Ranchers often get a bad rap. Every week there’s another story about how ranchers are climate villains. The recent headline-making standoff in Oregon hasn’t done anything to improve their image, either.
First of all, we reject the notion that all ranchers (and meat consumers) are part of the global warming problem. Many ranchers are dedicated climate-fixers, intentionally or otherwise, because they employ holistic management practices that actually repair soil and grasslands, turning them into natural carbon sinks. (Visit the Savory Institute website for more on how ranchers can be key players in cooling the planet. In fact, we desperately need their help).
As our national director, Ronnie Cummins, wrote recently:
North American cattle ranchers, for the most part, have no love for Cargill, Tyson, Monsanto, JBS, Smithfield, Elanco (animal drugs) or McDonald’s. Most of these ranchers practice traditional animal husbandry, conscientiously taking care of their animals from birth. They graze their cattle free-range on grass, as nature intended, before they’re forced to sell these heretofore-healthy animals at rock-bottom prices to the monopolistic meat cartel.
The conscientious rancher in our video this week shares the history of his family’s ranch, and the lengths he’s gone to repair his land and turn it into a healthy, biodiverse landscape—all while raising animals.
Why Vegetarians, Ranchers and Conscious Omnivores Need to Unite