NCBA works to support a pro-producer business climate protecting the value that cattle producers bring to the table , while welcoming new producers and existing supply chain partners . To build resiliency , NCBA is actively engaged in the following efforts :
• Work with the U . S . Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to assemble experts to develop an index to objectively measure economic health in the beef production supply chain .
• Conduct outreach to the investing and finance industries on the environmental and conservation value of beef production in the U . S .
• Address regulatory and economic challenges to increase producer value capture .
• Promote resource and education in grazing management practices , improved animal care and handling , and alternative marketing opportunities that result in added producer value capture .
• Promote transition planning and increase percentage of operations passing to the next generation of cattle producers .
• Support and engage in the development of ecosystem services markets .
• Engage in Farm Bill advocacy to raise value and eligibility for cattle producers in existing voluntary conservation programs .
The opportunities to build resiliency are vast , and NCBA recognizes the need to support producers in both conventional and unconventional ways .
Looking Forward
As America ’ s cattle producers look to the future , there will be more challenges ahead . A growing population , increasingly volatile weather patterns , increasing consumer demand for information about their food , and rising input costs all impact the day-to-day operations on farms and ranches . However , by preparing for the future , producers can ensure they are ready to tackle whatever challenges come their way . These goals have set a high bar for the industry to reach , but the industry ’ s ingenuity and competitive spirit will be the key to addressing these challenges and achieving the goals . NCBA strives to be a galvanizing force to not only serve cattle producers today , but to drive the industry forward for generations to come . For more information on NCBA ’ s efforts visit ncba . org / producers / sustainability .
Sources
1 . Cusack , D . F ., Kazanski , C . E ., Hedgpeth , A ., Chow , K ., Cordeiro , A . L ., Karpman , J . and Ryals , R . ( 2021 ), Reducing climate impacts of beef production : A synthesis of life cycle assessments across management systems and global regions . Glob . Change Biol ., 27 : 1721-1736 . https :// doi . org / 10.1111 / gcb . 15509 .
2 . U . S . Environmental Protection Agency . Inventory of U . S . Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks . Available at : https :// www . epa . gov / ghgemissions / inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks .
3 . FAO-STAT . Emissions intensities . Available at : https :// www . fao . org / faostat /
4 . Taylor , DT , et al . 2019 . National and State Economic Values of Cattle Ranching and Farming Based Ecosystem Services in the U . S . University of Wyoming Extension B-1338 .
5 . Rotz et al . ( 2019 ). Environmental footprints of beef cattle production in the United States - ScienceDirect
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