Over 90% of Australian lambs are grassfed. While most of the remaining are grain assisted with access to grain in the paddock, a smaller number have been finished on a nutritionally balanced, high-energy ration for a specified minimum number of days. Australian organic lamb is raised as nature intended.
Lamb that is raised on a diet of grass have a more intense pastoral flavor than those raised on a diet of grain. Lamb from Australia and New Zealand is pasture fed on mixed grasses and American raised lamb is first fed a diet of grass but finishes on grain.
In Australia, the vast majority of cattle are grass-fed, but in the US, they tend to be grain-fed. Grain-fed cattle in the US are mostly fed on corn and soy. This feeding regime leads to beef that has a consistently buttery flavour and mouthfeel.
Meat from sheep slaughtered after that age is called mutton. Spring lamb is young lamb that has not been fed grass or grains. Because lamb is slaughtered at an early age, it is quite tender and can be prepared by almost any cooking method.
Australian Lamb is the #1 source of quality lamb in the US. Lamb from Down Under has the all-natural advantage. It's free-range and naturally fed on our abundant pasturelands, so it's mild tasting and naturally lean and tender. A pure product of its pure environment.
Selected to high standards, our livestock are raised on the open pastures in Tasmania and selected for exceptional quality. Our lamb is grass fed, raised without antibiotics, and can be traced all the way back to the farm. So you can feel confident you're getting consistently great taste and quality, every time.
Today Aussie lamb is also raised for consumption to a specific size and weight which produces a quality product that is less expensive than American domestic lamb. It is of a medium size and resembles that of American lamb the most.
Selected to high standards, our lambs are born and raised in pastures across farms in North-East Tasmania. Our farmers work with nature to produce great tasting, quality lamb. Coles works with our Tassie farmers to achieve this high level of quality.
New Zealand lamb is grass fed throughout its life, unlike American lamb which is often grain finished to encourage larger size and higher body fat percentage. New Zealand lambs are smaller in size, because they were allowed to grow and develop the way nature intended.
The current average time cattle spend in Australian feedlots is 105 days. Grass fed beef finished in feedlots represents approximately 50% of beef produced in Australia.
GLOBAL burger chain giant McDonald's has launched a certified grassfed beef burger in the Australian market, under a limited-time offer. The new grassfed offering under the company's premium burger line-up is made from 100 percent Australian grassfed beef, the company said in a statement.
In order to differentiate what is truly grass fed beef from this less authentic product, consumers interested in truly grass fed beef should look for beef labeled 100% grass fed, as this indicates that these animals were raised on grass for their entire life after they were weaned from their mother.
Organic livestock must be pasture fed (e.g. eat the grasses in the paddocks) or fed on seed/grain that is also (certified) organic (e.g. grown without pesticides and herbicides and is grown environmentally consciously). Organic standards apply even after the animals have left the farm.
Are lamb and beef free-range? Most sheep and beef products in Australia come from animals that were born and raised in extensive (outdoor) environments, so they can also be termed free-range.
Domestic lamb is distinguished by its larger size and milder flavor, while lamb imported from Australia or New Zealand features a gamier taste.
In Australia, cattle and sheep are predominantly grassfed and account for approximately two-thirds of overall beef and sheepmeat production. Grain-feeding is typically limited to short periods depending on climatic conditions and market requirements.
American lamb is usually larger and has the highest quality and consistency. It is raised eating grass and finished with high quality grain. The "grain" makes a world of a difference. It also makes raising lamb a lot more expensive (American lamb can be twice as expensive as imported lamb).
New Zealand lamb are smaller than American, strictly grass-fed, and tend to have a more pronounced, lamb-like “gamey or grassy” flavor. Australian lamb is grass fed and finished, but some farmers are moving to a practice of grain finishing on feedlots, so the flavor is similar to American lamb.
Woolworths fresh lamb is 100% Australian. Only 20% of Woolworths' lambs are sourced from accredited saleyards with 80% sourced straight from the farm.
Like New Zealand lamb, Australian lamb tends to come from smaller animals that have been entirely grass-fed on open pasture. It is leaner and has a deeper flavor than American lamb.
Junee Prime Lamb - Australia's Leading Producer of Premium Lamb.
The predominant breed of sheep in Australia is the Merino. The Merino was first introduced into Australia in 1797 and has over the years developed for wool production. It has also been used for cross breeding with British Long Wool & Short Wool Breeds for mutton and prime lamb production. Merino sheep in full wool.
Australia is famous for its excellent quality of wool and a good breed of sheep. Merino sheep are the most influential breed and much prized for its wool.
Scientists who compared grass fed lamb meat with grain fed lamb meat in a feedlot found that “lambs grazing in pasture had 14% less fat and about 8 % more protein compared to grain-fed lamb.” Grass fed lamb meat is also an excellent source of vitamin B-12, niacin, zinc, and a good source of iron.