Earth Day recognizes what America’s beef producers already celebrate every day – the land and water resources that represent both our livelihood and our legacy to future generations.  

Earth Day isn’t a political or social statement, it’s our way of life. We take care of the Earth every day because it is our livelihood and our legacy to future generations of cattle producers. 

• When you eat beef, you support a group of American businessmen and women who responsibly care for this country’s natural resources and help feed the world.

• Today's American farmer feeds about 144 people worldwide.

• Ninety-eight percent of ranches and farms are family operations and most are handed down from generation to generation along with the tradition of taking care of the land and animals.
• As stewards of the land and members of local communities, beef producers take steps every day to responsibly maintain the environment where we work and live.
• Beef producers have followed best practices for maintaining water, soil and air for generations. In fact, we are leaders in resource conservation.

Like many Americans, those of us who raise cattle are doing our part to protect the environment and have been doing so since cattle first came to this country.

• Grazing cattle is an example of a responsible land management practice that has been in use for hundreds of years. Grazing allows the use of land which is not suitable for growing crops and offers benefits in battling erosion, invasive plant species and wildfires.

·         More than half the agricultural land in the United States is unsuitable for crop production. Grazing animals on this land more than doubles the land area that can be used to produce food in this country.

o        In areas where land erosion is an issue, cattle can help stabilize the soil and promote expanded growth of grasses.

·         Today, the United States is significantly ahead of the world in managing livestock production in an environmentally friendly manner – both in terms of carbon footprint and land use.  

To strengthen beef producers’ environmental stewardship, the beef industry promotes conservation efforts and provides education to help producers adapt and maintain sustainable practices.

• Partners in the beef production chain work together to educate beef producers about good environmental practices and provide incentives for producers who are leaders in conservation efforts.

• On a national, regional and state level, beef producers partner with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Society for Range Management and National Audubon Society.

• The Environmental Stewardship Award is the nation’s longest running food and agriculture award. Established in 1991, the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and award sponsors, such as Natural Resources Conservation Service, reward cattle producers who implement conservation and environmental stewardship practices.

• The program has recognized the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers for almost two decades.
• Regional and national award winners are honored for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitat while operating profitable cattle operations.

This FYI is funded by The Beef Checkoff