The Nutritional Benefits of Food from Pasture-Raised Animals

By Larissa McKenna, Humane Farming Program Director

FACT is committed to helping livestock and poultry farmers raise their animals outdoors on well-managed pasture due to the numerous benefits associated with pasture-based animal production. Animals living on pasture can move freely and engage in natural behaviors. They also experience lower stress, disease, and lameness, as well as fewer reproductive problems. Pasture-based animal production can help to improve soil health and fertility and mitigate climate change.

In addition, studies consistently show that pasture-raised animals produce nutritionally superior meat, milk, and eggs. When compared to food from animals that were fed grain and raised in confinement, food from animals raised on pasture has better fat quality and increased levels of essential vitamins and nutrients.

To showcase these health benefits, we have created a series of eight handouts on the nutritional benefits of food from pasture-raised animals.

Since we first published these materials in 2019, the case for pasture-raised food has only gotten stronger. When we updated the handouts in 2021, we found an even more extensive increase in vitamins and nutrients as well as an increase in specific healthy fats that help with neural health, cancer, and obesity.

Now our handouts are also available in Spanish. We hope that we can reach more people and make our services more widely accessible. Download any of our handouts for free and share with your family, friends, and neighbors!