Grass FAQs

What does grass fed vs. grass finished mean? What is the difference between Pasture Raised vs. Grass Fed? These terms might all seem similar but they have huge differences.

What is Grass Fed?

Grass Fed or 100% Grass Fed means that animals have only eaten grass for their entire life. This term is no longer regulated by the USDA, but third-party certification programs exist. Continue further down to learn more.

What is Grass Finished?

Animals have eaten grass and forage at some point during their lives but could have been fed grain to finish. Does not mean they were pasture-raised.

What is Pasture Raised?

Animals spent some or most of their life outside but does not mean they were grass finished. There are no government standards for Pasture Raised such as a definition for pasture or diet requirements, but many third-party animal welfare programs exist. Learn more here.

What does Grass based farming mean?

Grass-based production relies on pasture or rangeland to supply the protein and energy requirements of livestock. The producer focuses on pasture plant and soil management, and proper stocking density and rotational grazing. This term does not have a third-party verification program, does not claim that animals were 100% grass fed, nor any animal welfare standards.

What does 100% Natural Mean?

The USDA defines the term “natural” for meat and poultry as “a product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed." This does not disclose what the animals were fed, how they were treated, or otherwise.

What does “Raised without Antibiotics” Mean?

No antibiotics were given over the course of the animal’s life. Some producers feed animals antibiotics at low doses to promote growth and prevent disease, while others only administer antibiotics on a case by case basis.

What does “No Hormones Added” Mean?

These labels do not disclose what the animals were fed or if they had access to pasture. Federal law prohibits the use of hormones on hogs and poultry, however, federal regulations do permit the use of hormones in beef and dairy cattle.

What does Vegetarian-fed mean?

This term does not have a legal definition nor do any third-party verification programs exist for it. Suggests that the animal was not fed any animal products, but does not state if the animal was grass fed at any point.

What is the Grass Fed program for small and very small producers?

This program is designed for producers who market 49 cattle or less each year or lambs produced from 99 ewes or less. It requires that ruminant animals be fed only grass and forage, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. Animals certified cannot be fed grain or grain by-products and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season. Farms must submit documents with details of their farm, their livestock and their feeding program, with renewal every two years. There is no third-party audit of the farm.

Click here for a downloadable list of references used for Grass FAQs.

As always, it’s important to know your farmer,
their values, and how that translates into
the products that they offer.

Certified Grass Fed

Third-party certifications exist that ensure that products are grass fed. Learn about two of those programs below:

Certified Grass fed by AGW

A third-party certification. Independent farms who wish to be certified grass fed must first already be Animal Welfare Approved. All livestock production is pasture, grass, and forage-based. Grazing animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts and must have continuous access to pasture for their entire lives. Animals have a 100% grass and forage diet. Because of built in AWA standards, there is also welfare-oriented slaughter standards for this certification.
Learn more here.

American Grass fed Association Certified Grass fed

A third-party certification. Grazing animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts and must have continuous access to pasture for their entire lives. All livestock production is pasture, grass, and forage based; animals cannot be fed grain or grain byproducts. This certification does not include welfare-oriented slaughter standards.
Learn more here.