May Is National Beef Month!
go.ncsu.edu/readext?799572
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲Beef. It’s what’s for dinner. Whether enjoying a tasty cheeseburger or a juicy ribeye, beef is a healthy and delicious option for any meal. Ranchers and farmers throughout the United States, North Carolina, and even Rutherford County strive to produce this nutritious product by caring for their animals and caring for the land. Cattle, through digestion, utilize forages and plant waste that is non-digestible by humans. In fact, 90% of a cow’s diet consists of plants that could not otherwise be converted to food energy for humans. Beef farmers aim to maintain a sustainable food system while providing excellent care of their animals.
Beef producers are committed to producing beef in a way that prioritizes the planet, people, environment, and progress. The U.S. is the leader in sustainable beef production. Research recently conducted by the U.S.D.A.’s Agricultural Research Service and The Beef Checkoff, and confirmed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, reported beef production, including the production of animal feed, accounts for only 3.3% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (for comparison, electricity and heat production are 25%, industry is 21%, and transportation is 14%).
You may ask, what about Rutherford County? Where is the beef in this county? And what are farmers doing locally to increase sustainability and decrease the environmental impact?
Beef cattle are an important agricultural product for Rutherford County. Collectively, Rutherford County beef producers have approximately 4,600 head of beef cows. Total cattle numbers are estimated at a little over 8,000 head. Cattle farmers across the county implement best management practices to ensure both the welfare of their animals, and of the land. Many local farmers have fenced their livestock out of waterways to prevent any contamination. Others have decided to implement a grass-only diet (grass-fed) for their cattle which limits the need for transportation of feed to those farms. Certain farmers participate in conservation programs which improve the land by encouraging wildlife habitat and provide a permanent ground cover which prevents silt in waterways during floods.
Regarding animal welfare, many farmers in the county are certified through a national registry as a Beef Quality Assurance producer. This certification promotes the health, welfare and safety of the animals. Farmers understand that if they do not have healthy cows and healthy land they will not benefit economically.
As a cattle farmer in the county, as well as the Livestock Extension Agent, I am often faced with questions regarding cattle and the impact they have on the environment. Utilizing best management practices, common sense, and the love that farmers have for their animals and their land, there is a way to have your steak and eat it too.
For further information contact Jeff Bradley, Livestock Extension Agent, Ruherford County, (828) 287-6022.