This week, Merck Animal Health hosted a Beef Media Event to discuss the U.S. beef industry?s current status and future. Among the most important topics was sustainability. We talk about this a lot when it comes to grain production, but sustainability is just as important in the livestock industry as well. Dr. Jessica Finck, a strategic account manager on the value chain and consumer affairs team at Merck Animal Health, talked about the three pillars of sustainability.
Production efficiency is key in increasing sustainability in the cattle industry. Finck explained how their products can aid in several areas of production efficiency, like disease and parasite management.
Finck said sustainability practices involve maximizing growth efficiency, which, especially right now, can help offset input costs.
Animal welfare is another main focus, and it?s something that producers already address. After all, they want to put the best product possible out on the market and maximize their profits. Finck said this all circles right back into sustainability.
Producers also need to be honest and open about the practices they use on their operations in order to educate the public, which is only becoming further removed from the farm, about the beef industry. Finck said better sustainability practices will help cattle producers create a better public image.
Click here for more information on Merk Animal Health?s efforts to increase sustainability in the food industry.
