Tuesday, April 30
Beef sustainability tour
Sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance
Join Rabo AgriFinance for breakfast and discussion. Sr. Rabo Research Beef Analyst Lance Zimmerman will lead a discussion with Rabo AgriFinance colleagues about sustainability initiatives and how Rabo AgriFinance is working to further the sustainability discussion within the beef industry.
Join Rabo AgriFinance for breakfast and discussion. Sr. Rabo Research Beef Analyst Lance Zimmerman will lead a discussion with Rabo AgriFinance colleagues about sustainability initiatives and how Rabo AgriFinance is working to further the sustainability discussion within the beef industry.
The tour group will be broken into two groups. Group 1 will participate in this breakout first, while group 2 will participate in part 2 first. Following lunch, the groups will switch, ensuring that all participants are able to experience the full tour.
- Tour topics:
- Purina Overview – Rod Nulik
- Beef Research Center – Sustained Nutrition, Conception to Market
- Basic Ruminant Research
- Center for Animal Metabolism and Microbiology-Accelerating Discovery
The tour group will be broken into two groups. Group 2 will participate in this breakout first, while group 1 will participate in part 1 first. Following lunch, the groups will switch, ensuring that all participants are able to experience the full tour.
- Tour topics:
- Dairy Research Unit – Beef on Dairy Update
- Equine Research Center – Exercise Physiology
Shaw Nature Reserve was established by the Missouri Botanical Garden as a refuge for their plant collection from the coal smoke pollution present in St. Louis in the 1920’s. The reserve today encompasses over 2,400 acres and focuses on wetland, prairie and woodland habitat conservation along with environmental education. They partner with local beef producer Crooked Creek Farms to incorporate grazing cattle into the nature reserve’s environmental conservation plan, recognizing the many benefits well-managed grazing can provide for the land and for the enhancement of biodiversity.
Refreshments sponsored by Alltech and Crooked Creek Beef
Haue Valley is an 1800’s farmhouse-turned-wedding venue that is a part of the McLaren family’s diversified beef operation. Here we will visit with beef producer Bill McLaren of Crooked Creek Farms and learn more about their partnership with Shaw Nature Reserve, view the effect of grazing management on habitat conservation and restoration, and learn more about the family’s beef operation.
Haue Valley is an 1800’s farmhouse-turned-wedding venue that is a part of the McLaren family’s diversified beef operation. Here we will visit with beef producer Bill McLaren of Crooked Creek Farms and learn more about their partnership with Shaw Nature Reserve, view the effect of grazing management on habitat conservation and restoration, and learn more about the family’s beef operation.
Sponsored by the USRSB beef producer group and Purina
Tour of the Budweiser facility and meet and greet with a Budweiser Clydesdale
Tour of the Budweiser facility and meet and greet with a Budweiser Clydesdale
Wednesday, may 1
General Assembly Meeting - day 1
Sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Speaker: Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D., Colorado State University AgNext
As the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef sets out on its 10th year, we want to take an opportunity to reflect on the achievements we have made, as an industry, to-date and take a look towards the future as we lean into this year’s theme, “Continuing the Journey.” Hear from Dr. Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Director of Colorado State University’s AgNext research center and pioneer in beef sustainability, on the reason for the creation of USRSB, the milestones we have crossed and an outlook on where we need to take action today to propel us into the next decade of USRSB!
As the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef sets out on its 10th year, we want to take an opportunity to reflect on the achievements we have made, as an industry, to-date and take a look towards the future as we lean into this year’s theme, “Continuing the Journey.” Hear from Dr. Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Director of Colorado State University’s AgNext research center and pioneer in beef sustainability, on the reason for the creation of USRSB, the milestones we have crossed and an outlook on where we need to take action today to propel us into the next decade of USRSB!
Moderator: Wayne Morgan, Corporate Vice President/President Protein Products and Operations Services, Golden State Foods
Panelists: Steve Wooten, Beatty Canyon Ranch; Kristen Parman, Livestock Marketing Association; Mary Soukup, Beef Marketing Group; Kristi Block, The Meat Institute; Mark Seyfert, YUM! Brands
Since the launch of USRSB’s Industry-wide Sustainability Goals and Sector Targets at General Assembly in 2022, our members have been hard at work to determine benchmarks on our goals and targets as well as to develop plans for encouraging progress towards achieving our goals. Join our Goals Progress Working Group co-chair, Wayne Morgan, and our sector champions for an update on the progress we have made towards our goals and the activities planned for the upcoming year.
