Bird-Friendly Beef: Regenerating Grasslands
What is Audubon Conservation Ranching?
Bird-Friendly Beef is making a comeback! Grassland bird populations have suffered an unparalleled decline over the past half century, stemming from the widespread development of North America’s grasslands. These birds play a vital role in our prairie ecosystems, preying on insects and rodents that carry diseases & damage crops. What’s more is that healthy grasslands have the ability to sequester large amounts of carbon, which can mitigate the effects of climate change, while healing the planet.
Audubon Certified: Bird-Friendly Beef
That’s why the Audubon Society developed their Conservation Ranching Initiative, designed to incentivize farmers and ranchers to steward the land more responsibly. For the first time ever, consumers can contribute to grassland conservation efforts by selectively purchasing beef from Audubon-certified farms, like us. When you buy products with the Bird-Friendly Seal, you’re supporting more than birds, you’re supporting our grasslands.
Shop Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Beef.
1: Habitat Management
Our ranch is managed for bird habitat according to general, regional, and ranch-specific protocols specified by the Audubon Society. Each ranch and farm adopts a Habitat Management Plan uniquely developed to address site-specific habitat goals and bird conservation opportunities.
2: Forage & Feeding
All livestock must be able to freely graze in open grasslands. The protocols prohibit the use of antibiotics, animal byproducts, and aim to minimize grain-based feed supplementation. No feedlots allowed, ever!
3: Animal Welfare
To receive certification, farms and ranches must demonstrate a commitment to properly caring for livestock. Any mistreatment of animals is not tolerated. We adhere to livestock production methods that reflect best practices for animal health and welfare. Bird-friendly beef means only the best for our animals.
4: Environmental Sustainability
Pesticides are restricted and waterways are protected from contamination to ensure that bird-friendly ranching results in cleaner steams, healthier soils, more sequestered carbon & greater quantities of beneficial pollinators.