A guide to choosing 100% grass-fed lamb
NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF LAMB
Lamb is a tender, succulent, and flavorful meat that comes from young sheep, typically less than one year old.
It is a protein-rich and nutrient-dense food that is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the key nutrients that can be found in lamb:
1. Protein
Lamb is an excellent source of protein. A 3-oz serving of lamb provides approximately 23 grams of protein, almost half of the recommended daily intake for an average adult.
2. Essential Amino Acids
Lamb is also a rich source of essential amino acids – the acids the body cannot produce on its own and must obtain through food. Lamb is particularly high in leucine, an essential amino acid that plays a vital role in muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. In addition to leucine, lamb also contains other essential amino acids, such as lysine, histidine, and methionine.
3. Iron
Lamb is a fantastic source of heme iron – the most absorbable form of iron that can only be found in animal sources. It contains more iron than many other protein sources such as chicken or fish. A 3-oz serving contains approximately 15% of the daily recommended intake.
4. Vitamin Bs
Lamb is an excellent source of vitamin B12, providing approximately 45% of the daily recommended intake in just 3 ounces of meat. It’s also loaded with other essential B vitamins, including vitamin B6, niacin (vitamin B3, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
5. Zinc
Lamb is packed with immune-boosting zinc, with just 3 ounces providing 30% of the recommended daily value.
6. Fatty acids
Lamb has been described as “land salmon” because of its omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. According to Janet McNally from the Graze magazine, when lambs were finished on a blend of kale, turnips, tillage radish, ryegrass, hairy vetch, and red cover in their final 70 days, they could yield 2147 mg Omega 3 per 6 oz. serving – that’s 18 times higher than pork, 13 times higher than chicken’s, and 15 times higher than grass-fed beef. Their omega 6 to omega 3 ratio became as high as 0.77/1 in comparison to the ratio for pork at 23.8/1, chicken at 13.8/1, and grass-fed beef at 4.81/1.
7. Calcium and phosphorus
Lamb is also an excellent source of both calcium and phosphorus. A 3-ounce serving of lamb provides approximately 10% of the daily recommended intake of calcium and 15% of the daily recommended intake of phosphorus.
CHOOSING THE BEST LAMB
While lamb can be a great addition to a healthy diet, not all lambs are created equal. Consumers need to understand what to look for when choosing lambs.
LOOKING FOR LAMBS FROM REGENERATIVE FARMING
Regenerative farming is a method of farming that aims to mimic nature’s way of growing plants and animals. This approach involves promoting plant and tree diversity, using no-till techniques for planting, and implementing rotational grazing for animals. By allowing grasslands to grow tall and animals to graze on fresh grass periodically, carbon is sequestered, soil is enriched, organic matter is increased, watersheds are improved, and hydrologic function is restored. The symbiotic relationship enables plants, microbes, insects, and wildlife to coexist and thrive in the ecosystem.
Sheep are excellent livestock for implementing regenerative farming practices. According to the rancher and veterinarian Alan McAnelly, sheep are perfectly suited for grazing pastures due to their digestive systems and their ability to utilize water efficiently. They are better than any other livestock for consuming all types of weeds. Regenerative farming, thus, creates numerous benefits for sheep, such as:
a. Reduced stress
By allowing them to graze freely in a natural environment, sheep experience reduced stress levels, which can lead to better overall health.
b. Diverse diet
Sheep prefer a diverse diet and regenerative farming provides just that. With the ability to graze on a wide variety of weeds such as clover, sorghum-Sudangrass, spring oats, and winter rye grass, sheep receive a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
c. Reduced need for antibiotics
In regenerative farming, the focus is on prevention rather than treatment. The natural environment, the diverse diet, and the access to clean water and fresh air all contribute to a stronger immune system for the sheep. The sheep thus become better equipped to fight off infections naturally, without the need for antibiotics and other veterinary treatments, which ultimately leads to healthier sheep and a more sustainable farming ecosystem.
