Last week I caught up with Agresearch scientist Dr Scott Knowles who is part of a research program New Zealand scientists are conducting to explore the differences between pasture-raised beef and lamb vs grain fed beef and lamb and indeed alternative Plant - based alternatives.
This week is the second part of this interview – we get straight into it and Scott starts by giving me some insight into the different effects and qualities that pasture raised beef has compared to grain fed animals.
One of the things we discussed in this episode is the emerging interest and investment in meat alternatives, such as plant-based alternative products, these foods have been socially deemed more sustainable than meat.
What was particularly interesting is that in the plant-based meat alternative product that Scott referenced, there were 18 different ingredients, clearly this is not a natural product and there is very little regulation if any, on what ingredients can be used. On the whole there is currently limited research regarding the environmental impact, resource requirements, nutrient quality, nutrient density, toxicity and health consequences of these proteins.
While the promise of animal-free alternative foods appears to have its advantages, at this stage, the potential sustainability gains of meat alternatives such as existing plant-based meat alternatives is uncertain.
There is more work to be done in this research, and I am looking forward to talking with other researches who are part of the program, but what I have found interesting so far is that there are clear benefits of pasture raised lamb and beef over grain fed systems at a composition level particularly around fats and fatty acids.
New Zealand’s primary industry is a dynamic environment right now and there are some great things happening at a research and technology perspective, environmental engagement and action is encouraging. There is no better place I would like to see the benefit of this work ultimately end up, which is stronger returns at the farmgate.
Listen to the podcast to get the full story and full perspectives.
Angus Kebbell is the Producer at Tailwind Media. You can contact him here.
21 Comments
Good discussion and something I am very interested in. The artificial meats seem like madness to me and the ultimate in processing. Artificial is never as good as the real thing. Perhaps good for long space journeys.
I have always wondered if the warnings around grain fed meats are exaggerated. I guess grain fed is the next best thing to pasture raised.
With keto diets and even full carnivore diets becoming popular and I think are only going to grow in popularity due to the great health benefits New Zealand should promote its natural meat products as health enhancing.
I disagree that we need to pay more per kilogram though! I'm about to break my 18 hour fast with a nice pasture raised scotch fillet and half an avocado. The steak cost me $10.80 for 275gm. That's enough isn't it?
Thanks
I can't help myself thinking about the contradiction in thinking where people conclude non animal 'meat' is good for them and the planet but the Covid vaccine is not good for either....
The other thing is that the plant ingredients are from soil based production. I can't see how those systems can avoid pesticide use or a significant carbon footprint and resource depletion.
I'm more thinking it's another expression of capitalism - design a product, convince consumers they need it and extract profit. Like happened with butter/margarine and synethic fibres.
Huh, are you saying all vegetarian s must be anti Vax? I can't see how you can draw that conclusion.
On another note , these should be compared to processed meats , such as bacon, sausages, salami etc. For salt and additives, preservatives etc.
I've been vegetarian for 30 years, did fine without these, a bit of a novelty to me, i' be tried some, can take or leave them.
Farm based meat is dead.
Go to https://www.rethinkx.com/food-and-agriculture and read the report.
The cost of artificial proteins will fall the same way solar panels, electric batteries etc have fallen.
We are at the start of this transition now with non-meat based products starting to enter the market.
Fully carbon pricing of farm emissions will be the final death knell.
NZ needs to work out how much of its capital is going to go into the synthetic proteins and where the competitive advantage is for the rest.
By 2030, demand for cow products will have fallen by 70%.
This seems extremely unlikely. Do they realise 2030 is only just over eight years away? Lab grown meat technology is still very much in its infancy. Sounds like faking it until you make it like Theranos.
People in China and South America are not going to embrace these products. Just look at artificial sea foods, it's nothing like the real thing after many years of development. Much like that meat which was made from mushed up protein it is just hideous and disgusting.
Indeed, scratch the smooth shiny trendy surface, and as with so many 'alternatives' there are fish hooks.....
Solar - panel and battery recycling?
EV's - rare earth supply and recycling?
Wind power - infrasound and recycling?
None if which is to imply that some, in moderation, is not a Good Thang.
But adolescent enthusiasm for the Latest Trend is scarcely a good basis from which to set policy....
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