In honor of Beef Month, Local Beef Specialist Beth Doran Provides Facts About the Industry
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef recently released sustainability goals for the beef industry, targeting six priority areas. Three areas – land resources, water resources, and air and greenhouse gas emissions – specifically relate to the environment.
 “These priority areas are not new – cattle producers have a long history of working to protect and preserve the environment,” said Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
 Land Resources
Most cattle grazing in Iowa are on land unsuitable for row crops – steep, poorer soil, or low-lying areas prone to flooding. This provides multiple benefits to the environment. Cattle convert inedible plants into high quality protein and by-products, while also supporting biodiversity, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration and nutrient recycling.
 Water Resources
According to Doran, Iowa cattle producers are also concerned about water quality.
 Some producers who graze cattle have implemented a grazing plan; others have installed limited access areas to protect streams and ponds.
 
Feedlot producers have solids settling systems to remove the solids from the effluent, with both the effluent and solids later applied to grass or growing crops. And a newer technology being implemented by feedlot producers is the composting of manure and cattle bedding.
 Air and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
“As for air quality, there is a misconception as to what are the major sources of air and greenhouse gas emissions,” Doran said.
 According to an inventory report by the Environmental Protection Agency, 2.2 percent of U.S. emissions (gases from belches and manure) come directly from beef cattle. Transportation, electricity, and industry contribute 27 percent, 25 percent, and 24 percent, respectively, to total U.S emissions.      
 Even so, cattle producers employ various techniques to reduce emissions, such as quickly incorporating manure into the soil and using feed additives to reduce the amount of methane naturally produced by the animal and to improve feed digestibility.
 So, has the beef industry accomplished all possible? 
 “No, but cattle producers continue to adapt to new technologies and strategies to ensure high quality soil, water and air for all Iowans,” Doran said. “Let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.” 
 As always, questions about beef production are welcome. Please contact me (Beth Doran, ISU Extension and Outreach Beef Specialist) at 712-737-4230 or doranb@iastate.edu with any questions or for more information.