When options are available, go for the lambs from regenerative farming.
LOOKING FOR 100% GRASS-FED LAMBS
100% grass-fed lambs are those that have been raised entirely on grass and forage without any grains in their diet. They are considered to be the healthiest choice based on several considerations.
Firstly, 100% grass-fed lambs produce nutritiously superior meat. Compared to grain-fed lambs, they have up to 3 times more omega-3 fats, 2 times more long-chain omega-3s, almost 1.8 times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an 85% lower omega-6:omega-3 ratio, 1.7 times higher polyunsaturated: saturated fat ratio, 2.3 times more vitamin E, and 1.4 times more vitamin A.
Secondly, 100% grass-fed lamb has a superior taste and texture compared to grain-fed lamb. Their natural diet of grass and forage creates a more flavorful meat. Besides, grass-fed lamb is normally leaner, making it a healthier and more satisfying alternative relative to grain-fed lamb.
Lastly, 100% grass-fed lamb is free from antibiotics and growth hormones, ensuring that the meat is pure and natural.
As such, 100% grass-fed lamb is an ideal choice for consumers who prioritize the quality and safety of their meat.
KNOWING THE SOURCE OF THE LAMB
In the United States, there are three major sources of lamb: domestic, New Zealand, and Australian. Among them, domestic sheep production is mainly concentrated in states such as Texas, California, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, which collectively produce over two-thirds of American lambs. These lambs are primarily raised for meat consumption and are typically pasture-raised and grain-finished. As a result, American lamb tends to be milder and less funky in flavor, tender in texture, and larger in size than lambs from Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand and Australian lambs are typically smaller in size. They spend their entire lives grazing on grass, which can result in a more intense gamy flavor that some people may find unappealing. Additionally, they tend to be lower in fat, making them more challenging to cook properly, especially the legs, which tend to dry out. New Zealand lamb is strictly grass-fed, while Australian lamb is mostly grass-fed. The carcass size of an Australian lamb is smaller than American lamb but larger than New Zealand lamb. It is also worth noting that both countries raise dual-purpose sheep for wool and meat production, so lamb meat production is a by-product.
In the end, the decision to choose between lambs from America, New Zealand, or Australia is a matter of personal preference. Be aware of the differences and know what to expect.
LOOKING FOR THIRD-PARTY-VERIFIED LABELS FOR LAMB
Consumers can also look for third-party-verified labels to enable them to make the right choices. The presence of a third-party-verified label would indicate that an independent organization has audited the farm and confirms that this farm has adhered to the practices specified by the label.
Here are some examples of third-party-verified labels for lamb:
a. Certified Grassfed by the Animal Welfare Approved
This label certifies that the farm has met the animal welfare standards set by the non-profit organization A Greener World. The standards require 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised lambs, no hormones, no antibiotics unless animals are sick, and humane slaughter.
b. Certified Grassfed by the American Grassfed Association (AGA):
This label certifies that the farm has been audited by the AGA, which would confirm that the lambs were 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised. No hormones or antibiotics have ever been administered to these lambs.
c. Global Animal Partnership (GAP):
This label certifies that the farm has been audited by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) with its 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating System. This system requires that the sheep are treated with no hormones and antibiotics, not confined to cages or crates, and not physically altered. They can live continuously on pasture with access to shelter and reside on a single farm for their entire lives.
By choosing lambs with these third-party-verified labels, consumers can be confident that the lambs were raised and processed as the producers have claimed.
In conclusion, while lamb can be a nutritious and delicious food, customers need to do their own research and understand what to look for when choosing lamb. By making informed choices, customers can enjoy all the benefits that lamb has to offer, while also supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices.
DISCLAIMER
This article is for informational purposes only. None of the information on this page constitutes or is intended to convey medical or purchasing advice. All statements and opinions are solely the expression of the author and are provided on an as-is basis. All readers/viewers of this article are advised to conduct their own research to verify the accuracy and relevancy of the information provided in this article. GenuiVn LLC is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness.