White City rancher Debbie Lyons-Blythe told members of Congress the beef cattle industry has a great story to tell in the climate conversation and the facts support that. She testified May 21 before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Roberts, during a hearing on Climate Change and the Ag Sector.
Blythe pointed out data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows direct greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle represent 2% of total U.S. emissions. She said a new USDA study reinforces the EPA calculation by concluding emissions from U.S. cattle are not a significant contributor to long-term global warming.
“The industry takes very seriously its obligation to protect the environment while providing the nation with a safe and affordable beef supply,” Blythe testified.
Blythe also highlighted the work of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, which recently released a new framework to help ranches, feedyards and others in the beef value chain voluntarily measure and improve environmental metrics important to sustainability. She said by reflecting on opportunities for improvement, the beef community is demonstrating its commitment to doing right by the natural resources, animals and the people who raise beef, while acknowledging the profitability required to be sustainable.