GRSB Connect for October 20, 2015
GRSBEEF.ORG
|
GRSB Connect for October 20, 2015 |
|
|
|
It has been a busy couple of weeks in the beef world – not just for GRSB, though of course preparing for the General Assembly, attending our meeting in Saskatoon and Anuga in Germany certainly made it feel that we and our members are getting things done. Sustainability News This highlights the progress we have yet to make in demonstrating change, but see the article below giving some positive news from Brazil with respect to intensification there. GRSB's position has always been that it is not certification that drives change, and that typically certification schemes only a small percentage of an industry. What we want to see is impact on the average, and particularly the lowest performers, as it is by closing that efficiency gap we can have the most impact. A system to measure that impact is essential for us to demonstrate our case. Study Sees Environmental Progress in Palm Oil, Lag in Soy and CattleDateline: 10/08/15, Source: Eco–BusinessThere isn't any global certification for cattle, according to the report and the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is barely two years old. Jeff Hayward, the Director of the Rainforest Alliance's Climate Program, agreed that a tangible and established standard can help foster commitment, but he wondered why there wasn't more and faster uptake with the other commodities the way there was with palm oil. GTPS is working with GoB funds to restore degraded pasturelands. The impact in reducing pressure on forests, increasing productivity and storing carbon in the soil are significant – it's important that we capture the figures involved. Brazil Increases Beef Production and Exports While Shrinking Its PasturelandDateline: 10/07/15, Source: Drovers CattleNetworkThe livestock industry in Brazil has grown sustainably and is one of highest contributing sectors to the national trade balance. Thanks to productivity gains over the period 1990–2014 – from 1.6 to 4.0 @/ha/year, the total area occupied by pasture was reduced from 188.3 million to 167 million hectares, despite the increase in beef production and exports. Today, 19.2% of Brazil's national territory is occupied by productive pastures. Teys Shares Vision to Move to Value–Based Cattle Payments Within Two YearsDateline: 10/12/15, Source: By Jon Condon, BEEF Central:Teys Australia is embarking on an historic move designed to reward producers for the meat yield their cattle produce, as well as their quality. The company shared details of its vision to move to Value–Based–Payment system with suppliers at a field day on Friday. There can be $80 differences in value from one carcase to another, based solely on meat yield, producers have been told. Contrasting with price doldrums in the US, the Australian industry has seen high prices due to a 20 year low in inventory – convincing consumers to pay those prices is a challenge, but essential for economic viability. Beef Summit Dominated by a Mix of Talk
|
To read the entire source article, click on the link in the headline.Welcome to the Table! We Welcome The Newest Member to the Roundtable Dateline: October 2015World Animal Protection, UKConstituency: Civil SocietyWorld Animal Protection is a global animal welfare organization, active in more than 50 countries. From offices around the world, they work with local partners, businesses and governments to help people find practical ways to improve animal welfare worldwide. Global News Ecological intensification has become a popular term of late; here is a study with evidence (from a limited sample) that enhancing the habitat for pollinators on field margins is compatible with and can even positively impact crop yields: Wildlife–Friendly Farming Increases Crop Yield: Evidence for Ecological IntensificationDateline: 09/03/15, Source: The Royal SocietyEcological intensification has been promoted as a means to achieve environmentally sustainable increases in crop yields by enhancing ecosystem functions that regulate and support production. There is, however, little direct evidence of yield benefits from ecological intensification on commercial farms growing globally important foodstuffs (grains, oilseeds and pulses). It may sound trite, but if we don't look after our soils, we will not be able to feed the planet. Soil loss, and declining soil fertility are both problems on a massive scale across the globe, and need to be a focus for any agricultural sustainability initiative. Soil and Human Security in the 21st CenturySource: Science MagazineThe future of humanity is And here are some practical real world examples of what people do to look after soils on their farms and ranches. Profitable Winter Cover CropsDateline: 10/13/15, Source: By Alan Newport, Drovers CattleNetworkCover crops for grazing can be as successful or as futile as your management makes them. Darin Williams uses mostly multi–species cover crops for soil–building, and he plans, plants and stockpiles forages to get through the fall slump, the cold of winter and that difficult early–spring period before perennial grass greens up.  Teagasc Says Its New 100–Cow Suckler Farm in the West Will Be a One–Man OperationDateline: 10/06/15, Source: By Ciaran Moran, AgriLandOne of the key recommendations arising out of the Food Harvest 2020 report was for Teagasc to set up a stand–alone demonstration herd in the west of Ireland. It's Time to Reward Ranch Stewardship, Says Alberta Nuffield ScholarDateline: 10/05/15, Source: By Alexis Kienlen, Alberta Farmer"There are benefits in grassland biodiversity and healthier air and water and land systems — but there isn't a lot of societal support to improve these things," said Tim Smith, who runs a 750–head Angus cow–calf operation and custom forage harvest business. Namibia Gearing up for Three–Fold Markets Boost
Dateline: 10/06/15, Source: The Cattle SiteA supply deal with China and a pending treaty with the US could be a major boost to the Namibian beef industry. The government in Namibia has been urged to enhance disease control in the cattle farming industry to help open up more export markets. The growing export market for beef products was likely to "benefit many of our emerging farmers within the supply chain," according to Professor Peter Katjavivi, patron of the Ongombe farmers association and also speaker of the national assembly in the country. Trans–Pacific Partnership: Beef, Cattle Producers Happy with TPP; NT Mango Growers Expect No ChangeDateline: 10/06/15, Source: By Xavier La Canna, ABC News, AU
 Beef and cattle producers are happy with the outcome of the Trans–Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal but Top End mango farmers say it probably will not make a big difference to them. Who Will Cash In on TPP?Dateline: 10/07/15, Source: NZ HeraldWhile the agreement was less than ideal for dairy, it did favour several other primary sector heavy hitters such as meat and horticulture. News We Can Use If you have news to share with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef membership, please send it to polly.welden@grsbeef.org |
UnsubscribeCopyright © 2015 Global Roundtable for Sustainable BeefAdministrative Offices: 13570 Meadowgrass Drive, Suite 201Colorado Springs, CO 80921 USA1-719-355-2935 (Telephone) 1-719-538-8847 (Facsimile)All rights reserved.Contact email: admin@grsbeef.orgYou are receiving this message as a benefit of membership to the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef |
Dear GRSB Member,
about High Prices, Consumer Demand, Marketing and Research
When it comes to sustainability, competition isn't the name of the game. Speaking at the University of Manitoba during a seminar hosted by the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Jeffrey Fitzpatrick–Stilwell of McDonald's Canada said that efforts to make food production more sustainable need to be "pre–competitive."
future food shortages. That's the message Cargill Executive Director Greg Page delivered Monday night to an audience at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
intertwined with the future of Earth's soil resources. Soil provides for agriculture, improves water quality, and buffers greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Yet human activities, including agricultural soil erosion, are rapidly degrading soil faster than it is naturally replenished. At this rate, human security over the next century will be severely threatened by unsustainable soil management practices. Amundson et al. review recent advances in understanding global soil resources, including how carbon stored in soil responds to anthropogenic warming. Translating this knowledge into practice is the biggest challenge remaining.