This year I got my Master of Beef Advocacy Degree from the National Cattleman's Beef University and The Beef Checkoff Program.

As soon as I could I but it to work, I joined the Idaho Beer Council at the Elementary School in Gooding Idaho for their food fair to promote the importance of Beef in a balanced diet.

Feeding and caring for animals at Will Feed

Tracking Beef’s Shrinking Footprint ( fromThe RAAA news letter)

A study published in this month’s Journal of Animal Science found that raising a pound of beef in the United States today uses significantly fewer natural resources, including land, water, feed and fuel than in the past. “The Environmental Impact of Beef Production in the United States: 1977 compared with 2007” (Journal of Animal Science, December 18, 2011) by Jude Capper, Ph.D., Washington State University, documents that each pound of beef raised in 2007 used 33 percent less land, 12 percent less water, 19 percent less feed and 9 percent less fossil fuel energy than equivalent beef production in 1977. Waste outputs were similarly reduced, shrinking the carbon footprint of beef by 16.3 percent in 30 years.

According to Capper’s research, improvements in the way cattle are raised and fed in the United States between 1977 and 2007 yielded 13 percent more total beef from 30 percent fewer animals. Raising more beef from fewer animals maximizes natural resources while providing essential nutrients for the human diet. As the population increases, it is crucial to continue the improvements demonstrated over the past 30 years to meet demand for nutrient-rich beef while reducing resource use and mitigating environmental impact. Turning back the clock on these advancements is not the solution to feeding a world population that recently reached 7 billion and will grow to 10 billion by the year 2050, concludes the author.

“As the number of mouths to feed increases and the quality of diets in many areas around the world improves, the demand for nutrient-rich protein like beef will increase,” says Capper. “At the same time, resources like land, water and fossil fuels will become increasingly scarce. These realities are like two trains speeding toward each other on the same track. If we listen to alarmists shouting at us to slow down, we could face a head-on collision of epic proportions. The only way to avoid this disaster is to accelerate the pace of progress.”

Capper attributes much of the reduction in beef’s environmental footprint to raising cattle on grass pasture before finishing them on an optimal balanced diet of grasses, grains and other forages in a feedyard. According to previous research conducted by Capper, each pound of grain-finished beef requires 45 percent less land, 76 percent less water and 49 percent less feed and at the same time generates 51 percent less manure and 42 percent fewer carbon emissions than grass-finished beef.

“As we work on solutions for the future it is important to understand how far the U.S. livestock industry has come in reducing its environmental footprint in the recent past and how this significant reduction was achieved,” says Capper. “The facts are in. Improved cattle diets in the feedyard and responsible use of science-based technologies to improve the ability of cattle to convert feed to pounds of beef, reduces the amount of land, water and fossil fuels it takes to raise beef. “

Capper says focusing resources to provide more nutrient rich foods like beef, which provides more than 10 percent of the daily recommended value of ten essential nutrients and vitamins for less than ten percent of daily calories (based on a 2,000 calorie per-day diet), is a critical success factor in meeting nutrition needs at home and abroad.

”Making the best use of resources like land, water and energy to raise nutrient-rich beef is the key to sustainability,” says Capper. “The result is delicious, healthful beef you can feel good about.”

This project was supported by the Beef Checkoff Program through a research grant from state beef councils in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Washington.

Learn more about your beef checkoff at

Power of Protein

There are plenty of powerful health reasons to put high quality protein including lean beef protein, at the center of your plate:

Manage your weight

Lower your risk of heart disease

Improve your blood sugars

Make your bones stronger

Read the entire article by following the link.

Beef Nutrition Facts

Red meat's fat profile is often misunderstood and a common misperception is that animal proteins provide only saturated fat.  Surprisingly, half the fat in beef is monounsaturated, the same type of heart-healthy fat found in salmon and olive oil.  In addition, one-third of the saturated fat in beef is stearic acid, which studies have shown has a neutral or cholesterol-lowering effect. 

the Idaho Beef Council 

Red Angus plays a strong role in profitable ranching

Cattlemen across the nation are recognizing the role genetics play in increasing both quality and profitability of their cowherds. Breeders and industry professionals who attended the annual BrainTrust meeting in Denver, Colo., held during the National Western Stock Show, discussed the direction of the beef cattle industry and Red Angus’ impact on profitability.

For complete story follow this link

I Have Been Giving This Some Thought

 I am not sure if the majority of the American Consumers really understands the impact that the loss of BLM ground for grazing will have on their personal and financial lives.

Once upon a time Buffalo roamed the plains. Sadly, this is no longer true; but when they did roam, they grazed and in the search for food, they also cut large paths that acted as firebreaks. The thundering herds of Buffalo did not harm the environment; the fact is that they worked the ground with their hoofs and grazed off vegetation that later in the summer would become a fire hazard.  The grazing off of this vegetation in now done by cattle and other livestock, their hoofs now work the ground and stimulate the new growth of vegetation that not only feeds the livestock the following spring but the wild game during the winter months.

Wildfires happen it is just part of nature; the fact is that the cattle graze off the fuel that feeds these wildfires, which in turn saves wildlife habitats, and the scenic beauty that we have all grown to expect.  Wildfires cost the American taxpayers millions of dollars per year to put them out. The loss of grazing permits means you as taxpayers will have to foot the bill for not only putting out the fire but also the lost trees, vegetation and habitats.

Ranchers and cattlemen are great environmentalist. We as American consumers need them and the wildlife needs them. After a wildfire, the cattle and livestock still need to be fed, watered and cared for; to meet the needs of their cattle, or livestock. These hard working souls (rancher, cattlemen) work to return the burnt out BLM ground to it natural state, clean water ways so that they run freely, and reseed vegetation usually at their own expense; this is done to not only to feed their livestock; but also to repair the wildlife habitats.To be a true Stewart (environmentalist) of the land you have to get your hands dirty.

Ranchers, Cowboys, Cattlemen live and breath their lifestyle; they are not on a vacation their way of life is hard work. The one perk that they do have is the beauty of the great outdoors, even though it comes with extremely hot summers and very cold winters. 

As I said; Buffalo once roamed; how sad it will be if generations to come say, once upon a time there were Cowboys/Cowgirls, Ranchers, and Cattlemen/Cattlewomen.

Remember that food we eat does not grow on the grocery store shelves.

Keep America strong let us eat what we grow; Look for the Country of Origin on the label.

 That’s my opinion and story and I am sticking to it.

Cattlemen, Ranchers, Farmers, Are the Backs on which This Country was Built

Cattlemen, Ranchers, Farmers are in my opinion a soft spoken, hard working, breed. Most spend their days from sun up to long after the sun goes down seven days a week twelve months a year working alone; So when they do speak I found that I better be listening.

Here lately these hard work souls have been being attacked by some who would like to but them out of business.  Here are a few videos you won't see on the Evening News. If they go out of business we as a Nation will most likely go hungry.