How organic beef changes Lithuanian nutrition: from farm to consumer

« Perhaps there was a favorable period at the time, and there was European Union support – so we started raising cattle, » the farmer said. Located more than three decades ago, the Buivydai Family Farm has been starting beef animal husbandry since 2007. The first heifers came from Germany and later breeding bulls from France. Today, about 300-400 cattle are grazing on the farm, most of the abrases breed.

The farm is granted the status of a category A breeding economy, and all products are certified, complying with the highest eco -friendly requirements. Organic products are certified by the independent certification body Ekoagros, which issues a special certificate.

Strict standards – everyday reality

According to farmer V. Buivydas, organic farming is not only « beautiful » conditions for animals: « Feeds must be natural, no additives can be used, only our grown grain flour. We also do not use vaccines.

In the organic farm, animals are fed with natural feed, not used vaccine, spent half a year in pasture. Photo by associative freepik.com

Every year specialists from Ekoagros and the State Food and Veterinary Service visit the farm. Meat samples are even sent to German laboratories, ensuring that the meat is environmentally friendly. « This is a great responsibility. But our consumers appreciate it – who has once tasted our organic beef, says they no longer want any other meat, » the farmer smiled.

Organic production is recognizable by the ecological production logo of the European Union (a leaf formed from white stars on a green background) and the organic sign of the Republic of Lithuania « Organic Agriculture ».

Beef is not just gourmet

Although Lithuanians are traditionally preferred to choose pork or chicken, in recent years, organic beef is rapidly finding its way into the hearts of buyers. Beef is a great source of iron and also contains zinc, B vitamins, protein.

Initially, as the farmer says, buyers had to look for themselves, but now the opposite is true. “When I go to the Akropolis on Wednesdays and Saturdays on Wednesdays and Saturdays, more than a hundred buyers visit the Akropolis within half a day. Everyone knows where to find us, and even waits in line, ”said V. Buivydas.

The farmer recognizes that the short food supply chain is particularly important to him, which means that the product is directly on the consumer’s table. « It allows you to keep in touch with the buyer, to ensure the freshness and fair price of the product to both sides, » he said.

Eco -friendly beef – and in kindergartens

One of the greatest achievements is the supply of organic beef to children’s educational institutions. Currently, the eco -friendly beef of Buivydai farm is supplied to several kindergartens in Klaipėda district and Palanga.

For example, one of Palanga kindergartens, buying about 10 kilograms of organic beef ham from the farmer each week. According to a kindergarten spokeswoman, once a week, beef befstrogen, meatballs or mints are produced by children on a prescribed menu.

« We see that children eat with pleasure because the meat is soft and delicious. Perhaps the beef has been considered ‘too hard for kids’, but the organic product changes this belief. We greatly appreciate this cooperation with the farmer. He always adapts, even in the summer, when fewer children bring a smaller amount of meat if we ask, ”said a kindergarten spokeswoman.

Products without intermediaries

Much of the Buivydai economic production is realized through the agricultural cooperative « Lithuanian Farm Quality », which organizes mobile markets in the major cities of Lithuania – Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai. Only products brought directly from farms – meat, bread, milk, fruits and vegetables – can be found in these markets.

Such trading without intermediaries ensures that the products come into fresh, reliable and with a clear history of origin into the hands of the consumer.

The head of the Agricultural Cooperative Mindaugas Maciulevičius says that Buivydai farm is one of which is increasingly appreciated by eco -friendly beef: « We are pleased to work with farmers such as Buivydas family. Their example shows that in Lithuania it is possible to not only grow, but successfully realize high -quality eco -friendly beef.