What "grass-fed" actually means
In the UK, "grass-fed" only describes what a cow ate for part of its life. Most cattle start life on grass — that's just how calves are raised. The label doesn't say anything about the final months, which are the months that shape the meat on your plate.
Why "grass-finished" is the honest label
"Grass-finished" means the animal ate grass (and forage, hay, silage) right up to the end — no grain top-up in the final months to hit a weight target faster. Slower growth, more marbling from age rather than corn, and the mineral-rich flavour people associate with proper native beef.
How Pen-Y-Waun does it
Our Dexter herd is 100% grass-finished on the Welsh hillside. No grain, no rush. Dexters are a small native breed — they take longer to reach weight than commercial cattle, which is exactly the point. The reward is a dense, deeply flavoured beef with proper marbling and a clean finish.
If a label just says "grass-fed", ask what happened in the last three months. If it says "grass-finished", you already have your answer.