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Episode Summary

For consumers, there is a certain level of credibility that comes from beef producers discussing sustainable production practices. On today’s episode, I sit down with south Texas cattle rancher, Payton Kaiser, and fourth-generation farmer, Blake Foster. They explain how cattle contribute to global sustainability and help meet the needs of a growing population.

Payton and I start the episode by discussing the value of efficiently using resources when it comes to sustainable practices, as well as the importance of water in cattle production. Payton describes how he finds the best ways to use his resources within his cattle operation, the 7P Cattle Co. Additionally, Payton emphasizes how the fact that we still eat beef today proves cattle production has been sustainable for hundreds of years. This is due to cattle’s ability to be upcyclers, which is the process of taking something of low quality and turning it into high quality.

The key to creating a healthy, sustainable food system is effectively using resources, and as Dr. McNeill noted last episode, reducing waste. Blake described how even in food and fiber production, cattle assist in reducing waste to contribute to global sustainability. Additionally, Blake provided a unique perspective on cattle being upcyclers of the land. As he explained, cattle play a pretty important role not only in beef production but also in the production of crops that humans do eat, like corn, cotton and peanuts. Be sure to visit agcj366.tamu.edu for more episodes!

 

This episode’s Beef Bite:

• Cattle are Upcyclers: Cattle have the unique ability to take low-quality products, like grass and forage, and turn it into high-quality beef full of protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins.
• Cattle are Natural Fertilizers: Cattle fertilize farmland to help improve soil quality and promote regrowth.

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Episode Summary

Ending world hunger, responsible use of land and water, eliminating poverty, and creating a viable future climate. These are just a few of the big picture problems the world is trying to solve. In order to lay the foundation for future generations and preserve civilization, it is important to begin focusing on creating growth and prosperity for years to come. Sustainability is a hot topic that can be used in a variety of contexts, and it’s time that we start to dig deeper into creating a healthy, sustainable food system that can feed the world.

On today’s episode of I’ve Got Beef with Sustainability, Registered Dietitian, Dr. Shalene McNeill discusses the importance of providing nutrient dense foods that will nourish the world. Dr. McNeill outlines what exactly are healthy, sustainable diets, and if beef is a part of that puzzle. Dr. McNeill highlights the nutritional value of beef by discussing the essential nutrients found in beef like protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins. Additionally, she emphasized scientific research that supports beef in a healthy diet and explains the role of beef in meeting nutrient needs for humans across the lifespan and around the world. We conclude the episode by learning some suggestions and advice from Dr. McNeill on how we can begin to move toward a more healthy, sustainable food system. Plus, she gives her answer on if she thinks beef has a spot on the plate for years to come. Be sure to visit agcj366.tamu.edu for more episodes!

This Episode’s Beef Bites:

• Beef is Versatile: Beef can nourish and provide key nutrients for consumers at multiple life stages and in a variety of dietary patterns across the world.
• Make Every Bite Count: It is important that we choose foods, like beef, that support health and contribute to global sustainability.
• Wasted Food = Wasted Resources: Sustainability starts with the effective use of resources. When food is wasted, all the resources to prepare that food were essentially wasted as well.