Finnish beef production

Grass and beef 

Grass is an important part of Finnish beef production. As it grows, grass binds carbon in its plant parts and root system, and some of the carbon returns to the soil through roots, plant residues and manure. However, the overall impact always depends on factors such as soil type, cultivation practices and emissions from production. 

The microbes living in a cow’s rumen convert grass feed into a form the animal can use. This enables cattle to utilise feed that is not suitable for human consumption as such. Their diet can also be supplemented with side streams from the food industry, supporting the efficient use of raw materials. When cattle eat, the feed enters the rumen, where microbes digest the grass and convert it into usable form the animal can use to produce valuable animal protein. Part of the carbon in the grass is released from the rumen as methane through cattle belching, which is one of the most significant climate impacts of beef production. When manure is systemically returned to agricultural fields, nutrients and organic matter are recycled into the agricultural production cycle. 

Grazing as part of the Finnish cattle chain 

Grazing gives animals the opportunity to spend time outdoors and express species-specific behaviour. Well-managed pastures may also benefit the biodiversity of pasture environments by providing habitats for insects and birds, for example. During the winter season, feeding is mainly based on feed produced in the summer, and cattle may have access to outdoor exercise according to each farm’s practices and conditions. 

Most cattle in Finland are kept in loose housing barns, where they can move freely, rest and behave in ways typical of their species, according to each farm’s conditions. On farms where cattle graze, the grazing season usually lasts five to six months. 

Grass suits Finland’s variable growing conditions 

Grass grows well in Finland, including regions where the growing season is short and weather conditions are highly variable. This is why grass feed plays a central role in a domestic beef production. Producing feed-grade grain and grass enables food production in areas where cultivating bread grain or speciality crops may not always be profitable or reliable. 

Climate change is also creating new challenges for Finnish agriculture. Well-managed grasslands can help buffer the effects of dry periods and heavy rainfall by reducing the risk of erosion and nutrient runoff. Grass can produce reliable yields in many conditions where growing food-grade crops may be challenging. 

Perennial grass keeps fields covered with vegetation for much of the year. With good cultivation practices, grasslands can help reduce erosion and nutrient runoff while supporting soil structure through their extensive root systems. Grass cultivation often requires relatively little plant protection products, as regular mowing helps control weeds.

Domestic beef production as part of a diverse food chain 

Beef production and grass cultivation in Finland are concentrated in the northern parts of the country, where peatlands are also common. Peatlands are widely used for grass cultivation, and managing their emissions is an important part of climate work in agriculture. Perennial grass can reduce emissions from peatlands compared with annual crops, but the effect depends on factors such as the field’s water balance, cultivation history and management practices. 

Strengthening domestic protein self-sufficiency is an important goal. However, cultivation solutions on peatlands must take into account both yield potential and soil emissions. Perennial grass is often better suited to peatlands than many annual crops, as protein crops, for example, can be difficult to cultivate in these conditions and yields may be uncertain. Among annual crops, oats tends to perform best on peat soils. If perennial grass were widely replaced by annual crops on peatlands, soil emissions could increase significantly without any guarantee of good yields. This is why careful land-use planning, the development of cultivation practices and emission reductions are important for the future of the domestic food chain. 

Publiched 18.9.2026