Burke’s Garden Farm Lamb - A High-Quality Healthy Meat Option
posted on
May 9, 2024
Here at Burke’s Garden Farm we raise some the healthiest sheep, and thus, lamb meats in the USA.
History of Sheep
Sheep are one the earliest animals to be domesticated around 10,000 years ago (second to dogs 20,000 years ago) in Iran, then Europe and Asia. Sheep husbandry has been fundamental to many civilizations and is now practiced throughout the majority of the inhabited world, with over 1000 different breeds classified for production of meat, wool, dairy, hair sheep, color and geography.
Wild, original sheep were large, horned, had curly hair, short tails, and were brown in color. Domestication bred for smaller frames, white and other wide varieties of colors, and no horns (polled).
A sheep's wool is the most widely used animal fiber. Sheepskins are used for making clothes, footwear, rugs, and other products. Sheep tallow is used in candle and soap making, sheep bone and cartilage has been used to furnish carved items such as buttons as well as rendered glue and gelatin. Sheep intestines can be formed into sausage casings, and lamb intestine has been formed into surgical sutures, as well as strings for musical instruments and tennis rackets. Sheep droppings, which are high in cellulose are used to make paper. Lanolin is the fatty substance in sheep's wool used as a waterproofing.
Sheep are highly intelligent, next after pigs, have good hearing, are sensitive to noise when being handled and have a visual field of about 270° to 320°. Sheep can see behind themselves without turning their heads. Although, some breeds with wool on their face experience “wool blindness”. Sheep have poor depth perception but an excellent sense of smell.
Sheep meat and milk were one of the earliest staples consumed by migratory pastoral humans after hunting and gathering and before the transition to stationary agricultural centers.
Sheep meat is one of the most common meats around the world.
In Australia, the leg of lamb roast is considered to be the national dish commonly served on a Sunday or any other special occasion.
In Indonesia and Thailand, lamb is popularly served as satay and lamb curry.
In Mexico, lamb is the meat of choice for barbacoa, in which the lamb is roasted or steamed wrapped in maguey leaves underground.
In Japan, a hot-pot dish called jingusukan (i.e. "Genghis Khan" from it’s roots in Mongolia) is popular. Thin-sliced lamb is cooked over a convex skillet alongside various vegetables and mushrooms in front of the diners, then dipped in sauces and eaten.
Lamb's liver is eaten in many countries, traditionally used as a family favorite with onions, potentially also with bacon and mashed potatoes. It is a major ingredient, along with the lungs and heart (the pluck), in the traditional Scottish dish of Haggis. Lamb testicles or lamb fries are a delicacy in many parts of the world. Lamb kidneys are highly regarded and found in many cuisines across Europe and the Middle East, often split into two halves and grilled on kebabs. Lamb sweetbreads are a delicacy in many cuisines as well.
The term lamb is used for both young and older sheep in the US. In Europe, lamb refers to younger sheep and mutton to older.
Sheep Farming at Burke’s Garden Farm
Sheep thrive on 100% pasture grasses and hay. Sheep also consume plants, such as noxious weeds, that most other animals will not touch. This means that sheep are an integral component of an all grass-fed rotational grazing ecosystem along with other livestock.
Sheep follow a diurnal pattern of activity, feeding from dawn to dusk, stopping sporadically to rest and chew their cud. Ideal pasture for sheep is not lawn-like grass, but an array of grasses, legumes and forbs. Sheep thrive on natural pastures as well as pastures that are seeded and improved intentionally. Sheep also prefer to eat invasives such as cheatgrass, leafy spurge, kudzu, and spotted knapweed making grazing sheep effective for conservation grazing.
Three trials demonstrated that grazing sheep were just as effective as herbicides in controlling winter weeds. Entomologists also concluded that grazing sheep is as effective as insecticides for insect control in winter alfalfa.
In some cases additional feeding can be lethal to sheep as in mineral supplements containing copper.
Our sheep are a unique Burke’s Garden Farm hybrid of Katahdin and Dorper all born and naturally rotationally grazed here on Burke’s Garden grasses and forage with absolutely no chemicals, vaccines, hormones, deworming, anti-parasitics, or antibiotics.
