100% Grassfed, Grass Finished Lamb
Greenacres produces 100% grass-fed, grass-finished lamb on our farms in the Cincinnati area. Our sheep spend their entire lives roaming outdoors, eating fresh, living pasture during the growing season and high-quality hay in the winter. This natural diet suits their digestive systems, keeping them healthy and stress-free. By raising our lambs entirely on grass, we deliver a superior product with outstanding flavor, tenderness, and nutritional benefits, including higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
Our commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly practices ensures the well-being of our sheep and the land they graze. Greenacres lamb is not just a meal but a reflection of our dedication to sustainable farming and providing our customers with the best possible product.
Lamb Available Year Round
Check our product availability to see what we currently have in stock.
The Greenacres Difference
- 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, never fed grain
- Free to roam on pasture from birth to harvest day
- No unnecessary antibiotics
- Low stress lamb weaning
- Staff who love our animals
- Butchers chosen with animal welfare in mind
- Katahdin and Dorper sheep naturally shed their coats, eliminating the need for shearing
- Flocks rotated quickly through pasture
- Without confinement, manure fertilizes grasses and improves the soil
- Healthy soil sequesters carbon, holds rainwater
- Flocks graze year-round with shade and shelter, never confined indoors
- Graze alongside cattle and horses to improve pastures and prevent overgrazing
- Higher omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health
- Richer in vitamins A and E, key antioxidants that support immune function and overall well-being (Learn More)
Versus Grain-Finished Lamb
- Fed grain, especially in the last few months of life
- Commonly confined in feedlots for some or all of their lives
- Animals are often under stress
- Large amounts of waste concentrated in small areas
- Confined flocks compact soil and prevent water absorption
- Pollution of soil and waterways
- Lower omega-3 fatty acids
- Lower levels of vitamins A and E
The Greenacres Difference
- 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, never fed grain
- Free to roam on pasture from birth to harvest day
- No unnecessary antibiotics
- Low stress lamb weaning
- Staff who love our animals
- Butchers chosen with animal welfare in mind
- Katahdin and Dorper sheep naturally shed their coats, eliminating the need for shearing
Versus Grain-Finished Lamb
- Fed grain, especially in the last few months of life
- Commonly confined in feedlots for some or all of their lives
- Animals are often under stress
- Flocks rotated quickly through pasture
- Without confinement, manure fertilizes grasses and improves the soil
- Healthy soil sequesters carbon, holds rainwater
- Flocks graze year-round with shade and shelter, never confined indoors
- Graze alongside cattle and horses to improve pastures and prevent overgrazing
Versus Grain-Finished Lamb
- Large amounts of waste concentrated in small areas
- Confined flocks compact soil and prevent water absorption
- Pollution of soil and waterways
- Higher omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health
- Richer in vitamins A and E, key antioxidants that support immune function and overall well-being (Learn More)
Versus Grain-Finished Lamb
- Lower omega-3 fatty acids
- Lower levels of vitamins A and E
Multi-Species Grazing
Sheep production is a key part of Greenacres’ multi-species grazing system. In this system, sheep and cattle graze together to benefit both the animals and the land. Sheep and cattle prefer different plants, and grazing them together prevents overgrazing and promotes balanced plant diversity in the pasture. This approach supports the health of the plant community while ensuring optimal nutrition for the animals.
There are also significant health benefits for the livestock. Sheep and cattle are susceptible to species-specific gastric parasites that live in the pasture. By grazing multiple species together, the burden of these parasites is naturally reduced. For example, sheep ingest cattle-specific parasites that do not affect them, and vice versa, effectively diluting the parasite load for both species. This integrated system enhances the well-being of all the animals and contributes to their healthy growth and development.
Better Breeds, Better Lamb
Our sheep flocks are primarily Katahdin hair sheep, a breed known for its adaptability, calm temperament, and excellent maternal traits. Katahdins naturally shed their hair each spring, eliminating the need for stressful shearing and reducing the risk of heat stress during the summer. These sheep are renowned for their ability to give birth unassisted and their attentiveness to their lambs, often raising twins annually.
To further enhance the quality of our lamb, we crossbreed Katahdin ewes with Dorper rams. Dorpers are a hair sheep breed known for their heavier muscling and faster growth rates. This crossbreeding results in lambs with tender, well-marbled meat that is both flavorful and nutrient-rich. Lambs are raised alongside their mothers on lush spring pastures, benefiting from a natural, nutritious environment. After weaning in the summer, they graze independently and grow to their ideal harvest weight of approximately 100 pounds before reaching one year of age. This ensures the lamb remains tender and meets the USDA definition of lamb, not mutton.
A Natural, Pasture-Based System
Our rotational grazing system ensures that lambs have constant access to fresh, nutritious forage while maintaining their health and well-being. Just like our cattle herds, our sheep are 100% pasture-raised and pasture-finished, never receiving grain supplements. During the winter months, we provide high-quality hay to support their natural digestive processes and keep them thriving. This approach aligns with our commitment to sustainable farming, promoting healthy pastures and robust animals.
Lambing season is carefully timed to begin in late April through May, coinciding with warmer weather and abundant pasture growth. This provides ewes with a rising plane of nutrition during lactation, which supports milk production and healthy, fast-growing lambs. By raising our sheep outdoors year-round, we ensure they live as naturally as possible, resulting in exceptional lamb that reflects the care and attention we give to every aspect of our farming practices.
Greenacres lamb is more than a product; it is a testament to our dedication to sustainability, animal welfare, and superior quality. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious meal or supporting environmentally conscious agriculture, our lamb offers a taste you can feel good about.