A recently released study from USDA shows the positive impact that sustainable agriculture practices can have to support pollinator health. Our team shares insight on three key considerations for program design to positively impact pollinator health.
Sep 23, 2024
Corporate attention on nature-related supply chain impacts has increased in recent years – and more and more corporates are starting to set targets and think through impact needs. According to McKinsey & Company, the percentage of companies that have nature-related targets or acknowledgements increased from 56 to 74% between 2022 and 2023.
Sep 19, 2024
Beef cattle play an important role in sustainability. And there are premiums and incentives available for cattle producers who work to improve herd efficiencies as well as their soil and grassland health. During the Making Sense of Sustainability Panel Discussion industry experts discuss these opportunities and how them can benefit ranchers.
Jun 28, 2024
“I love the perennial systems for resiliency – perennial grasses weather the extremes much better than row crops,” said MN Farmer and Rancher Mitch Pederson. “With perennial grasses, I no longer need to fight against Mother Nature. When we get rains, the grasses will help with water infiltration and when we are faced with drought, the perennial roots will tap into water below the soil’s surface.”
May 29, 2024
For nearly a decade, Luke Hiebert has been working to expand his cow/calf herd by increasing on-farm access to forage by implementing an intensive, daily grazing rotation. Extending the grazing season with a late season cover crop is yet another way for him to maximize the farm’s forage production.
May 29, 2024
Increasing grassland diversity has a positive impact on soil health, while also improving the overall health of grazing cattle. “Cattle thrive on grass because every species of grass matures at a different time. By increasing species diversity, there will be quality forage for cattle throughout the grazing season.”
May 29, 2024
Recognizing the positive role cattle play in advancing sustainability, companies and other agriculture stakeholders are increasingly investing in efficiency and resiliency at the ranch level. This gives new opportunities to ranchers to make improvements to their land and herds.
The world’s largest fast-food chain is one such company. McDonald’s wants to support cattle producers in their efforts to increase overall herd efficiencies, while at the same time enhancing soil and grassland health.
May 14, 2024
Fields of bright green rye stand out among the mostly brown early spring fieldscape on Luke Hiebert’s crop and livestock farm northeast of Huron, South Dakota.
“Traditionally, at this point in the season, nothing would be growing out in those fields. This is the reason I decided to plant rye,” said Hiebert, during an early April conversation. “It has been growing since last fall, and I like having a living root in the soil as long as possible. It helps with compaction, reduces erosion, increases water infiltration, builds organic matter and overall, improves soil health.”
Apr 15, 2024
While many expected the SEC to follow California’s lead related to Scope 3 disclosures, the final SEC ruling excluded a proposed requirement that companies report Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
What does this mean for the future of Scope 3?
In a victory for ag, producers may now be safe from providing annual farm-level data to companies far up the value chain. However, more likely than not, Scope 3 at large will continue to remain important for major companies with ag-based supply chains.
Apr 2, 2024
While the sustainability conversation is more established in row crop agriculture, it took center stage among livestock stakeholders. Amid the discussions and presentations, a compelling narrative emerged, one that underscores a pivotal moment for the meat sector. The industry stands at the cusp of a transformative opportunity, where the integration of sustainability practices into business models is a strategic business imperative.
This “sustainability flywheel” concept—where investments in sustainability drive meat product sales, which in turn, fuel further sustainability investments—has become a tangible pathway to resilience and growth in difficult economic times.
Apr 2, 2024
