Agricultural News
Make It Metric - Tangible Measurements Make Up the Nuts and Bolts of Sustainability
Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:01:32 CDT
When it comes to the beef industry, says Dr. Sara Place of Oklahoma State University, producers need to understand the importance of sustainability and how to be transparent about their production practices. She explained to Farm Director Ron Hays that in most cases, producers already have sustainable practices in use on their operation. And while there is always room for improvement, producers need to take advantage of every opportunity to share the good work they are doing with their communities. She insists this will help in the long run.
"People are interested where their food comes from and they want to know," Place said.
To effectively show what you are doing on your operation and how you are making improvements, Dr. Place says you need to keep regular documentation, or "metrics."
"This idea of metrics is specific things you can measure over time and show improvement, or no improvement - but you need something tangible to actually measure," Place said. "It's important to take that long-term view if you're looking at metrics and not just a snapshot in time, because that might not tell you as much information as if you measure something many, many times repeatedly."
According to Dr. Place, being proactive about transparency will give producers a leg up when it comes to sustainability discussions that involve opponents. She says if you are not involved and unaware of what is happening, the other side will in effect have a louder voice.
"I think getting out ahead of the issue and trying to make sure that the beef industry and producers are more proactive rather than reacting to everything that is happening," Place said, "that's going to put beef producers in a much better position going forward."
Listen to Dr. Sara Place explain the importance of sustainability and transparency in the beef industry with Farm Director Ron Hays on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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