Protecting the environment, one cattle farm at a time

(ARA) - Cattle ranchers and farmers are considered to be one of the greenest professions from a diverse list of jobs, according to a recent survey. Cattle ranchers were selected as the third greenest profession from a diverse list of jobs, with park rangers topping the list. In fact, 86 percent of those surveyed think that cattle farmers and ranchers are committed to environmental preservation.

More than 1 million American cattle ranchers and farmers are stewards for millions of acres of public and private lands from coast to coast. So while they might be more apt to ride a horse than a bicycle, they come from a long line of everyday environmentalists.

Still, most Americans surveyed by IPSOS Public Affairs for The Beef Checkoff Program haven't seen up close what many ranchers and farmers do to protect the environment. Only 22 percent of people surveyed had firsthand experience with a cattle rancher or farmer. Most form their impressions from newspapers and magazines (21 percent) and TV shows and movies about the American West (30 percent).

Gary Teague can personally attest to the ecological commitment from U.S. beef producers and incorporates sustainable practices into his cattle operation whenever possible.

A "green factory farmer"

As a self-proclaimed "green factory farmer," Teague and his family practice earth-friendly ranching techniques on his feedlot in Fort Morgan, Colo. Like nearly two-thirds of cattle farms and ranches in the U.S., Teague intends to keep his operation family-owned and operated.

"As a family, we are truly passionate about the land and the animals. Preserving natural resources is how we make our living and how we secure our family business for future generations," Teague says.

Founded in 1994, Teague Diversified, Inc. now includes a 25,000-head feedlot, 2,500 cows and several ranches in Nebraska and Colorado. The operation produces traditional grain-fed, natural and branded beef - all while protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.

The Teague family's compost highlights their passionate commitment to the land and animals. They combine the animal waste with organic products that come from local food processing facilities. In four to six weeks, the nutrients are bound together, creating an excellent fertilizer for lawns. The finished product not only recycles waste into something useful, but decreases the amount of water needed for lawns, thereby conserving one of Colorado's most precious resources.

Every day is a good day for the environment

Composting is just one way U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers incorporate earth-friendly techniques in their everyday work. In recognition of protecting the environment, cattle ranchers across the country are celebrating 40 different ways they help the environment. Cattle are raised in every state in the nation, in nearly every type of climate and geography. While the practices may vary from region to region, the goal is the same: leave the land in better shape for the next generation.

Among this list of 40 earth-friendly practices are actions to prevent erosion, maintain clean waterways, guard and increase wildlife and recycle resources. More than half of Americans surveyed recognized the significance of these efforts, believing that activities such as planting crops and grasses to control erosion, rotating cattle pastures to prevent overgrazing and planting trees to provide windbreaks and shelter - all of which are part of everyday life to cattlemen - play a key role in protecting our environment.

Consumers aren't the only ones who find the actions of farmers and ranchers critical to protecting our environment. For example, a group of sportsmen, conservation and outdoor interests, including The Nature Conservancy, are collaborating on a new "Thank a Rancher" campaign in Wyoming that recognizes the importance of agriculture and ranching in maintaining open spaces and conserving wildlife habitat.

"Every day is Earth Day on our ranch. It's the right thing to do, and our ability to keep feeding Americans depends on it," Teague says. "As stewards of this land, it's our job to ensure it's left in better shape for our children and grandchildren."

Cattlemen feed the world

The environmental consciousness of cattle farmers and ranchers proves increasingly important to the world's food supply. Today's cattlemen provide more people with nutritious beef products using fewer natural resources than in the past, revealing the success of adopting green farming techniques. According to the Agriculture Council of America, the average American farmer feeds about 144 people worldwide. Experts with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimate that global food production will need to increase 70 percent by 2050 to accommodate the growing world population.

So far, U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers are on the right track. Modern livestock production has experienced a marked improvement in efficiency, leading to significantly decreased numbers of animals to produce a given amount of product that satisfies the nutritional demands by society. Furthermore, thanks to smart food production practices, raising livestock in the U.S. accounts for less than 3 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA.

Courtesy of ARAcontent