Cow/Calf
Cattle producers’ management decisions and activities can impact the amount of water required to maintain healthy pastures. The health of pastures affects water retention and quality, soil conditions, forage and plant diversity and health, and many other aspects.
WHAT IS THE EXISTING METRIC?
- Is a grazing management plan (or equivalent) being implemented that maintains or improves water resources?
WHAT IS THE SECTOR TARGET?
- 385 million acres covered by a written grazing management plan by 2050.
Auction Market
Water resource management strategies allow the auction to monitor and put measures in place to optimize the usage of water, protect surface and groundwater quality, and utilize water wisely as a heat or dust control measure, as well as to maintain and provide an adequate supply of clean water to animals.
WHAT IS THE EXISTING METRIC?
- Are water resource management strategies implemented at the auction barn that address water management, water use optimization/conservation and water quality?
WHAT IS THE SECTOR TARGET?
- All USRSB member organizations representing livestock markets that handle cattle have implemented a water management plan by 2030.
Feedyard
Adopting a water resource management strategy at a feedyard impacts both water quantity and quality significantly by allowing the feedyard to monitor and put measures in place to optimize and recycle water, as well as protect surface and groundwater quality.
WHAT IS THE EXISTING METRIC?
- Are water resource management strategies implemented at the feedyard that address water management, water use optimization/conservation and water quality?
WHAT IS THE SECTOR TARGET?
- All feedyards are assessing water availability and implementing water conservation management practices by 2030.
Packer & Processor
Water is used every day in facilities to ensure the highest food safety standards are met, and in some facilities, water reduction is made more difficult due to the need to 93 protect the safety of the food produced. Water quality also plays a critical role in food safety, and water entering facilities must meet stringent food safety requirements today.
WHAT IS THE EXISTING METRIC?
- Level 1
- Is a water resource management plan implemented at the facility?
- Level 2
- How many wastewater permit non-compliances has the facility had in the previous calendar year?
- What is the water use in gallons/head/day (packers) or gallons/pound of beef processed (processors)?
- Level 3
- Does the company track discharge water quality over time?
- Does the company have set goals for continued improvement?
- Does the company make water performance efforts public?
- Does the company participate in partnerships, initiatives or programs to further advance water resource management?
WHAT IS THE SECTOR TARGET?
- All beef packers and processors have assessed water risk and impacts of their direct operations and assessed water risks in key sourcing regions by 2030; and
- All beef packers and processors have implemented concrete steps )e.g., support technical or financial assistance, transparency efforts) to encourage adoption of the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework water metrics in the U.S. beef value chain by 2030.
Retail & Foodservice
Water resource initiatives have a far-reaching impact on sustainability, resource conservation, and the bottom line for businesses and homeowners. In addition to water shortages, the demand and price for water continues to rise. This trend is expected to continue, making water conservation initiatives more important than ever.
WHAT IS THE EXISTING METRIC?
- Level 1
- Has the company assessed the water risk of its operation and locations?
- Level 2
- Does the company have a plan for water resource and risk management, including both quantity and quality impacts?
- What is the water use in gallons/head/day (packers) or gallons/pound of beef processed (processors)?
- Does the company engage suppliers and encourage adoption of USRSB water resource metrics in its beef value chain?
- Level 3
- Is the company participating in a credible system for reporting water stewardship?
- Has the company set water targets based on its assessments?
- Can the company demonstrate progress towards these targets?
- Does the company track performance on water stewardship in its beef value chain?
WHAT IS THE SECTOR TARGET?
- All USRSB member retail and foodservice companies have assessed the water risk and impacts of both direct operations and of their beef suppliers by 2025 and are implementing improvement plans, tracking performance and publicly reporting progress of water stewardship across the company’s sourcing footprint by 2030; and
- All USRSB member retail and foodservice companies have implemented concrete steps (e.g., support technical or financial assistance, transparency efforts) to encourage adoption of the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework water metrics in the U.S. beef value chain by 2030.
