Study: Conventional Beef Production Better for Environment Than Grass-Fed

DES MOINES, Iowa — The director of research at the Hudson Institute’s Center For Global Food Issues recently presented findings of his study — “The Environmental Safety and Benefits of Pharmaceutical Technologies in Beef Production” via a Webinar for beef industry stakeholders.

According to Alex Avery, he and fellow researcher Dennis Avery reached their conclusions using conservative beef production models from Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions estimates from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UNIPCC).

Comparing conventional grain-fed beef production to an alternative grass-only beef production system created by Iowa State University shows that growth promoting hormones and ionophores decreased the land required to produce a pound of beef by two-thirds, with 20 percent of this improved land use directly attributable to growth enhancing pharmaceuticals.

According to the Averys research, more than five acre-days are needed to produce a pound of beef from cattle raised and finished on grass in an organic system compared to less than 1.7 acre-days needed in a conventional feedlot system.

Grain feeding combined with growth promoting pharmaceuticals also result in a nearly 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases (CFGs) per pound of beef compared to grass feeding and finishing.

Growth promotants account for 25 percent of this reduction in emissions, according to the study.

Avery also defended the environmental and human safety of growth enhancing pharmaceuticals in beef production, citing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval process and third-party extensive testing.

There are six hormones approved for use in beef production in more than 30 countries — three naturally occurring hormones and three synthetic hormones.

According to Avery, scientists from all over the world have deemed the three natural hormones (testosterone, estradiol and progesterone) to be completely safe for use in beef production. He said the three synthetic hormones (MGA, TBA and zeranol) are, in effect, the more stable analogs of the three natural hormones.

Avery concluded, “Growth promoting pharmaceuticals are a key component of North American beef production.

“Their use over the past 50-plus years has proven beneficial not only to beef producers, but to consumers and to the environment, all of which benefit from lower costs and more efficient use of scarce natural resources.

“Environmentally conscious consumers who have been told that grass-raised beef is more environmentally sensitive and sustainable should rethink their beef purchases in light of our findings.”

For additional information contact Avery at (540) 337-6354. The Center for Global Food Issues is a project of the Hudson Institute and is based in Churchville, Va.