over 80% of all Irish beef is grass fed and pasture raised according to Bord Bia. This allows for any beef product to be fully tracible from farm to fork. Grass-fed meat and butter has a unique colour, flavour and appearance due to beta-carotene coming from the grass. 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. Ryland Lower. The new Grass Fed Standard – which Bord Bia says is the ‘world’s first’ to launch on a national scale – means that Irish processors will be able to support a grass fed claim for Irish beef coming from grass fed cows. Irish cattle are grass-fed, the minister said, and happily for Ireland “the fastest growing segment in the beef market in the US is actually the green beef, or grass-fed”. PGI for Irish grass-fed beef The Bord Bia representative also confirmed that the principles enshrined within the ‘grass-fed’ beef initiative feature prominently within the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status application for ‘Irish grass-fed beef’ that was recently submitted to Brussels. When they are housed, the main feed offered is grass silage, with some meal. Anna Haugh's beef wellington using grass-fed Irish chateaubriand wrapped in braised beef boxty pancake Nothing beats cutting into a crispy, golden puff pastry with a delicious grass-fed chateaubriand inside! 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. When you next eat grass-fed Irish meat or dairy, you will know why we are so fortunate to have this unique product on our doorstep, because our grass-fed produce is natural and special and this is why it is in demand all over the world. The Irish government is asking the EU to give special recognition to "Irish Grass-Fed Beef". 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. 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. The next time you eat Irish butter, admire the colour and flavour and know why it has this unique colour and taste. Furthermore, Ireland is already strongly associated with grass fed production and the grass fed standard allow us to robustly verify claims we wish to make around our production systems. The project arises in response to the growing reputation of Irish beef internationally. Challenge yourself and try Dublin-born chef Anna's grass-fed beef wellington for the ultimate indulgence on Christmas Day. The Beef Taskforce was established by the Republic’s Government in December 2019 with the aim of reviewing beef industry price mechanisms, but more recently the group has also given its views on the application for PGI status for Irish Grass-Fed Beef. Irish Dexter Grass Fed Beef. The research highlighted a significant market demand for grass fed products. Does not allow you to get grass-fed beef '' pastures for the ultimate indulgence on Christmas Day number... 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