Definition
The cumulative effects of cattle health, nutrition, care and comfort.
COw & Calf
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the cow-calf sector?
Ranchers have a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure, to the best of their ability, the health and well-being of the livestock in their care.
Metric
Has the operation adopted a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) or similar program principles into management of the farm or ranch?
Why did we choose this metric?
The BQA program is a scientifically founded and industry accepted national program that provides educational resources designed to improve beef safety and quality while improving cattle well-being. The BQA program includes guidelines on the proper administration of animal health products including antibiotic stewardship, best management practices for animal well-being, and animal handling recommendations and is consistent with global standards as identified by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
Desired Outcome
The following improvements in the animal health and well-being sustainability outcomes can be realized if an operation has implemented the principles outlined in the BQA program:
- Low stressed cattle
- Healthier herds
- Reduced use/need for animal health products or interventions
- Improved animal performance
- Reduced risk of injury to employees
Why do these outcomes matter?
Sound animal husbandry practices, based on decades of practical experience and research are known to impact the well-being of cattle, individual animal health, and herd productivity.
Success Criteria
Increase number of U.S. cow-calf producers who have implemented BQA principles or similar on their farm or ranch.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
If not cared for properly, cattle health can be impaired, reducing animal performance and increasing their stress level. When proper attention is paid to protect the health, nutrition, care and comfort of cattle, the whole herd will benefit from stronger health, lower stress, higher performance and reduced need for animal health interventions. Coupled with the proper handling of the livestock, low stressed animals present a reduced risk of injury to employees.
Auction Market
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the livestock auction market sector?
Livestock auction markets have a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure, to the best of their ability, the health and well-being of the livestock in their care.
Metric
Are employees trained and auction-specific beef quality assurance (BQA) principles being implemented at the auction market?
Why did USRSB choose this metric?
Increased adoption and implementation of BQA principles as relevant to auction specific settings, training all employees in their area(s) of responsibility(ies), conducting a BQA assessment to inform and allow change or implementation of additional BQA principles, and encouraging cattle transporters to become BQA certified can all have significant positive effects on improving animal health and well-being.Additionally, BQA was developed by veterinarians, industry representatives, animal scientists and extension professionals and it is consistent with the World Organization for Animal Health code that provides global standards for animal well-being and beef cattle production systems.
Desired Outcomes
- Ensuring proper care and handling of all animals
- Supporting outcome of healthy, low stressed animals
- Increasing employee safety and well-being
Why do these outcomes matter?
The BQA program and its accompanying guidelines cover the major areas of animal nutrition, health, care and handling. Adoption of these scientifically based practices allow the beef supply chain to produce healthier, lower stressed animals, which has a significant impact on the animal health and well-being sustainability indicator.
Success Criteria
Increase the number of livestock auction market employees trained in BQA and LMA principles being implemented.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Focusing on the implementation of BQA principles at livestock auction markets in the U.S. can have significant positive effects on improving animal health and well-being.
FEEDYARD
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the feedyard sector?
Feedyards have a responsibility to ensure, to the best of their ability, the health and well-being of the livestock in their care.
Metric
Are feedyard employees trained in beef quality assurance (BQA) principles and are these principles implemented at the feedyard?
Why did we choose this metric?
The BQA Program was developed by veterinarians, industry representatives, animal scientists and extension professionals and it is consistent with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) code that provides global standards for animal well-being and beef cattle production systems. The BQA Program also includes guidelines on antibiotic stewardship. A properly developed and implemented BQA Program (including employee training) helps ensure proper care and handling of all animals.
Desired Outcome
The BQA Program and its accompanying guidelines cover the major areas of animal nutrition, health, care and handling. Adoption of these scientifically based practices allows the beef value chain to:
- Produce healthier, lower stressed animals
- Create a significant positive impact on the animal health and well-being sustainability indicator outcomes
Why do these outcomes matter?
The BQA program and its accompanying guidelines cover the major areas of animal nutrition, health, care and handling. Adaption of these scientifically based practices allow the beef supply chain to produce healthier, lower stressed animals, which has a significant impact on the animal health and well-being sustainability indicator.
Success Criteria
Increase the number of feedyard employees trained in BQA and BQA principles being implemented at the feedyard.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Focusing on the implementation of BQA principles at feedyards in the U.S. can have significant positive effects on improving animal health and well-being.
Packer & Processor
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the packer and processor sector?
Ensuring that cattle have the highest standards of health and welfare is beneficial to both the packer and processor sector and the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the entire beef industry.
Metrics
Level 1:
Packer: Does the company have a comprehensive animal welfare program including third-party verification?
