Journal
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
Volume 104, Issue 7, Pages 7364-7382Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19776
Keywords
grass-fed; dairy; pasture; animal welfare; sustainability
Funding
- Food for Health Ireland (FHI)
- Enterprise Ireland (Dublin, Ireland) [TC/2018/0025]
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Pasture-based dairy production systems have different nutrient profiles and potential nutritional benefits compared to conventional milk, making them attractive to consumers. However, competition in the market for grass-fed dairy products is increasing, highlighting the need for clear and independent standards to define what constitutes as grass-fed.
Grazing pasture is the basis for dairy production systems in regions with temperate climates, such as in Ireland, New Zealand, parts of Australia, the United States, and Europe. Milk and dairy products from cows on pasture-based farms predominantly consuming fresh grazed grass (typically classified as grass-fed milk) have been previously shown to possess a different nutrient profile, with potential nutritional benefits, compared with conventional milk derived from total mixed ration. Moreover, pasture-based production systems are considered more environmentally and animal welfare friendly by consumers. As such, there is significant potential for market capitalization on grass-fed dairy products. As competition in this space increases, the regulations of what constitutes as grass-fed vary between different regions of the world. With this in mind, there is a need for clear and independently accredited grass-fed standards, defining the grass-fed criteria for labeling of products as such, subsequently increasing the clarity and confidence for the consumer. This review outlines the numerous effects of pasture production systems on dairy product composition, nutritional profile, and sustainability, and highlights potential future methods for authentication.
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