Distribution of nutrients across the edible components of a ‘typical’ Australian lamb: a case study

Achieving sustainable development is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. This includes producing food in a way that enhances ecosystem and human health, at the farm level and more broadly. To measure this enhancement brought about by animal production systems, producers and governments need a deeper understanding of the nutrient distribution across the edible parts of the animal. This case study examined the nutrient distribution across a ‘typical’ Australian lamb, using modelling. Edible offal accounted for approximately 7% of edible product by weight and total protein. More than 25% of iron was contained in the edible offal and the liver had absolutely more vitamin A, folate, and vitamin B12 than all the other edible products combined. The results of this case study highlight the nutritional value of offal, especially liver, in the context of the whole animal and, the importance of including offal in assessments of animal production systems.