Real Benefits of Pasture Raised Pork
The health benefits of 100% grassfed and finished beef are well known and understood, but the benefits of pasture raised pork seem to be less well known. When we look at pork products at the grocery store, we see some confusing terms like: raised in pens with deep bedding, free range, or not confined. Sometimes packaging focuses on the breed, and sometimes, it says nothing at all. It can be hard to navigate!
When you choose pasture-raised pork, you are supporting a system of farming that prioritizes the well-being of animals, the health of the land, and ultimately, the quality of the food on your plate. For us, raising animals on pasture is a deeply held belief that we’ve practiced for decades. It’s a full-circle approach where everything is connected.
While the idea of pigs roaming freely in fields is appealing, the real benefits go much deeper than a simple picture. From superior nutrition and richer flavor to positive environmental outcomes, pasture-raising pork is a powerful way to create a more resilient and delicious food system. Let's explore what makes this method so special and why it’s a choice your family can feel great about.
A Better Life for the Animal
One of the most immediate and visible benefits of pasture-based farming is an improvement in animal welfare. Unlike conventional systems where pigs are often raised indoors, pasture-raised pigs live a life that allows them to express their natural instincts. This is a cornerstone of why we do things the way that we do: we believe healthy animals produce the best meat.
Pigs are incredibly intelligent and curious creatures. On pasture, they have the freedom to run, play, and socialize. They can root around in the soil, which is one of their most fundamental behaviors (1). This act of digging with their snouts allows them to forage for tasty roots, grubs, and other snacks, which not only supplements their diet but also provides crucial mental stimulation. Access to sunshine, fresh air, and the ability to wallow in mud to cool down are all part of a life that respects the animal's nature. This active lifestyle contributes to stronger muscle development and overall health, a stark contrast to a sedentary life in confinement (2).
Nutritious and Flavorful Pork
The way an animal is raised has a direct impact on the nutritional profile of its meat. When pigs have access to a varied diet of grasses, legumes, and foraged foods in addition to their supplemental feed, the resulting pork is a truly different product.
Superior Fat Profile
One of the most significant nutritional advantages lies in the fat. Pork from pasture-raised pigs has a healthier fatty acid profile compared to conventionally raised pork. Studies show that it contains higher levels of heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats and a more desirable, lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (2). Modern diets are often too high in inflammatory omega-6s, so choosing pork with a better balance helps contribute to a more anti-inflammatory way of eating. This difference comes directly from their diet; forages are rich in beneficial omega-3s, and because of how pigs digest their food, these good fats are incorporated directly into the meat (2).
Rich in Vitamins and Protein
Pasture-raised pork also delivers a boost in key micronutrients. It has been found to contain significantly higher levels of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect our cells from damage (2). The active, outdoor lifestyle of pastured pigs also contributes to greater muscle development, which can result in a higher protein content in the meat (2). When you choose pasture-raised, you are choosing a more nutrient-dense food.
The Taste of a Better Life
Beyond the numbers and nutritional panels, there is the undeniable benefit of flavor. The varied diet and active lifestyle of pasture-raised pigs create a richer, more complex, and deeply savory taste that commodity pork simply cannot match. The intramuscular fat, or marbling, is often more developed, leading to a juicier and more succulent eating experience. It’s a flavor that speaks of the animal’s healthy life and the quality of the land it was raised on.
Positive Impacts on the Environment
When managed properly, raising pigs on pasture is a key part of regenerative systems. However, pigs are naturally destructive to pastures because of their rooting and turning over of soil. We implement a few practices to make sure their impact is positive.
Building Healthy Soil
Our farms use a practice called rotational grazing, where pigs are moved regularly across different pastures or paddocks. This prevents any single area from being overgrazed or overworked. The pigs’ rooting behavior helps to aerate compacted soil, and their manure adds valuable, nutrient-rich organic matter back into the ground (1). This process builds topsoil, improves the soil’s ability to hold water, and reduces erosion.
This practice is also a powerful tool for carbon sequestration. Healthy, living soil rich in organic matter pulls carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the ground, where it belongs. Through well-managed grazing, our pigs become partners in creating a healthier ecosystem.
The Realities of Raising Pigs on Pasture
While raising pigs on pasture is incredibly beneficial, it’s important to understand the full picture. Unlike cattle, which are ruminants and can survive solely on grass, pigs are monogastrics, just like humans (1). This means they cannot get all the nutrition they need from forage alone. Their digestive systems aren't designed to break down large amounts of fiber.
For this reason, pasture should be considered a wonderful nutritional supplement and playground, but not their entire diet (1). To ensure our pigs are healthy and grow well, we provide them with a balanced, non-GMO feed to supplement what they forage. This ensures they receive the essential amino acids, protein, and energy they need to thrive at every stage of life. This combination of a balanced feed and a diverse pasture diet is what creates the healthiest animals and the highest-quality pork.
How to Choose True Pasture-Raised Pork
Navigating food labels can be confusing. Terms like “free-range” are regulated by the USDA but can be misleading, sometimes only requiring minimal access to the outdoors without defining the quality or duration of that access (2).
The term “pasture-raised” is more meaningful, but it is not a tightly regulated claim with a universal standard. This is why transparency is key. Look for producers who are open about their practices, share photos and videos of their animals on pasture, and can answer your questions directly. Third-party certifications can be helpful, but nothing replaces a direct connection to the source of your food.
Choosing pasture-raised pork is an investment in a better system—one that values animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and incredible flavor. It’s a choice that honors the animal, the land, and the food that nourishes us all.
CITATIONS
- Kerr, Susan. "The benefits and challenges of pasture-based pork production." Oregon State University Extension Service, May 2015.
- Hampshire College Farm. "The Nutritional Benefits of Pasture-Raised Pigs." Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT).