Grass-fed means something different in New Zealand.

Silver Fern Farms grass-fed means better flavour, tenderness and quality – that’s better for the environment and better for you.

Our herds are grass-fed, all year-round.

Here, the climate, clean air and plentiful pure water fuel the year-round growth of lush, green pastures. The animals are raised year-round, on this pasture, with the ability to roam and graze freely. With access, if needed, to conserved forages like hay and silage.  The animals can eat and live as they would naturally – reducing stress and promoting better animal welfare.

Sheep grazing on a farm with a farmer in the background

Grass-fed over grain-fed.

Compared to grain-fed, grass-fed red meat:

• Is naturally leaner, with less saturated fat and fewer calories.

• Has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a healthier omega-3 to omega 6 ratio.

• Is higher in antioxidants, vitamin A and E and conjugated linoleic acids.

Better taste, more nutritious.

Our ability to grow quality, nutritious grass year-round, means we produce animals more naturally, with little intervention. The result is high quality, tasty, tender red meat. A diet of nutrient-rich grass produces natural marbling and gives a fine, delicate texture.

Reduced enviromental impact.

New Zealand’s grass-based system optimises natural resources and uses low-intensity farming practices to minimise environmental impact. Farmers utilise a natural abundance of rainwater to grow grass, optimising livestock growth to match the natural grass growth curve.