Panelists: Steve Wooten, Beatty Canyon Ranch; Kristen Parman, Livestock Marketing Association; Mary Soukup, Beef Marketing Group; Kristi Block, The Meat Institute; Mark Seyfert, YUM! Brands
Since the launch of USRSB’s Industry-wide Sustainability Goals and Sector Targets at General Assembly in 2022, our members have been hard at work to determine benchmarks on our goals and targets as well as to develop plans for encouraging progress towards achieving our goals. Join our Goals Progress Working Group co-chair, Wayne Morgan, and our sector champions for an update on the progress we have made towards our goals and the activities planned for the upcoming year.
Speakers: Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management; David Anderson, Ph.D., Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Grazing management plans are a topic of critical importance both within USRSB’s goals efforts and when considering sustainability for the cow-calf sector as a whole. This session will provide insights into a USRSB-funded project through the Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management in which the value of grazing management planning was investigated. Learn about findings critical when considering how to increase and support producer uptake of grazing management planning.
Grazing management plans are a topic of critical importance both within USRSB’s goals efforts and when considering sustainability for the cow-calf sector as a whole. This session will provide insights into a USRSB-funded project through the Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management in which the value of grazing management planning was investigated. Learn about findings critical when considering how to increase and support producer uptake of grazing management planning.
1:30 - 2:30 pm - Baseline report: The state of written grazing management planning and next steps to support advancement
Speaker: Rebecca Bartles, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Trust in Food
Continuing with the theme of written grazing management plans, this session will feature learnings from a multi-stakeholder-funded project led by Farm Journal’s Trust in Beef initiative. This project set out to quantitatively assess the state of utilization of written grazing plans nationally and to provide insights as to data driven takeaways to drive accelerated producer uptake of GMPs. Join this interactive session to gain insights into the current state of grazing management in the US and ways to drive progress in producer-centric ways.
Continuing with the theme of written grazing management plans, this session will feature learnings from a multi-stakeholder-funded project led by Farm Journal’s Trust in Beef initiative. This project set out to quantitatively assess the state of utilization of written grazing plans nationally and to provide insights as to data driven takeaways to drive accelerated producer uptake of GMPs. Join this interactive session to gain insights into the current state of grazing management in the US and ways to drive progress in producer-centric ways.
Speaker: Jessie Jarvis, Idaho producer and founder, Of The West.Co
Moderator: Craig Mello, Risk and Recruitment Manager, AgriBeef
With this year’s General Assembly theme, “Continuing the Journey,” it is important to provide opportunities for the leaders of the future to join in the work that is happening today across the beef value chain. To do this effectively, we need to rethink how we engage with the next generation. Hear from Jessie Jarvis – mother, rancher and entrepreneur – on how to effectively engage with the next generation, understand your audience and create meaningful opportunities for the future leaders of our industry.
Moderator: Craig Mello, Risk and Recruitment Manager, AgriBeef
With this year’s General Assembly theme, “Continuing the Journey,” it is important to provide opportunities for the leaders of the future to join in the work that is happening today across the beef value chain. To do this effectively, we need to rethink how we engage with the next generation. Hear from Jessie Jarvis – mother, rancher and entrepreneur – on how to effectively engage with the next generation, understand your audience and create meaningful opportunities for the future leaders of our industry.
Drinks and hors d'oeuvres provided
Sponsored by McDonald’s Grinders Group: Fulton Market Group, Golden State Foods, Lopez Foods, National Beef, OSI Group
Sponsored by McDonald’s Grinders Group: Fulton Market Group, Golden State Foods, Lopez Foods, National Beef, OSI Group
thursday, may 2
General Assembly Meeting - day 2
Sponsored by McDonald’s
8:05 - 9:00 am - Enhancing water management in the U.S. beef supply chain by 2050: developing a strategic plan
- Speakers: Roel Lopez, PhD, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute; Robert Mace, PhD PG, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University
- USRSB has set lofty goals on water use and water quality, both topics of utmost importance for the long-term sustainability of beef production. Water is also a topic within beef sustainability that is often overshadowed by the climate conversation; however, climate and water are intrinsically linked and there is a pressing need to dedicate more energy to the water focus. Join Dr. Lopez and Dr. Mace as they share their experience in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, identifying issues and challenges faced and exploring a strategic plan for approaching the USRSB water goals.
