The beef industry improved in sustainability by 5% in six years, according to results from the checkoff-funded Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment.
The beef sustainability assessment is a detailed examination that takes every aspect of beef production into account, according to Richard Gebhart, cow and calf producer from Claremore, Okla.
“We examined all the inputs and outputs required to produce a pound of boneless, edible beef, and we did that for the 1970s, 2005 and 2011," said Gebhart, who served on the sustainability advisory panel. He explained that the 1970s and 2005 each represent major shifts in beef production practices, while 2011 represents present-day.
Innovations that have advanced sustainability include improvements in crop yields, better irrigation, innovations in the packing sector, improvements in technology and better animal performance, according to Kim Stackouse-Lawson, Ph.D., director of sustainability for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program.
“The completion of the life cycle assessment (LCA) project provides the industry, for the first time, the science-based evidence necessary to lead conversations about the sustainability of beef," Stackhouse-Lawson said. “The Beef Checkoff and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee had the foresight three years ago to see the importance of this work and make it a priority for the industry."
Stackhouse-Lawson added that during the six years between 2005 and 2011, the beef industry has reduced environmental impacts by 7%, improved its overall sustainability by 5%, reduced emissions to soil by 7%, reduced emissions to water by 10% and lessened occupational accidents and illnesses by 32%.
“The results of the Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment, which was just certified by the National Standards Foundation (NSF), show the industry is on a path of continuous improvement," Stackhouse-Lawson said. “When we talk about the sustainability of an industry, that’s what it’s all about, getting better over time. As an industry, beef is doing a good job at making progress on the path toward a more sustainable future."
The beef sustainability assessment is a detailed examination that takes every aspect of beef production into account, according to Richard Gebhart, cow and calf producer from Claremore, Okla.
“We examined all the inputs and outputs required to produce a pound of boneless, edible beef, and we did that for the 1970s, 2005 and 2011," said Gebhart, who served on the sustainability advisory panel. He explained that the 1970s and 2005 each represent major shifts in beef production practices, while 2011 represents present-day.
Innovations that have advanced sustainability include improvements in crop yields, better irrigation, innovations in the packing sector, improvements in technology and better animal performance, according to Kim Stackouse-Lawson, Ph.D., director of sustainability for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program.
“The completion of the life cycle assessment (LCA) project provides the industry, for the first time, the science-based evidence necessary to lead conversations about the sustainability of beef," Stackhouse-Lawson said. “The Beef Checkoff and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee had the foresight three years ago to see the importance of this work and make it a priority for the industry."
Stackhouse-Lawson added that during the six years between 2005 and 2011, the beef industry has reduced environmental impacts by 7%, improved its overall sustainability by 5%, reduced emissions to soil by 7%, reduced emissions to water by 10% and lessened occupational accidents and illnesses by 32%.
“The results of the Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment, which was just certified by the National Standards Foundation (NSF), show the industry is on a path of continuous improvement," Stackhouse-Lawson said. “When we talk about the sustainability of an industry, that’s what it’s all about, getting better over time. As an industry, beef is doing a good job at making progress on the path toward a more sustainable future."
