Earth Day!

Yesterday was dedicated to protecting our world and environment. Earth Day focuses on respecting and appreciating all our earth gives to us. And who does that better than farmers?

            Modern farmers have worked diligently to reduce their carbon footprint. After all, the earth is their entire livelihood. They’ve got to take care of it! In fact, since the 1982, farmers have reduced cropland erosion by nearly 50 percent! How’s that for taking care of the earth?

            One major concern of environmentalists is the greenhouse gas emission given off by cattle. However, according to Environmental Production Agency, beef production accounts for just 2.8 percent of America’s greenhouse gases, as opposed to the 26 percent made up by cars.

And compared to a farmer in 1977, we now produce 18 percent less carbon emissions! Today’s farmers also use 30 percent less land and require 14 percent less water. We have made a commitment to sustainability and do all we can to help the environment.

Many new practices have helped to bring about those impressive numbers. Grazing is an important and natural way to feed cattle that uses ground that often could not be farmed and convert forages into healthy, delicious beef. After all, 85 percent of America’s land isn’t fit for agricultural crops.

Some feedlots have also worked to compost their manure for use in places like golf courses, athletic fields, gardens etc. And our efficiency is incredible! The USA produces 20 percent of the world’s beef with just 7 percent of the world’s cattle!

I know at our ranch, and many others, we plant windbreaks to not only protect the cattle but to prevent ground erosion. Many ranchers also recycle cornstalks by baling them for cattle bedding.

Cattle pastures often serve as a home for wildlife as well, especially birds and often deer. And, of course, a windmill turns wind energy, which we use to run water pumps.

Clearly, America’s farmers and ranchers are doing their part to protect and help the environment. We strongly promote environmental stewardship. In fact, it was an important part of my Master’s of Beef Advocacy program!

So do your part this Earth Day and support America’s farmers and ranchers, the everyday environmentalists!

Bridget Beran

2011-2012 Kansas Herford Queen

To see more ways that farmers and ranchers are helping the environment, just follow this link to see all 40 ways: http://www.explorebeef.org/protectingresources.aspx

For more information:

http://www.explorebeef.org/CMDocs/ExploreBeef/FactSheet_EverydayEnvironmentalist.pdf

http://www.explorebeef.org/environment.aspx