Moderator: Shannon Wharton, Owner, Wharton 3C Cattle Company
Panelists: Gary Price, Owner, 77 Ranch; Ed Greiman, Owner, Upper Iowa Beef
As we work to enhance the sustainability of beef production, many look towards producers as the key mechanism for making meaningful strides. While producers are no strangers to adopting innovative practices and novel technologies to advance the performance of their operations, these efforts do not come without cost. Join us for a producer panel where we will hear from across the live animal side of the supply chain on mechanisms they have leveraged to make advances in sustainability while keeping economic viability in mind. Hear about some of the challenges our producers face and areas of opportunity for full supply chain support.
Panelists: Gary Price, Owner, 77 Ranch; Ed Greiman, Owner, Upper Iowa Beef
As we work to enhance the sustainability of beef production, many look towards producers as the key mechanism for making meaningful strides. While producers are no strangers to adopting innovative practices and novel technologies to advance the performance of their operations, these efforts do not come without cost. Join us for a producer panel where we will hear from across the live animal side of the supply chain on mechanisms they have leveraged to make advances in sustainability while keeping economic viability in mind. Hear about some of the challenges our producers face and areas of opportunity for full supply chain support.
Moderator: Colin Woodall, CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Panelists: Ruaridh Petre, Executive Director, Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef; Donald Moore, Executive Director, Global Dairy Platform; Mary-Thomas Hart, Chief Counsel, NCBA; Meredith Ellis, Owner, G Bar C Ranch
The Convening of Partners (COP) UN Climate Change Conference is an international event that brings hundreds of nations and stakeholders together to discuss climate change each November. Livestock was a key focus during last year’s COP28, with the Food and Agricultural Organization releasing two reports on the role livestock plays in climate change as well as the most meaningful steps that can be taken to make the greatest reductions in emissions from livestock. Join this panel discussion to hear from COP participants. Learn where they found success or encountered challenges in engaging in COP and about opportunities for more cohesive engagement across the international beef value chain during future COP events.
Panelists: Ruaridh Petre, Executive Director, Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef; Donald Moore, Executive Director, Global Dairy Platform; Mary-Thomas Hart, Chief Counsel, NCBA; Meredith Ellis, Owner, G Bar C Ranch
The Convening of Partners (COP) UN Climate Change Conference is an international event that brings hundreds of nations and stakeholders together to discuss climate change each November. Livestock was a key focus during last year’s COP28, with the Food and Agricultural Organization releasing two reports on the role livestock plays in climate change as well as the most meaningful steps that can be taken to make the greatest reductions in emissions from livestock. Join this panel discussion to hear from COP participants. Learn where they found success or encountered challenges in engaging in COP and about opportunities for more cohesive engagement across the international beef value chain during future COP events.
Speaker: Don Layman, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois
Beef sustainability is a complex and nuanced space. While the focus is often on climate impacts from beef production, the role cattle play in a sustainable food system is a topic that must not be overlooked. Human nutrition and health is a critical component of sustainability and a place in which beef can play a meaningful role. Join Don Layman, PhD, an internationally renowned global nutrition and food system scientist, to dive deeper into the topic of sustainable nutrition and the role that livestock can play in supporting a sustainable food future.
Beef sustainability is a complex and nuanced space. While the focus is often on climate impacts from beef production, the role cattle play in a sustainable food system is a topic that must not be overlooked. Human nutrition and health is a critical component of sustainability and a place in which beef can play a meaningful role. Join Don Layman, PhD, an internationally renowned global nutrition and food system scientist, to dive deeper into the topic of sustainable nutrition and the role that livestock can play in supporting a sustainable food future.
Mike Williams, California Cattlemen’s Association and 2024-2025 Chair, USRSB; Chad Ellis, TALT; Nikki Dutta, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research