What Does Pasture Raised Meat Mean
You've probably seen terms like grass fed, pasture raised and free range plastered across meat packaging. But what do they actually mean? And how do you know what you're really getting?
At Our Cow, we reckon you deserve to know exactly where your meat comes from and how it's been raised. So we're breaking down what pasture raised really means, how it compares to grass fed and free range, and what to look for when choosing better meat for your family.
Pasture raised meat comes from animals raised outdoors with access to pasture, where they can graze, forage and move freely. It tells you about their living conditions, but it does not tell you everything they were fed.
Cattle raised on pasture may still receive grain. Pigs and chickens also need food beyond what they find in the paddock. Understanding the difference between pasture raised, grass fed and free range makes it easier to choose meat that matches your preferences.
What Is Pasture Raised Meat?
Pasture raised describes a farming system where animals spend their lives outdoors on grazing land, with shade, shelter and water available. The pasture gives them room to move and opportunities to express natural behaviours, such as grazing for cattle and rooting in the soil for pigs.
Maintaining that pasture takes management. Farmers may move animals between paddocks so vegetation can recover, while adjusting stocking rates to suit the available land and feed. These practices help keep pasture available rather than allowing paddocks to become bare.
The details vary between farms and certification schemes. Pasture raised does not automatically mean every producer follows the same rules for outdoor access, feeding or pasture rotation.
Pasture Raised Vs Grass Fed: What’s The Difference?
Pasture raised describes where an animal lives. Grass fed describes what it eats. An animal can be both, but one term does not guarantee the other.
For beef, the distinction is useful:
- Pasture raised beef: Cattle are raised on pasture but may receive supplementary feed, including grain.
- Grass fed beef: The claim relates to a diet of grass and forage. The wording and any certification help establish whether grain is excluded throughout the animal’s life.
- 100% grass fed and finished beef: Cattle remain on a grass and forage diet through to processing, without a grain finishing stage.
Pasture fed beef also describes feeding, with cattle eating grasses and other forage. It should not be treated as interchangeable with pasture raised, which focuses on living conditions.
Supplementary feed does not always mean grain, either. Hay and silage are preserved forage that can help feed cattle when fresh pasture is limited. If avoiding grain is your priority, look for an explicit 100% grass fed and finished claim.
Free Range Vs Pasture Raised
Free range and pasture raised both describe aspects of outdoor living, and the terms can overlap.
Free range generally refers to animals having outdoor access. Pasture raised places a more specific emphasis on access to vegetated land where animals can graze and forage.
The distinction is about the outdoor environment as well as access to it. A pasture system aims to provide plants and forage, alongside space to move. Neither term alone tells you the animal’s complete diet, and the requirements can differ between producers and certification schemes.
What Is Pastured Pork?
Pastured pork comes from pigs raised outdoors with access to pasture. They can root through soil, forage for plants and insects, and use shelters and wallows as part of their outdoor environment.
Pigs are omnivores. Unlike cattle, they cannot meet all their nutritional needs by grazing on grass, so they receive supplementary feed, often including grain. This supports their growth and health while they continue to live on pasture.
The same broad principle applies to pasture raised chickens. They forage outdoors but still need balanced feed. Grain in their diet does not contradict a pasture raised claim.
Why Our Cow Chooses Grass Fed, Grass Finished & Free Range Meat
When we started Our Cow, we wanted to make it easier for Aussie farmers to get their meat onto Australian dinner tables, and for families to feel good about where their food comes from. That's why understanding how animals are raised matters so much to us. It's about supporting our farmers, knowing what's going into your food and making informed choices about the meat you eat.
Knowing how your meat was raised should make choosing it easier. Our Cow’s beef and lamb is 100% grass fed and finished, so the animal’s diet stays grass and forage based right through to processing. Our range also includes Australian free range pork and poultry.
We support Australian farmers who prioritise animal welfare and care for the land they farm. Giving animals space to graze, forage and express natural behaviours is an important part of that approach, alongside responsible land management that supports farming for generations to come.
Want to know more about the meat you're putting on your family's table? At Our Cow, we work with Australian farmers to bring you 100% grass fed and finished beef and lamb, free range pork and chicken, delivered straight to your door.
Choose the cuts you love, build your own box and enjoy quality Aussie meat from farmers we're proud to support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pasture raised mean animals live outdoors all the time?
Outdoor living is central to pasture raised farming, but animals still need shade and shelter. They may also need temporary housing for veterinary care or protection during severe weather. The specific requirements depend on the farming system and any certification it follows.
Is pasture raised meat healthier?
How animals are raised and what they're fed can influence the nutritional profile of their meat. While pasture raised doesn't automatically mean healthier, grass fed and finished beef can have nutritional differences compared to grain fed beef, including its fatty acid profile.
At Our Cow, we're proud to offer 100% grass fed and finished beef and lamb, raised without added hormones. We believe knowing how your meat is raised, what it's fed and where it comes from is just as important as what's on your plate.
Does pasture raised mean organic?
No, pasture raised does not mean organic. Pasture raised describes how animals live, while organic production has separate requirements covering matters such as feed and farming inputs. Meat can be pasture raised without being certified organic.