Grass-fed beef has become a premium category in Australian supermarkets — but the term is used loosely. In Australia, virtually all cattle are grass-fed for some portion of their lives, because the law requires animals to be maintained on pasture. The meaningful distinction is between fully grass-fed (pasture-raised from birth to slaughter) and grass-fed with a grain-finished phase (standard feedlot model).
What grass-fed actually means
Fully grass-fed cattle eat only pasture grass, hay, and forage for their entire lives. They are never placed in feedlots and never fed grain, corn, or by-products. This is what Highfield Farm produces. The Hereford herd at Highfield lives on 550 acres of natural pastureland at Back Creek in the Tweed Valley, rotating through paddocks seasonally, drinking from clean creek water.
How it affects the meat
Grass-fed beef has a different nutritional profile to grain-finished beef. Studies consistently show higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants like vitamin E in grass-fed animals. The flavour is more complex and less uniform than grain-finished beef — some describe it as earthier, beefier, or more mineral. The fat marbling is typically lower (which means leaner, not tougher if cooked correctly).
How Highfield cattle are raised
The Hereford herd at Highfield Farm grazes on 550 acres of natural pastureland. The herd rotates through paddocks to prevent overgrazing and allow pasture recovery. No growth hormones, no feedlot finishing. The herd has access to natural water from the creek system on the property. Guests staying at Highfield Farm often see the cattle from the property trails — it is a genuine working farm, not a decorative backdrop.
How to order Highfield Farm beef
Highfield Farm sells direct to consumers through the online shop at highfieldfarm.net.au/shop. Options include: Quarter Beef Box ($175, approximately 5–6kg), Half Beef Box ($320, approximately 10–12kg), and Full Beef Box ($595, approximately 20–22kg). Individual cuts are also available. All beef is vacuum-sealed and delivered chilled via refrigerated courier to Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and other major centres.