Tag: Beef production

Globally, livestock production accounts for 40% of the gross value of agricultural production, and it is also the most resource-intensive segment of the food industry. In general, foods that come from animal sources require significantly more resources like land, water, and energy to produce than their plant-based counterparts. This disparity in resource use is a crucial factor in understanding the environmental footprint of our food system.

Globally, the UN estimates livestock farming accounts for over 14% of man-made greenhouse gases, which includes methane. This often sparks the question: does meat have methane inside it? The answer is no, but the complex process by which livestock contributes to these atmospheric gases is crucial to understanding the full picture.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), steroid hormone drugs have been approved for use in beef cattle and sheep since the 1950s. This fact raises important questions for many consumers about whether hormones can be used in beef, what that means for human health, and how regulations differ globally. This guide unpacks the science and regulations behind hormone use in the beef industry.

Worldwide, over 74% of all farmed land animals are raised in intensive industrial operations, according to the New Roots Institute. Understanding where most of our meat comes from involves exploring a complex web of factory farming, global supply chains, and evolving consumer choices.

The food industry accounts for a significant portion of the world's total energy consumption, with estimates pointing to a figure of up to 30%. This intensive energy use is not uniform across all products, leading many to question: which food requires the most energy to produce?

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six steroid hormones for use in beef cattle and sheep to promote growth. A common misconception, however, is that all beef contains these added hormones. It's crucial to understand the regulatory landscape and production methods to separate myth from fact regarding hormones in beef.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several steroid hormone drugs are approved for use in beef cattle and sheep, but federal regulations strictly prohibit their use in poultry and pork production. This distinction is key to understanding the regulations behind hormones in meat.

With the global grass-fed beef market projected to reach over $21 billion by 2035, the trend for this meat is undeniable. The grassroots movement is fueled by consumers seeking healthier, more sustainable, and ethically-sourced food options, pushing grass-fed beef from a niche product to a mainstream dietary choice.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, beef production requires significantly more land and water and produces substantially more greenhouse gas emissions than most other food sources. The serious health and environmental consequences of using beef are prompting a global reassessment of consumption habits.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), all beef contains naturally occurring hormones, but growth-promoting hormone implants are widely used in conventional beef production in the United States, Canada, and other countries. This practice is strictly regulated for consumer safety, while some regions, like the European Union, have banned the practice entirely.