COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW ZEALAND LAMB:

Is New Zealand lamb free range, or pastured?

  • Yes. New Zealand sheep/lamb is grass fed, and pasture raised on native grasses and pastures such
    as, rye, clover and alfalfa.

Are the pastures in New Zealand treated with any chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers?

  • In some areas of New Zealand, pastures maybe fertilized – for the same reason as you would ‘feed’ or fertilize a garden. If there’s a problem with weeds, these maybe treated with a chemical, depending on the severity and the type. If sheep/lambs are exposed to these chemicals, they are withheld from processing for a recommended time frame (depending on the chemical). New Zealand has strict national controls which monitors residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants in food commodities.

Is New Zealand lamb fed anything other than pasture grasses?

  • If there is a drought and consequently there are no grasses/pastures for the sheep to graze on, thenthe sheep/lambs are supplemented with hay (dried grasses).

What else is part of a New Zealand lamb’s diet? And is it organic?

  • Sheep/Lamb from New Zealand is all fed on natural pasture or natural pasture cropping. New Zealand sheep/lamb is not grain fed. There are some organic ranches in New Zealand (livestock, pastures and crops) so some sheep/lambs may have access to organic feed.

Is New Zealand lamb administered antibiotics, hormones, chemicals or anything else of the like?

  • New Zealand sheep/lambs are not treated with hormones. It is illegal to use these substances in New Zealand.Antibiotics are only used therapeutically (to treat sickness only) and are prescribed by a registered
    veterinarian. If a sheep/lamb becomes sick, it could be treated with antibiotics, depending on the
    illness. All treated animals are subjected to withholding periods – so the antibiotic purges naturally
    from their system before it is allowed to re-enter the main flock.