Efforts towards a more sustainable environment are taking place every day in the United States. Sustainable Agriculture is not only a possibility, but an existing reality. Below are examples of environmental stewardship and animal welfare in the news:
- The Leopold Conservation Award
Presented by the Sand County Foundation in Wisconsin, recognizes farm owners with extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. These farm owners inspire other landowners through their example, and help the general public understand the vital role private landowners can and do play in conservation success. For a glimpse into these award winning sustainable farms and for more information about the award visit: www.leopoldconservationaward.org - U.S. Dairy Sustainability Summit
Reducing the carbon footprint in the dairy industry:
http://www.nmpf.org/latest_news/press_releases/carbon_footprint062508 - The National Pork Board announces Pork Welfare Program:
http://www.porkmag.com/directories.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=2120&component_id=805 - Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers which promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/ - The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS is on the job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week administering the Animal Welfare Act as well as supporting the overall mission of the USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues. Learn more about the APHIS at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/about_aphis/. - Welfare of Dairy Cows
Dairy Industry distributes animal handling guidelines:
http://www.nmpf.org/latest_news/press_releases/animal_guidelines070708
Poster of the guidelines which will be hung in the barns for all workers to see:
PDF Document - Sustainable Poultry Measures:
The egg industry was one of the first groups to establish animal welfare guidelines for commercial enterprises, learn more about what they are doing today at Feedstuffs - Environment becomes the focus on Poultry farms
Feedstuffs Article
- Animal Welfare: Not "us versus them"
By Jeffery Bewley from Progressive Dairyman publication, July 2006
Understanding what animal welfare is and how it is implemented in the agricultural industry, from the perspective of a student.
PDF document - Reducing Dairy's Footprint
By Mike Van Amburgh, Judith Capper and Dale Bauman from Midwest DairyBusiness publication, July 2008
U.S. dairy's carbon footprint has shrunk nearly 70% in 6 decades. It will get even smaller in the years ahead. Find out how this has happened and what plans the future holds for further improvements.
PDF document - Report describes seven ways to reduce greenhouse emissions
By Kate Campbell from AgAlert publication
Report describes seven ways to reduce greenhouse emissions for the agricultural industry in California. These seven initiatives coincide with the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.
PDF document - Understand Trends To Improve Cow Comfort
From Progressive Dairyman publication, August 19th, 2008
How are cows cared for? Why are they treated the way they are? To understand more about measures taken to improve cow comfort, indulge yourself in the following article!
PDF document