Katahdin were selected based on white hair coat, large meat-type conformation, high fertility, and flocking instinct. Hair sheep do not need shearing as they loose their hair in the Spring.
Katahdin sheep are also resistant to parasites - a trait inherited from its St. Croix ancestors - makes the breed a highly productive, low-maintenance option.
Dorper a South African breed developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persain. It has high fertility and maternal instinct, combined with high growth rates and hardiness. This breed has the characteristic black head.
Burke’s Garden pastures have been heralded as some of the finest pastures coveted by the Queen of England hundreds of years ago earning it’s name Fat Cattle Kingdom producing some the finest cattle and sheep in America.
Health Benefits of Lamb Meat
Lamb meat is a nutrient-rich food that offers many health benefits.
1. High-Quality Protein: Lamb is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles, organs, and tissues in the body.
2. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Lamb is a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin, and selenium.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Lamb contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
4. Supports Bone Health: Lamb is a good source of zinc, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis.
5. Reduce Heart Disease: The omega-3 fatty acids in lamb are beneficial fats that support the circulatory system’s health.
6. Supports Immune Function: Lamb contains immunoglobulins, which are proteins that help support the immune system and reduce the risk of illness.
7. Help Reduce Inflammation: The antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in lamb reduce inflammation in the body, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis and cancer.
8. Supports Eye Health: The vitamin A in lamb can help support eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
9. Supports Brain Health: The omega-3 fatty acids in lamb have been shown to support brain health and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
10. Reduce Anxiety and Depression: The omega-3 fatty acids in lamb have been shown to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Overall, lamb meat is a nutritious and healthy component of human diet especially when choosing lamb that has been 100% grass-fed and chemical free.
Lamb Recipes
Lamb pairs well with Mediterranean spices and herbs including mint, basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme. It also goes well with more exotic flavors, reminiscent of Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, including curries, cumin, coriander and allspice.
While the iconic rack of lamb makes a beautiful and delicious centerpiece for holiday gatherings or dinner parties, there are plenty of quick and delicious ways to put lamb on the table any night of the week:
Leg of Lamb Roast – an be done in a kettle, BBQ, a conventional oven, or slow cooker. Typical preparation involves covering the leg of lamb with butter, pushing rosemary sprigs into incisions cut in the leg, and sprinkling rosemary leaves on top. The lamb is then roasted for two hours at 350°F and typically served with carrots and potato (also roasted), green vegetables and gravy.
Ground Lamb – Add a few simple spices for quick and delicious lamb burgers. Or make Mediterranean meatballs infused with oregano, rosemary and thyme served over a bed of mixed greens or zucchini needles
Leg of Lamb Steaks or Chops – Coat with grassfed butter, add some herbs and sear quickly over a hot flame for a quick and tender hearty meal.
Kibbeh Nayyeh – mix bulgar wheat, ground raw lamb, and spices, Drizzle with olive oil. Decorate with greens and/or mint. Serve cold on a hot summer day & enjoy.
Lamb Liver Boost Smoothie – Blend raw fresh liver in a blender with raw A2 grass-fed milk and honey for a powerful life-giving energy drink.
When nose-to-tail eating and packing more nutrient-dense foods into your diet is your goal, don’t forget about the many unique culinary options lamb provides.
There is no comparison to the high levels of essential proteins, vitamins and minerals, lCLA, omega-3’s and oleic acid in 100% Burke’s Garden grass-fed and grass-finished, chemical-free lamb.
Stock up on grass fed ground lamb, roasts, ribs, loins and organs for deliciously differently and versatile meals packed with nutrient and flavor all delivered to your doorstep.
Email us directly to purchase a whole lamb for your freezer.
Connecting Food & Health,
Phoenix
Simply Grassfed
References:
"Sheep grazing reduces pesticide use in alfalfa". ucanr.org. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
Capra Foods - Health Benefits of Lamb
Dr. Axe Benefits of Lamb Meat and Cooking Tips
Healing Gourmet - Lamb: The Overlooked Meat You Should Be Eating More Of
