Why Pasture Raised Beef is Good for the Planet

Sustainable grass-raised cattle ranching not only contributes to your family’s healthy diet, but is equally important for a healthy ecosystem. Regenerative and responsible grazing techniques preserve important grassland habitat for plant and wildlife biodiversity, improve watersheds, reduce soil erosion and increase carbon sequestration.  All this, while keeping “family” on the farm and contributing to the local economy.

Regenerative grazing means that our cattle are moved frequently, giving grasslands extended periods of rest, similar to the movement of bison. By not using chemicals and pesticides. By using offstream natural water sources. By keeping the land in a natural state, we provide habitat for a diverse species of wildlife and insect species.  Grazing is an important part of the grassland ecosystem and nutrient recycling. This encourages plant diversity by using manure as a natural fertilizer and naturally distributing native seeds to aid the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, essential for soil health.  By keeping pasturelands in this natural state, we are protecting endangered grasslands from tillage and industrial development.  

How does this happen? The act of grazing takes old grass off to allow roots access to sunlight, which in turn, allows the plants to grow fresh grasses. Cattle hooves break down the soil’s crust, which increases moisture infiltration, decreases runoff and soil erosion.  Take the animal impact away and both soil health and plant/wildlife species diversity decreases.  Want another opinion?  Check out David Suzuki’s Grasslands: A Hidden Wilderness, studied and filmed in Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park.  Cattle were removed from the park for nearly two decades, meanwhile on the other side of the fence local ranchers continued to sustainably graze their cattle.  What was actually found was the biodiversity and soil health actually decreased with the absence of grazers.  Now Parks Canada has partnered with local ranchers to re-introduce sustainably grazed cattle to the park.

Endangered grasslands doesn’t sound like a relevant local problem?  Canada’s native grasslands are actually one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Did you know that it is estimated Canada has roughly 25% of our native grasslands remaining?  The rest has been lost to row-crop agriculture and urban sprawl.  Statistics are similar here in Alberta, according to Multisar 74% of native grasslands have been lost right here due to cultivation, industrial activity, urban development  and abuse. 

Still prefer plant based protein? Consider this.  Silicon Valley has invested millions in highly processed meat alternatives, and advertise that proteins engineered in a factory are a better alternative than what NATURE has always provided.  Grass fed beef convert cellulose (GRASS), not digestible by humans, into a natural protein that is digestible by humans.  Now take a look at the financial statements of this big processed protein business.  This lab produced protein occurs at large profits, even after the scientists, the clearcutting forests for soy production or cultivation for more pulse crops, the factory processing, the packaging and then shipping across the world!  The margins on processed protein are far beyond the margins local families can carve out of raising beef.  What does that tell you about the quality and nutrients of these processed products?

Native grasslands, have been recognized to slow climate change, acting as huge potential sinks for carbon if properly managed.  Want a direct role in this? Support local regenerative producers and help prevent the further degradation of our precious grasslands, while feeding your family high quality, nutrient dense natural protein.

Sources:

Multisar.ca

Nature of Things

Nature Conservancy of Canada