The adjective 'land-fed' describes something that derives its sustenance or resource primarily from the land. This can encompass various contexts, from agricultural practices where animals consume crops grown on land, to ecosystems where plants and animals depend on the soil and terrestrial resources for survival. It emphasizes a connection to the earth and a reliance on its bounty. The term highlights the origin of the resource, drawing a distinction between materials coming from terrestrial systems and those coming from marine or aquatic systems. It often implies a natural or unprocessed source of sustenance, highlighting a closer relationship to the natural environment.
Land-fed meaning with examples
- The farmer's prize-winning cattle were land-fed, raised on a diet of rich grasses and grains grown directly on his sprawling fields. This produced high-quality meat with a distinctive flavor profile, enjoyed by local markets.
- The environmental impact of land-fed agriculture must be carefully monitored. The practices are often sustainable and less reliant on the import of external resources such as fish meal and water from outside sources, reducing the need to damage off-site eco-systems.
- The pristine mountain spring provided land-fed water to the valley’s residents, flowing through the soil, which was naturally filtered and providing essential minerals from the earth itself.
- The biologist studied the land-fed insects. These played a vital role in the ecosystem, supporting a whole food chain, including birds and small mammals which in turn provided land fed resources of their own.