Grass-Fed and Feed Claims
Requirements and guidance can change. Always verify current requirements with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Government of Alberta and other applicable authorities before using a claim or label commercially.
Feed claims are among the most common descriptions used in farm-direct beef marketing. They are also a frequent source of consumer confusion.
Grass-fed and grass-finished are not interchangeable ideas
A producer may describe cattle as grass-fed because forage forms part of their diet, while another producer may use grass-finished to communicate that cattle remain on a forage-based finishing program.
The producer should explain the actual feeding system rather than relying only on a short marketing phrase.
Tell customers what the cattle actually eat
A useful description might explain:
- summer pasture
- winter hay or silage
- supplemental grain
- finishing ration
- minerals
- crop residues or alternative feeds
Feed claims must be supportable
CFIA provides guidance for method-of-production claims, including claims related to animal feed.
Claims used in advertising or labelling should be accurate, truthful and not misleading.
They are different production approaches. We explain the practice so consumers can decide what matters to them.
Avoid hiding part of the feeding program
If cattle spend most of their lives on pasture but receive grain during finishing, say so.
If they receive hay or silage during an Alberta winter, explain that too.
Transparency is more useful than trying to fit every farm into a marketing category.
Last reviewed: September 2026.