In the search for pastoral livestock systems that improve the meat quality: An exploratory study

Abstract

An increasing number of consumers are expressing concerns about the quality, nutrient content, and safety of the meet products they purchase, alongside animal welfare and the environmental footprint of production systems. Various studies show that grassland-based systems can produce a healthier meat product. In this context, livestock farmers are actively pursuing improvements in their systems focus on sustainability, with regenerative livestock farming emerging as a prominent approach. Most research has focused on showing the differences in the quality of meat comparing pastoral systems and those fed concentrates under controlled environments. However, there are no studies in Chile that evaluate the quality of beef derived from different pastoral systems, particularly those consider adequate data and products sourced directly from livestock sector. This study explores three beef production systems commonly used in southern Chile (conventional, free grazing, and regenerative), evaluating their impact on carcass characteristics, meat quality attributes, and nutritional components. The results show some variations in carcass weight and yield, with free grazing showing better results. Deviations in meat color were observed, with conventional meat being more red and yellow while regenerative meat was less bright. Subcutaneous fat color and water retention capacity were influenced by diet and production methods. Although lipid oxidation showed no differences, 100% grazing-based systems exhibited lower values, suggesting a higher intake of antioxidants. The research highlights the nutritional superiority of beef from grasslands, characterized by a lower intramuscular fat content and higher values of minerals, such as selenium. The complex multifactorial interaction of pastoral systems is also highlighted, impacting the carcass and meat quality. A holistic approach is essential in future research to generate and assess healthy beef.