ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) will host a Beef Sustainability Research Roadmap Workshop. The two-day workshop will take place October 28-29, 2024.
The workshop will provide an opportunity to convene key subject matter experts and stakeholders from across the beef value chain to present critical research, pilot projects, collaborations and other relevant initiatives related to USRSB’s High-Priority Indicator Goals and Sector Targets. In particular, this workshop will focus on USRSB’s overarching goals and cow-calf and feedyard sector targets related to the indicator areas of air and greenhouse gas emissions, land resources and water resources. The primary outcome from the workshop will be the identification of research and knowledge gaps across these indicator areas. From this, USRSB and FFAR will publish a gap analysis and research roadmap that will provide guidance on future research activities.
Due to limited available space, the in-person workshop is invitation only; however, there are opportunities to engage in this effort through three, targeted virtual focus group session.
virtual focus group sessions
In advance of the workshop, there will be three virtual focus group sessions. These focus groups will be open to the public. The goal of each focus group sessions is to convene key subject matter experts and stakeholders from across the beef value chain to identify research and knowledge gaps ahead of the in-person workshop.
More information and registration links for each of the three focus group sessions are available below.
For questions about the workshop and focus groups, please contact Samantha Werth, PhD, at [email protected].
Land Resources Focus Group Session
Join subject matter experts Dr. Jeff Goodwin, Dr. Jason Rowntree and Dr. Paige Stanely as they investigate the current state of the science around USRSB's Land Resources goal and cow-calf sector targets. Moderated by Dr. Samantha Werth, attendees can expect to participate in an engaging dialogue where, alongside the subject matter experts, the group will work to identify knowledge gaps, challenges and opportunities around land and U.S. cattle production.
If you would like to contribute your insights on this topic area in support of development of the sustainable beef research roadmap, please complete the following survey.
Water Resources Focus Group Session
Join subject matter experts Dr. Kevin Wagner and Dr. Susan Metzger as they investigate the current state of the science around USRSB's Water Resources goal and cow-calf and feedyard sector targets. Moderated by Dr. Samantha Werth, attendees can expect to participate in an engaging dialogue where, alongside the subject matter experts, the group will work to identify knowledge gaps, challenges and opportunities around water and U.S. cattle production.
If you would like to contribute your insights on this topic area in support of development of the sustainable beef research roadmap, please complete the following survey.
Air & GHG Emissions Focus Group Session
Join subject matter experts Dr. Sara Place, Dr. Logan Thompson and Dr. Troy Rowan as they investigate the current state of the science around USRSB's Air & GHG Emissions goal and cow-calf and feedyard sector targets. Moderated by Dr. Samantha Werth, attendees can expect to participate in an engaging dialogue where, alongside the subject matter experts, the group will work to identify key knowledge gaps, challenges and opportunities around Air & GHG emissions in U.S. cattle production.
If you would like to contribute your insights on this topic area in support of development of the sustainable beef research roadmap, please complete the following survey.
USRSB's Land, Water and Air & GHG Emissions Goals
See below for a quick look at USRSB's land resources, water resources and air & greenhouse gas emissions goals and cow-calf and feedyard sector targets. These goals and targets serve as the guide for the focus group session topics leading into the in-person workshop aimed at developing a Sustainable Beef Research Roadmap.
Land Resources
Overarching Goal
The U.S. beef supply chain will work to maintain and improve grazing lands under the care of U.S. beef producers. We will do this by:
- Establishing a baseline for acres under grazing management plans (GMPs) by 2023;
- Achieving 385 million acres covered by a written GMP by 2050;
- and Supporting programs that respect property rights, create value and expand producer capacity to deploy well-managed grazing strategies to ensure lasting legacies founded on conservation and economic success.
Cow-Calf Target
385 million acres covered by a written grazing management plan by 2050.
Feedyard Target
All feedyards are implementing nutrient management plans and practices by 2030.
Water Resources
Overarching Goal
By 2050, the U.S. beef supply chain will improve water management strategies and improve water quality. We will do this by:
- Benchmarking water use and quality by 2025;
- Improving retention and capture of nutrients for beneficial use; and
- Supporting feedstuffs growers to achieve their water sustainability goals.
Cow-Calf Target
385 million acres covered by a written grazing management plan by 2050.
Feedyard Target
All feedyards are assessing water availability and implementing water conservation management practices by 2030.
Air & GHG Emissions
Overarching Goal
The U.S. beef supply chain will achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
Cow-Calf Target
385 million acres covered by a written grazing management plan by 2050.
Feedyard Target
The feedyard sector will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% per pound of beef by 2030.