The Role of Native Breeds in Regenerative Farming
Modern livestock farming has prioritised efficiency over resilience, selecting breeds based on rapid growth rates and maximum yield rather than their ability to thrive within natural ecosystems. This approach has led to an industry increasingly dependent on high-input systems, requiring grain-based feed, intensive veterinary care, and artificial housing environments. The result is a model that depletes soils, reduces biodiversity, and increases reliance on external resources.
Regenerative farming, by contrast, focuses on long-term ecological function, integrating livestock into landscapes in a way that improves soil health, increases biodiversity, and reduces external inputs. At the centre of this system are native livestock breeds, which, due to their evolutionary adaptation to local environments, offer several advantages over commercial breeds. Their superior resilience, ability to utilise natural forage, and lower input requirements make them a critical component of a more sustainable food production system.
1. Evolutionary Adaptation and Resilience
Native breeds have been shaped over centuries by natural selection and traditional breeding within their specific environments. This long-term adaptation has led to genetic traits that allow them to thrive in diverse and often challenging conditions without the need for artificial support.
For example, breeds such as Highland cattle, Belted Galloways, and Welsh Blacks have developed dense double coats, which provide insulation against cold and wet conditions, reducing the need for winter housing and additional feed supplementation. In contrast, many modern continental breeds—such as Limousin or Charolais—lack these adaptive traits and require additional resources to maintain body condition in harsh weather.
Additionally, native breeds tend to have more efficient metabolisms, allowing them to maintain body condition on low-energy, fibrous forage rather than requiring high-calorie supplemental feeds. This metabolic efficiency makes them well-suited to marginal land—such as uplands and unimproved grasslands—where intensive breeds would struggle to survive without human intervention.
Highland Cattle
Highland cattle have evolved over centuries in the rugged, nutrient-poor landscapes of Scotland. Their lower metabolic rate and ability to metabolise rough forage efficiently allow them to survive on extensive grazing systems where commercial breeds would require grain supplementation. These cattle can digest fibrous plant material more effectively due to their enhanced rumen function, making them well-adapted to regenerative grazing systems that rely on diverse, natural pastures.
2. Reduced Input Requirements and Environmental Impact
A key principle of regenerative farming is minimising reliance on external inputs such as synthetic fertilisers, concentrated feedstuffs, and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Native breeds contribute to this goal through their ability to thrive on natural pasture and their resistance to disease and metabolic disorders.
Forage Utilisation and Grazing Efficiency
Unlike high-yielding commercial cattle, which often require supplementary grain to achieve rapid weight gain, native breeds can efficiently convert low-quality forage into high-quality meat. This has several ecological benefits:
- Maintaining permanent pasture – Continuous grass growth stabilises soil, reduces erosion, and improves water retention.
- Enhancing plant biodiversity – Grazing encourages a diverse range of plant species, increasing overall ecosystem function.
- Reducing feed-associated emissions – Native breeds eliminate the need for grain feed, which is often linked to deforestation and high greenhouse gas emissions from fertiliser use.
Lower Disease Susceptibility
Native breeds have evolved to cope with environmental pressures, leading to stronger immune responses and greater resistance to disease. For example:
- Lower susceptibility to metabolic diseases – Many intensive breeds develop acidosis and bloat due to high-grain diets, whereas native breeds maintain stable rumen function on fibrous forage.
- Greater parasite resistance – Selective breeding in native cattle has resulted in higher natural resistance to intestinal parasites, reducing the need for chemical anthelmintics, which can contaminate soil and water systems.
3. Contributions to Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration
Regenerative agriculture is primarily concerned with building soil organic matter, improving nutrient cycling, and sequestering atmospheric carbon. Native breeds, when managed under systems such as rotational grazing and holistic planned grazing, play a key role in this process.
Manure as a Soil Amendment
Healthy grazing systems depend on nutrient cycling, where manure from livestock acts as a natural fertiliser that feeds soil microbes and supports plant growth. Native breeds, which tend to range across landscapes rather than concentrate in feedlots, distribute manure more evenly, improving soil structure and fertility.
- Higher microbial activity – Properly decomposed manure increases soil microbial diversity, enhancing carbon sequestration.
- Reduced nitrogen runoff – Unlike synthetic fertilisers, manure is a slow-release source of nutrients, decreasing the risk of water pollution.
Soil Aeration and Erosion Prevention
Grazing animals contribute to soil health when managed properly. Their hooves break up compacted soil, increasing aeration and water infiltration. This prevents runoff and soil degradation, both of which are common problems in heavily cultivated agricultural land.
4. The Nutritional Superiority of Slow-Grown, Grass-Fed Beef
Beyond ecological benefits, the use of native breeds in grass-fed systems leads to higher-quality, more nutrient-dense meat. The composition of beef is directly influenced by diet and growth rate, with significant differences between grain-fed commercial cattle and slow-grown, pasture-fed native breeds.
Phytonutrients in Grass-Fed Beef
One of the lesser-discussed advantages of grass-fed beef—particularly from native breeds grazing on diverse pasture—is the presence of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are bioactive compounds derived from plants that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-supporting properties. When cattle graze on a variety of grasses, herbs, and wildflowers, these compounds accumulate in their meat and fat.
Some key phytonutrients found in grass-fed beef include:
- Terpenes – Have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Flavonoids – Support cardiovascular health and provide antioxidant effects.
- Carotenoids – Precursors to Vitamin A, important for vision and immune function.
These compounds are almost entirely absent in grain-fed beef, where cattle consume a monotonous diet of corn and soyrather than diverse forage.
Higher Omega-3 and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Levels
Scientific studies have consistently shown that grass-fed beef contains significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and CLA compared to grain-fed beef. These compounds are critical for human health:
- Omega-3 fatty acids – Support cardiovascular and cognitive function, reducing inflammation.
- CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) – Shown to have potential anti-carcinogenic properties and to support lean muscle mass development.
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that grass-fed beef contains up to five times more omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef. Additionally, levels of Vitamin E and beta-carotene, important antioxidants, are significantly higher in slow-grown beef.
Slow Growth Equals Better Meat Quality
Intensively reared cattle reach market weight in as little as 18 months, whereas native breeds in grass-fed systems take 24 to 36 months to mature. This extended growth period allows for:
- Better marbling and superior flavour – Slow-grown meat develops a firmer texture and more complex taste profile.
- Balanced fat composition – Lower overall saturated fat and improved omega-6 to omega-3 ratios.
- Higher micronutrient content – Increased levels of iron, zinc, and B vitamins due to natural forage consumption.
Conclusion: The Future of Sustainable Livestock Farming
Native breeds provide a scientifically sound solution to the challenges posed by intensive agriculture:
- They require fewer inputs, reducing environmental impact and increasing economic viability.
- They contribute to soil regeneration, promoting carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
- They produce higher-quality meat, offering superior nutritional benefits to consumers.
At eatTelfit, we prioritise native breed, slow-grown, pasture-fed livestock because the evidence is clear—these animals are essential for both sustainable agriculture and human health. Supporting native breeds means supporting resilient farming systems, healthier ecosystems, and better food.