FACTORING into the sustainability equation the nutritional value of beef and the extent to which its production makes use of non-arable land was a key concept to emerge from an international industry event in Ireland this month.
NSW beef breeder and Cattle Council of Australia vice president Tony Hegarty presented at the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef in Kilkenny.
He said the idea was promoted of measuring the beef industry’s greenhouse gas emissions not just against straight kilograms produced but against the nutrient dense nature of that beef and the use of land unsuitable for other forms of food production.
“The industry needs to tell the story we produce a nutrient-rich food which is very important to the requirements of an increasing world population,” Mr Hegarty said.
“The ruminant animal’s role in the maintenance of grasslands is not being valued as it should. It is the only tool we have with non-arable land.
“Societies as a rule value arable land for cropping, and forest, but not grasslands.
“As livestock producers we have to prosecute that case better.”
The thinking was shared by all regions and Australia should definitely be on board, Mr Hegarty argued.
The conference attracted leaders from national sustainable beef roundtables around the world - 25 countries were represented - and the speaker line-up included beef producers, scientists and big global businesses such as McDonald's and Cargill.
Mr Hegarty, who runs a crossbreeding program for European Union or feedlot markets in the western Hunter Valley, showcased the work Australia was doing via the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.
He said much admiration was expressed for Australia’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“It’s ambitious however we have already made progress in that direction and working out how we will deliver on it was up to our industry” he said.
“What impressed our colleagues was that was it was seen as a positive approach, rather than defensive.
“Most times when we are conversing we are defending ourselves and the belief is we have to turn that around and be on the front foot.”
Australia’s beef sustainability efforts were somewhat different to those of other nations in that they include measurements across whole-of-industry and engage with stakeholders both within the industry and outside, Mr Hegarty reported.
“Ours is also strongly producer-driven, rather than having peak bodies and retailers saying this is where we’ll go,” he said.
There were many similarities - social licence issues were the same across the board and no countries had gone down the track of prescription production practices - but there were also unique problems to deal with.
“For instance, there is a large unproductive latent herd in some regions, which is counted in the whole picture of the beef industry’s sustainability,” Mr Hegarty explained.
“In India, for example, the cow is sacred and in some parts of Africa it is a status symbol to have cows. These cattle are cultural icons, not productive in any way, but are included as part of our emission footprint.
“This fits in with our need to lift productivity of our own national herd to address the global footprint of the beef industry”.
Shan Goodwin
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
