Sustainability in Canada’s Cattle Production

Cattle producers have always been respected by Canadians for their commitment to the land. Canada is the second largest country in the world and has an abundance of fresh water and wide open spaces. Often the land used for grazing by cattle is not well suited to other types of agriculture; cattle production allows this area to be used productively. For a cattle operation to be sustainable, soil and water quality must be closely monitored and maintained. Provincial and federal laws protect the natural environment and support the safety and wholesomeness of Canadian beef.

Sustainability is an important issue to everyone in Canada’s cattle industry. Ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture is an integral part of the Canadian Beef brand promise to industry and consumers alike. As a matter of fact, the clean, pristine and natural environment in which Canadian beef is produced is one of the reasons why the product is so highly regarded around the world. Canadian beef gives you piece of mind that the sustainability of the natural environment is top of mind for the 83,000 Canada’s beef producing families.

Family owned cattle operations that have been operating for multiple generations protect the soil, water and ecosystem to ensure that these resources are in good condition when they are passed on to the next generation. Some cattle producers develop environmental farm plans that help them utilize good management practices reducing the environmental footprint of Canadian agriculture.

Canada’s world-class efficiencies in cattle production continue to decrease our carbon footprint

As part of the digestion process, cattle produce the green house gas methane. These emissions from cattle vary with feed quality and digestibility. As the quality of the feed increases, emissions per pound of meat produced decreases.

In Canada the quality of feed and pastures exceeds that of most other countries. In fact, Canadian scientists have estimated that green house gas emissions/kg live animal weight decreased from 16.4 kg to 10.4 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents from 1981 to 2006 (Vergé et al., 2008, Greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian beef industry).

Selective breeding has led to cattle that use feed more efficiently, produce less manure, and minimize green house gas emissions. In Canada in 2008, transportation produced three times more greenhouse gas emissions than all of agriculture combined. Meanwhile, Canadian agriculture is responsible for only about 8.6 per cent of Canada’s Green House Gas (GHG) emissions (Environment Canada, 2010, National Inventory Report).

Canadian beef contributes to healthy soils and grasslands

In Canada, nearly one third of our agricultural land is unsuitable for crops, but is suitable for grasses which are used to raise grazing livestock and support wildlife. A mixture of grains is used only during the finishing stage, which lasts about 4-6 months. This more than doubles the land area that can be used to produce food in Canada.

Unlike annual crops, perennial grasses used for grazing devote much of their energy into root stores that allow them to survive the winter. This root mass stabilizes the soil, reduces soil and water erosion and promotes aeration and water filtration. The roots eventually die and contribute to soil organic matter. It’s economical, natural, effective carbon sequestration.

Appropriate grazing management supports healthy grassland and soil ecosystems by maintaining plant vigour, and minimizing encroachment by brush, weeds, and other invasive species. Healthy grasslands also encourage biodiversity by providing a natural habitat in which native plants, insects, birds and wildlife can co-exist and thrive alongside cattle.

Cattle producers manage the environment along rivers and streams

Producers make it a priority to maintain water quality, wildlife habitat and cattle productivity. Fencing cattle out of the most sensitive areas and other measures such as fencing “buffer strips” help to ensure healthy shoreline vegetation. This in turn filters sediment and provides fish, wildlife and bird habitat. Solar- powered pumps can be used to move water into troughs giving cattle clean fresh water and discouraging them from walking into the streams.

The beef industry also plays an important role in ensuring that feedlots and cattle wintering sites are located so that runoff does not enter watercourses.

Canada’s cattle producers show ongoing commitment to sustainability

Through the National Check-off, Canadian Beef producers fund scientific research aimed at improving the sustainability of Canadian Beef. For instance, numerous studies are underway to look into ways of improving feed efficiency (the ability of cattle to convert feed to meat). Improved feed efficiency translates directly into decreased green house gas emission and less manure production. Other research is studying ways to improve forage and grassland productivity, both in terms of increasing yields of cattle feed produced, but also improved carbon sequestration through increased root growth.

Canada’s beef industry encourages environmental stewardship among cattle producers. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association created the annual Environmental Stewardship Award in 1996 to recognize Canadian ranchers and as of recently also feedlot operators who have made significant efforts, improvements and contributions to environmental stewardship in their operations.

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