Processor: Does the company have a documented animal welfare policy (or equivalent), and encourage the adoption of USRSB animal health and well-being metrics?
Level 2:
Packer: What is the company’s total number of USDA non-compliance animal welfare violations per 100,000 head processed in the previous calendar year? What percentage of cattle come under a third-party audit? What percentage pass on first audit?
Processor: Does the company use second or third-party animal welfare audits, such as the North American Meat Institute’s (NAMI), Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide to verify compliance with its policy at least to the packer level?
Level 3:
Does the company track animal health and well-being over time and set goals for continued improvement? Does the company engage its suppliers or participate in partnership, initiatives or programs to advance continuous improvement regarding animal health and well-being in the beef value chain?
Why did we choose these metrics?
Packers and processors, as all sectors of the beef value chain, have a responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of animals under their control are prioritized. Also, from an economic sustainability view, stressful handling of cattle during loading and unloading can decrease carcass quality and yield. Ensuring that cattle health and well-being is prioritized is crucial so that injuries of cattle on site are avoided. Additionally, improper handling of cattle can result in team member health and safety concerns.
Desired Outcomes
Facilities and companies that develop plans and programs around the metrics listed above improve sustainability outcomes of animal health and well-being through:
- Decreased cattle stress and improved employee safety while handling cattle
- Improved cattle welfare (as aligned with current packer/processor audits) and respect of their natural behavior
- Continued safety and quality of beef products
- Avoidance of product loss
- Improved reputation of animal welfare in the packing plant
Why do these outcomes matter?
Stressful handling during loading and unloading of animals can decrease carcass quality and yield. Additionally, improper handling of cattle can result in team member health and safety concerns. Finally, ensuring that cattle health and welfare is prioritized is crucial so that injuries of cattle on site are avoided.
Success Criteria
- Increased number of companies that have a comprehensive animal welfare program, including third-party validation
- Increased number of companies with a documented animal welfare policy (or equivalent)
- Reduced number of USDA non-compliance animal welfare violations
- Increased number of cattle that are included in a third-party audit
- Increased number of third-party audits passed on the first audit
- Increased number of companies that track animal health and well-being over time and set goals for continued improvement
- Increased number of companies that engage their suppliers or participate in partnership, initiatives or programs to advance continuous improvement regarding animal health and well-being in the beef value chain
How do these metrics continuously improve beef sustainability?
Ensuring that cattle have the highest standards of health and welfare is beneficial to both individual beef producers and the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the entire beef industry.
Retail & Food Service
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the retail and food service sector?
Animal health and well-being is one of the top sustainability concerns across different retail and food service stakeholder groups including consumers, shareholders, and advocacy groups.
Metrics
Level 1
Does the company have a documented and publicly available animal care and handling policy? Does the company encourage the adoption of U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework metrics in its beef value chain?
Level 2
Does the company verify compliance with its policy at least to the packer level? Does the company have a policy for audit failures?
Level 3
Does the company engage its suppliers on continuous improvement and emerging issues regarding animal health and well-being in its beef value chain? Does the company track and assess progress on animal health and well-being outcomes that align with its policy?
Why did we choose these metrics?
Animal health and well-being is one of the top sustainability concerns across different retail and food service stakeholder groups including consumers, shareholders, and advocacy groups. Although the retail and food service sector does not directly interact with live animals, their health and well-being play an important role in being a responsible business, delivering consistent, quality products and meeting changing consumer and other stakeholder expectations. The retail and food service sector take this responsibility seriously and is committed to engaging both its customers and suppliers to continuously improve the health and well-being of the animals in its value chain.
Desired Outcomes
Adopting strategies that address these metrics can result in the following improved sustainability outcomes:- Creation of publicly available animal care and handling policy (or similar)
- Verification of humane handling and stunning at the packer level
- Increased collaboration with suppliers to continually improve animal health and well-being throughout the beef value chain
Why do these outcomes matter?
These outcomes indicate the key values of the company and their stance on animal welfare. The policy, verification, and/or collaboration with suppliers is an indication the retail and food service sector operation has placed prerequisite thought into animal health and well-being through the supply chain producing beef.
Success Criteria
- Increased number of companies that have a documented and publicly available animal welfare policy
- Engagement of suppliers and encouraged adoption of the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework metrics in the supply chain, including the BQA Program
- Verification of compliance with company policies at least to the packer level
- Tracking and assessment of progress on animal welfare outcomes
Engaging in continuous improvement is critical to have ongoing dialogue about cattle welfare and health throughout its lifecycle.