How to Face Evolving Demands By JESSICA WESSON Certified Angus Beef® Sustainability doesn’t keep Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D., up at night. It’s how investments skyrocketed last year, urging companies to do something about it. And not just major companies, said Stackhouse-Lawson, director of AgNext at Colorado State University (CSU). There’s a trickle down effect all the way to cattle country. Everyone is paying attention. Globally, companies invested more than $30 billion in sustainability initiatives in 2020, and publicly traded companies and banks are quickly moving to capitalize, Stackhouse-Lawson said during the 16th Annual Feeding Quality Forum on August 25 in Fort Collins, Colorado. “These investments outperformed traditional stock. There will be an influx of dollars that enters this sustainability space quickly, and it’s going to be top down driven.” Consumers care, too. They want to know they are agents of change within sustainability and environment conversations, she said. “Some 75 percent of millennials believe that their investments can influence climate change, and 84 percent of them believe their investments can help lift people out of poverty,” StackhouseLawson said. “The Gen Z group is coming up now, and they care too.” Nearly all the major food processing companies are making net zero commitments to decrease their carbon emissions and footprint in the next couple of decades. While their definitions vary, one thing remains constant. “What I want you guys to know is that when a company commits to net zero, it 100 percent includes their entire value chain all the way down to the kernel of corn,” she said. “And even the fertilizer that’s going to go on that kernel of corn.” For some certified programs, that may even affect what cattle can eat. Cattle producers do a good job raising more beef with fewer resources, but more progress can be made, she said.
North Carolina Angus Association ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS
“You have probably heard the industry and scientists, me included, say that we have gotten better over time,” Stackhouse-Lawson explained. “And we have, but it depends on the lens in which you look through. We are efficient, but absolute emissions are still increasing.” Ranchers have a good story to tell, but more information is needed for truly effective communication, according to Stackhouse-Lawson. “The first thing I think is important to acknowledge when you talk about sustainability is that emotion and science are on equal footing,” StackhouseLawson said. “If you put them in a head-to-head race, emotion wins in the sustainability space nearly every time.” The narrative may be polarizing and complex, but she remains hopeful. “We’re behind in research. We don’t have a good start here for the supply chain, and there’s zero federal funding to look at greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle,” Stackhouse-Lawson said. “We’re really hoping that begins to change.” StackhouseLawson is leading the AgNext team at CSU to expand innovation for real time solutions for sustainability in animal agriculture and will start research efforts this fall. Until there is more quantifiable data, she suggested farmers and ranchers focus on genetic and management efficiencies. Choose and breed cattle that can do more with less. If cows in the herd are not producing, culling individual animals may need to be considered. She also said land management was another important area to focus on. “An easy example is the integration of livestock into cropping systems,” Stackhouse-Lawson said. “When we graze corn stubble, winter wheat, cover crops or something like that, the land is providing us a double win. We can also get a carbon benefit when we rotate those animals in.” Most cattlemen are already on the right track.
Backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Registered Angus genetics deliver better calving ease, more growth, and superior marbling. 455 GORE FAMILY ANGUS Mark & Lori Gore Tabor City 702-401-8005 455goreangus@gmail.com www.455farms.com 4K FARMS/TARHEEL ANGUS Richard D. Kirkman, DVM Siler City 919-742-5500 rdk.cefa@gmail.com BACK CREEK Joe & Robin Hampton Mt. Ulla 704-880-2488 (Joe); 704-880-3572 (Robin) robinbackcreek@att.net Facebook: Back Creek Angus BILTMORE ESTATE Kyle Mayberry - Manager Asheville 828-768-1956 livestock@biltmore.com www.biltmorelivestock.com FOUR S FARMS Kim & Connie and Jason & Robin Starnes Luther Lyerly - Manager Salisbury 704-640-5875 kim-4sfarms@carolina.rr.com GENTRY HOMEPLACE ANGUS Howard & Donna Gentry King 336-413-6698 whgentry@windstream.net GRAGG FARMS Paul, Chris, & David Gragg Boone 828-268-4136 (Paul); 828-268-4137 (Chris) 828-268-4135 (David) H&H FARMS Buddy & Jennifer Hamrick - Owners Bly Hamrick - Manager Boiling Springs 704-472-1912 jennham@bellsouth.net HARWARD SISTERS Brooke, Marcie, & Mattie Harward Richfield 704-322-9770 (Brooke) 704-322-5201 (Marcie); 704-322-0831 (Mattie) harwardsisters@gmail.com www.harwardsisters.com HILL ANGUS FARM Dr. Gary M. Hill Hendersonville 229-848-3695 gmhill@uga.edu JACK KNOB FARMS Karl, Janet, & Logan Gillespie Franklin 828-371-2220 karl@jackknobfarms.com www.jackknobfarms.com
bundylane@hughes.net laneangusbeef@gmail.com www.laneangusbeef.com PANTHER CREEK FARMS John C. Smith, Jr. Pink Hill 252-526-1929 JohnSmith3982@embarqmail.com S&J Farms Steven & Julie Lung Nathan Lung - Manager Carthage 910-947-3414 sandjfarms2013@gmail.com SMITH CREEK ANGUS FARM Marty & Lynne Rooker Norlina 252-213-1553 mrooker@mrookerlaw.com SPRINGFIELD ANGUS Phil Goodson Alex Askew Louisburg 919-880-9062 (Phil) 910-260-2899 (Alex) philgoodson2@gmail.com www.springfieldangus.com TRIPLE LLL ANGUS Greg Little Monroe 704-219-1294 greg.little@ATImetals.com VANDEMARK ANGUS Keaton & Janie Vandemark Spring Hope 252-885-0210 keaton@vandemarkfarms.com WINDY HILL FARMS, LLC Michael A. Moss Will Moss - Manager Ramseur 336-549-0070 (Mike); 336-460-7451 (Will) michaelmoss@rtmc.net WINSLOW GENETICS Ben & Kathleen Winslow Halifax 252-578-5487 bensbulls@gmail.com WOOD ANGUS FARM, LLC Russell Wood Willow Spring 919-275-4397 rwood4400@gmail.com www.woodangus.com
Sharon Rogers
NCAA Executive Secretary 336-583-9630 Email: ncaa.sec@gmail.com Website: www.ncangus.org
LANE ANGUS Roger & Bundy Lane Bundy Lane - Manager Gates 252-398-7705 (Bundy); 252-398-7719 (Miranda) 252-357-1279 (Office)
The Carolina Cattle Connection
q DECEMBER 2021
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