Pasture-fed Livestock Association Cic

What Pasture-fed Livestock Association Cic does

Pasture for Life, legally Pasture-Fed Livestock Association CIC, is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 2009 by farmers and incorporated as a CIC in 2011 to promote 100% pasture-fed livestock systems. The organization operates from Cirencester and runs a multi-segment model serving farmers and land managers, butchers/retailers/restaurants, food citizens, and policymakers/researchers across seven English regions plus Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are explicitly out of scope). Its core offering is the Pasture for Life certification mark and proprietary Certification Standards (Version 5.1), which guarantee animals have been raised on 100% pasture for their entire life — a stricter threshold than DEFRA's 51% requirement for 'grass-fed.'

The product suite spans certification for farms (Certified Enterprises) and retailers (Approved Businesses), annual membership at £120/year or £10/month granting access to 200+ resources, 208 annual events, regional groups, forums, and WhatsApp communities, plus paid consultancy at £600+VAT per day and a Pasture and Profit peer-learning programme. A Sustainability Assessment Tool is in development with the University of Reading. The organization is evidence-anchored: research collaborations with UKCEH, Newcastle University, Lancaster University, SRUC, Natural England, and SEFARI Scotland underpin claims of higher farm gross margins, biodiversity, soil carbon, and beneficial omega-3 levels in PfL beef. Marketing is community-led via farmer-to-farmer learning, content resources, social media, and policy advocacy, notably through leadership of the CLEAR consortium petitioning for tighter UK food labeling rules.

Revenue is generated through membership subscriptions, certification and approval fees, consultancy, events, and grant funding as a nonprofit (no figure is publicly disclosed). Leadership comprises Jimmy Woodrow as Chief Executive and Nikki Yoxall as Technical Director. The organization has 11-50 employees, a registered Pasture for Life trademark, and pursues an ambitious Business Plan 2025-2030 contingent on expanded grant funding. There is no evidence of AI/ML capabilities, no funding rounds or M&A activity, and no parent company; Pasture for Life operates as an independent member-based social enterprise.

Name

Pasture-fed Livestock Association Cic

Legal name

Pasture-Fed Livestock Association CIC

Website

https://pastureforlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pasture for Life is a UK nonprofit Community Interest Company that certifies 100% pasture-fed livestock, runs a paid membership community for farmers and consumers, and delivers consultancy, events, and advocacy for regenerative pasture-based farming across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable agriculture certification

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (11521), Cattle Ranching and Farming (1121), Sheep and Goat Farming (1124)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory, Certification & Compliance Veterinary Services (Health Papers, QA Programs) (AFACADAJ), Beef Cattle Grazing & Pasture-Based Operations (AFAEABAG), Grazing & Pasture-Based Operations (Range, Rotational Grazing) (AFAEAFAG)

Keywords

• Pasture-fed certification
• Sustainable agriculture services
• Livestock membership association
• Regenerative farming certification
• Agricultural consultancy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cirencester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership charged at £120 per year (or £10 per month). Membership provides access to events, resources, forums, WhatsApp groups, webinars, and regional networks. The membership is open to farmers, land managers, policymakers, researchers, vets, and members of the public.
2. Certification and Approval Fees: Farms pay fees to become Certified Enterprises, and retailers/restaurants pay to become Approved Businesses. The certification verifies that animals have been raised on 100% pasture.
3. Consultancy Services: Bespoke farming consultancy services for pasture-based transition, grazing management, animal health, business planning, and certification assistance. Priced at £600+ VAT per day with a minimum 4-hour half-day engagement, and £80 for 1-hour advisory calls.
4. Events and Programs: Revenue from in-person and online events, study tours (including international destinations like Romania), and the Pasture and Profit programme.
5. Grant Funding: As a nonprofit, the organization receives grant funding from public and private organizations to support its programmes. The Business Plan 2025-2030 outlines ambitious targets requiring significant grant funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pasture for Life is a nonprofit Community Interest Company that certifies farms and retailers/butchers/restaurants against a 100% pasture-fed livestock standard (Version 5.1) and provides an annual individual/business membership, on-farm consultancy, the Pasture and Profit peer-learning programme, regional events and farm walks, and an open-access research and resources library. The certification mark guarantees an animal has been raised on pasture alone for its entire life, distinguishing it from the DEFRA 51% 'grass-fed' claim.

