The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) has launched the beef industry’s first-ever online educational modules dedicated to beef sustainability.

The cow/calf, stocker and backgrounder modules outline grazing management, profitability and efficiencies, herd health, transition planning and worker safety. The modules were developed specifically for beef cattle farmers and ranchers by USRSB, America’s leading multi-stakeholder sustainability initiative.

The on-demand modules are free to access online at www.usrsb.org/learning and reflect principles outlined in the Beef Industry Sustainability Framework, an industry-adopted resource USRSB released in 2019. Many of the concepts assist producers in identifying efficiencies and improvements, which may benefit producers during the current COVID-19 challenges and increase resiliency to overcome future market disruptions.

Four additional sets of modules are being developed for the auction market, feeder, packer and processor and retail and foodservice segments of the beef value chain.

Program progress

USRSB recently held its virtual 2020 General Assembly meeting, where it reported progress and elected a new board of directors and executive officer group.

USRSB reported reaching 9,000 individuals since launching the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework last year. Also announced was a 9% increase in membership, a 98% member retention rate and the launch of new educational outreach modules.

Other 2019 milestones included approving 15 marketplace programs that successfully adopted the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework through the USRSB Recognition Program and the launch of the USRSB Self-Assessment Tool, a resource to help individuals make decisions across key areas of beef sustainability. The recognition program alone implements the framework across more than 13 million head of cattle and 18.1 billion lb. of beef.

“As an industry, we have faced difficult questions these past few months, including how we prioritize resources, maintain a safe food supply and, ultimately, protect people. The work of the USRSB will help us get there,” said Wayne Morgan, the incoming chair of USRSB for 2020. “As part of the beef supply chain, I am proud to have the opportunity to build on our already amazing accomplishments and demonstrate the organization’s value.”