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Cattle producers remain committed to conservation

When done correctly grazing increases native grass environments, improves soil quality, and sequesters carbon.

Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association tells Brownfield members want to ensure grazing remains part of the conservation conversation and will work on policy this week.  

“Making sure that not only is it really recognized in those programs, but those tools are being put into place to encourage that in these different environments around the country,” he says.  “That it is easy for producers to access those resources and keep moving the needle.”

He says producers have been implementing these types of practices in their operations for the last 30 years.  “Because it is the right thing to do,” he says. “It’s better for their bottom line in these environments to see those rangeland conditions improve.  And we’ve seen those improvements.  That’s why we have this inertia toward a climate-neutral for the US cattle industry.”

Lane says as the 2023 Farm Bill discussions ramp up, members want to make sure any conservation programs remain voluntary.