Canada’s beef producers continually strive toward improvement, and it shows. Their commitment to responsible agriculture has led to drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a comprehensive study of the Canadian beef industry’s environmental footprint. Improvements in livestock management practices and techniques are credited as being the reason for reduced emissions, and these developments could only happen with the commitment to responsibility shared by our nation’s beef producers. Follow the link below to read the full article.

 

Conducted by researchers at the University of Manitoba, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lethbridge and Environment Canada, the study found that there has been a 15% decrease in methane, 16% decrease in nitrous dioxide and 13% decrease in carbon dioxide from beef production in Canada over the recent 30 year period. Comparing the same time periods, it took 29% fewer cattle in the breeding herd and 24% less land to produce the same amount of beef. This study explored the entire production system – from cow-calf to feedlot. Future phases of the study will assess the impact of Canadian beef production in areas such as water use, biodiversity and provision of ecosystems services.

 

Beef Cattle Research Council