Today is Earth Day, and it’s the perfect time to talk about how modern beef production is sustainably and efficiently producing meat and by-products to nourish a growing planet. I’ve rounded up four blogs, articles and resources worth reading today. Check them out and pass them along.

1. “Every day is Earth Day” by Rachel Purdy for the National Beef Ambassadors blog 

Purdy writes, “Earth Day is this week! Farmers and ranchers were environmentalists before environmentalists started. Caring for the animals and the land is what makes working in agriculture so rewarding. You would be hard pressed to find a producer who is not working to improve the sustainability of their operation. We aren’t only concerned about our operation being able to produce for the next decade, but for several centuries to come.”

Photo Credit: United Soybean Board

Here is an excerpt: “For the last 40 years, Earth Day has been celebrated around the world to call attention to some of our most pressing environmental and social problems, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and dwindling natural resources. This year, the Worldwatch Institute’s Nourishing the Planet highlights 15 agricultural innovations that are already working on the ground to address some of those problems.”

3. “When it comes to sustainable farms, size shouldn't matter” by Suzy Friedman for GreenBiz.com

Here is an excerpt: “The reality is that “big” does not equate to “bad,” and “small” doesn’t necessarily mean “good” when it comes to sustainable farming. In fact, it’s the wrong debate altogether.” What really matters is performance, not size. If we’re to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, we’ll need large and small farms alike. And no matter their size, they’ll need to minimize their impacts on the natural systems that sustain us all.”

4. Earth Day resources featured on BEEF magazine

We have pages and pages of Earth Day resources, articles and blog posts featured on beefmagazine.com. Browse through the BEEF Earth Day page here and share your favorites on social media.

Happy Earth Day from my ranch to yours!

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Penton Agriculture.

You might also enjoy:

7 common fencing mistakes

When should you call the vet on a difficult calving?

60+ stunning photos that showcase ranch work ethics

Try one of these 9 ranch management concepts to improve your ranch

How to treat lump jaw disease in cattle

7 U.S. cattle operations honored for stewardship efforts