Organic Beef
Organic EU beef is renowned for its exceptional quality and sustainable production practices. As consumers increasingly seek out organic products, Ireland’s organic beef industry has grown, leveraging the country’s natural grassland advantage and commitment to rigorous standards.
Irish Organic Pasture Raised Beef
Irish Organic Pasture Raised Beef is celebrated for its exceptional nutritional qualities:
- Naturally rich in protein.
- 43% lower total lipid content.
- 288% higher vitamin E content.
- 54% higher beta-carotene content.
- 30% more calcium.
What Makes Beef Organic?
- Higher standard of animal welfare. Animals must have plenty of space, both indoors and outdoors which helps to reduce stress and disease.
- Routine antibiotic use is not permitted.
- Animals must have access to pasture to graze on whenever conditions allow.
- Routine antibiotic use is not permitted.
- No synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are used.
European Organic beef production involves a beef farming system that requires the application of considered farming practices which prevent damage to the environment and priorities animal welfare. These farm practices work within natural systems and cycles at all levels from the soil to plants and animals. Without the aid of external and synthetic inputs, farmers must use the natural resources they already have on the farm and plan to prevent various issues that can arise and negatively impact the farm, such as problems caused by bad weather conditions, poor grass growth and health issues among the herd.
Having a low stocking rate on the farm is a requirement of organic farming, which means cattle have a lot more space to graze and roam the pastures. They have minimal stress allowing them to behave naturally in their environment. Since routine antibiotic use is not allowed, there is a strong focus on animal health and welfare ensuring they are in a stress-free environment with plenty of space. This allows the farmer to manage the herd’s health and help to prevent diseases. Cattle must have permanent access to organic grass and pastures whenever conditions allow. In Ireland, cattle stay outside on grass for about 8 months of the year. During the winter or when grass levels are low, organic feed such as silage (preserved grass) or organic crops such as peas, oats and barley are fed to the cattle.
Since the use of synthetic fertilisers is not allowed in organic farming, clover is incorporated into the pastures, while farmyard manure and cattle slurry (collected while the cattle are housed), are spread on the land, to maximise soil fertility.
In some European countries such as Ireland, it is possible to leave cattle out all year round if weather conditions allow, however, in the case that housing is required during the winter months, cattle require a very generous space including a dry and comfortable bedding area with straw.