Product overview

Pasture for Life is a non-profit membership organization (Community Interest Company) offering a suite of interconnected services centered on 100% pasture-based farming certification and education. The core offerings include Pasture for Life Certification for farms and retailers, annual Membership providing access to events, resources, and community, Consultancy Services for bespoke farm solutions, and the Pasture and Profit Programme for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. Additional services include Events (farm visits, webinars, regional gatherings), a Resources Library with 200+ materials, and a Certified Producer Directory for consumers. A Sustainability Assessment Tool is in development with University of Reading. The organization connects farmers, butchers, retailers, and consumers through farmer-to-farmer learning and evidence-based advocacy for pasture-based systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pasture for Life Certification Certification programme allowing farms to become Certified Enterprises raising 100% Pasture for Life animals, and retailers to become Approved Businesses to sell PfL certified produce. Certification verifies animals have been raised on 100% pasture for their entire life under the Pasture for Life Certification Standards (Version 5.1).
• Membership Annual membership at £120 per year (or £10 per month) providing access to events, regional groups, 200+ resources, webinars, member forum, WhatsApp groups, research participation and member-only content including study tours.
• Consultancy Services Bespoke, farmer-led farming solutions including grazing management, animal health and welfare, business planning, environmental monitoring, marketing, and certification assistance. Priced from £600+VAT per day.
• Pasture and Profit Programme Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange programme with in-person and online components, facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning on pasture-based systems.
• Events and Farm Visits Farm walks, study tours (including international destinations like Romania), webinars, dinners and regional events connecting members with pasture-based farming expertise. Minimum 6 events per region per year plus Winter Webinar series.
• Sustainability Assessment Tool New sustainability assessment tool for pasture-fed farms being developed in collaboration with the University of Reading to benchmark and certify environmental performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• PfL beef finishers average £404/head gross margin vs £238 for Farm Business Survey farms
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of ReadingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with University of Reading to develop a new sustainability assessment tool for pasture-fed farms.
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed research project SEEGSLIP comparing Pasture for Life farmers to Farm Business Survey data. Published research linking PfL membership longevity to higher grassland species richness.
• Lancaster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SEEGSLIP research project studying sustainable grazing systems and comparing PfL farm economics to national benchmarks.
• SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SEEGSLIP research and hosts farm events for Scottish beef and sheep farmers. Regional development manager for Scotland.
• Natural EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SEEGSLIP research project studying ecological and economic aspects of pasture-based farming.
• Newcastle UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration confirming that 100% grass-fed beef contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids (>40mg/100g), qualifying it as a source under European Food Standards.
• SEFARI ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEFARI Fellowship report on how Scotland can support a just transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture, with Dr Nikki Yoxall as joint author.
• Consortium for Labelling for the Environment, Animal Welfare and Regenerative Farming (CLEAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPasture for Life leads this consortium petitioning for clear and transparent food labeling to help consumers make informed choices about pasture-based products.
• Riverford's Get Fair About FarmingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborating with Riverford's campaign to demand transparency in defense of Britain's farms and support for farmers.
• Consensus on Food, Farming and NatureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorking with other organizations to build consensus on sustainable food, farming, and nature.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Soil Association Certification: The UK's leading organic certification body, certifying farms, processors, and retailers against organic standards. Highly comparable as a UK nonprofit standards and certification organization serving overlapping farmer and retailer audiences, though focused on organic rather than pasture-specific claims.
• LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming): UK charity promoting sustainable farming through Integrated Farm Management and the LEAF Marque certification. Comparable as a UK nonprofit promoting sustainable farming practices, with overlapping farmer audiences and some shared members.
• Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G): UK-based organic certification body licensing farms, processors, and importers. Directly comparable as a UK nonprofit certification organization serving organic and pasture-based farms, including some Pasture for Life members who also hold OF&G organic certification.
• RSPCA Assured: The RSPCA's farm animal welfare certification scheme covering beef, lamb, dairy, pigs, poultry, and salmon. Comparable as a UK nonprofit welfare-focused certification mark used by retailers and restaurants to signal higher animal welfare standards to consumers.
• A Greener World (Certified Animal Welfare Approved): US-headquartered nonprofit offering Certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed certifications for pasture-raised livestock. Closest international analog to PfL given its 100% pasture-fed grassfed certification and farmer-focused nonprofit model.

Regional players

• Quality Meat Scotland (QMS): Scottish red meat industry assurance body operating the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI, and Specially Selected Pork assurance schemes. Comparable as a regional livestock assurance scheme working with Scottish beef and sheep farmers, several of whom are PfL certified producers.

Broad incumbents

• Red Tractor Assurance: The UK's largest farm and food assurance scheme, covering crops, livestock, and dairy with a 'farm to fork' certification mark. Directly comparable as a UK food assurance body but operates broader standards at industry scale rather than pasture-specific certification.

Emerging players

• Regenerative Organic Certified (Rodale Institute): US-based high-bar certification combining organic, pasture-based, and social fairness standards for food, fiber, and personal care. Comparable as an emerging pasture-focused certification body but operates globally with broader regenerative scope rather than UK-specific pasture focus.
• Pasture Promise (Free Range Dairy): UK pasture-based dairy assurance scheme guaranteeing cows are grazed for a minimum number of days. Comparable as a UK nonprofit pasture-focused certification but specialized on dairy rather than meat and broader livestock.
• Biodynamic Association (Demeter UK): UK body representing biodynamic farming and administering the Demeter biodynamic certification. Comparable as a UK nonprofit standards body for alternative, values-driven farming systems with overlapping premium-producer audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PastureForLife
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pastureforlife7448
• Facebookfacebook.com/pastureforlife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pastureforlife
• Instagraminstagram.com/pastureforlife

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pasture-fed Livestock Association Cic