DENVER – The US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) reported its progress through its 2020 Annual Report and elected new leadership on April 28. The multi-stakeholder beef sustainability initiative reiterated the importance of sustainability amid the economic and emotional challenges facing the beef industry following the COVID-19 pandemic. The report came during the organization’s virtual 2021 General Assembly meeting.
USRSB’s goal setting process for 2020, with completion projected through 2021, aligns with its mission to advance the US beef industry’s value chain and sustainability in a meaningful way. The effort will aid the USRSB reach their vision of becoming the trusted global leader in environmentally-sound, socially-responsible and economically-viable beef.
“It was an honor to serve as chair of the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef,” said Wayne Morgan, outgoing 2020-2021 USRSB chair. “Despite the challenges of this difficult year, we were able to demonstrate continuous improvement and to drive forward towards an even more sustainable beef supply chain.”
Also in 2020, USRSB launched new sustainability modules for cow/calf, stocker, backgrounder, feedyards and auction markets, and it recognized and implemented 15 marketplace programs covering more than 8 million head of cattle and more than 18 million lbs of beef. USRSB also reached more than 90,000 producers through trade media messaging campaigns this year.
“I look forward to the year of growth and improvement ahead, building on the numerous accomplishments of the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef,” said Steve Wooten, 2021-2022 USRSB chair. “Through the goals-setting process and other efforts, we will continue to define beef’s important role in a sustainable food system.”
Newly elected officers include:
- Chair: Steve Wooten, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association
- Chair-elect: Debbie Lyons-Blythe, Kansas Livestock Association
- Secretary/Treasurer: Scott Anderson, PhD, CRI Feeders
- Immediate Past Chair: Wayne Morgan, PhD, Golden State Foods
Election results for the board of directors include:
- Kristie Maczko, PhD, Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable
- Jessica Finck, PhD, Merck Animal Health
- Caitlin Colegrove, Target Corporation
- Wayne Morgan, PhD, Golden State Foods
- Nikki Richardson, JBS USA
