Definition
Efficiency is expressed as the unit of input required to produce a unit of output, and yield is the total product generated per unit of time or space. Both concepts address waste as a negative characteristic and drive toward improved profitability.
Cow & Calf
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the cow-calf sector?
Improving the efficiency and yield of the cow-calf sector involves consideration and optimization of every facet of the operation, including maximizing efficiency of the animal converting inputs (forages, grains) into a high-quality protein, improving reproductive efficiencies, and minimizing waste (resources, time and capital). To aid in the optimization of animal productivity, a cow-calf producer should implement an operation-specific strategy.
Metric
Is there a strategy implemented to optimize animal productivity through improved nutrition, reproduction, genetics, technologies and practices appropriate to their operational goals and context?
Why did we choose this metric?
Desired Outcomes
Improvements in the efficiency and yield sustainability outcomes based on operation implementation of a strategy to optimize animal productivity include (on a per unit basis):
- Increased animal performance and efficiency
- Reduced idle animal units
- Increased calving rate
- Decreased morbidity
- Decreased mortality
- Reduced input costs
- Increased profitability
Why do these outcomes matter?
Success Criteria
Increase efficiency and yield through improved nutrition, reproduction, genetics, technology, and practices.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Cow-calf operations who optimize animal productivity will use fewer amounts of inputs for the same unit of output, benefiting both the overall sustainability of the beef industry and also the profitability of their individual operation.
Auction Market
Efficiency and yield in beef production routinely monitors a variety of components to evaluate cattle performance and operational efficiency. Among these are factors like average daily gain and animal health. As auctions serve as the conduit between the cow/calf sector and those up the chain, auctions have minimal impact on efficiency and yield.
Auctions do recognize that other indicators and metrics may have a secondary supporting impact on efficiency and yield and thus the initial focus of auction markets will be on the sustainability indicators for water resources, employee safety and well-being, and animal health and well-being.
FEEDYARD
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the feedyard sector?
Efficiency and Yield are related to the economic viability of the beef community and can affect the metrics of Land Resources, Water Resources, and Air & Greenhouse Gas Emissions through improved nutrient use efficiency.
Metric
Are cattle performance and operational efficiency tracked over time for this facility?
Why did we choose this metric?
Reviewing and comparing performance outcomes over time can enhance decision making, reduce the operations resource use, and improve profitability. Increasing the number of feedyards tracking cattle performance and operational efficiency in the U.S. can have a significant positive effect on the overall efficiency and yield of a specific feedyard and the sector as a whole.
Desired Outcomes
Improved efficiency and yield sustainability outcomes can be realized over time if an operation tracks and acts on improving cattle performance and operational efficiency. By doing this, the following specific outcomes are realized:
- Improved closeout performance
- Improved ration formulation to optimize resources and performance
- Increased efficiency in energy utilization per unit of production
- Minimized shrink and storage losses of feedstuffs through improved methods
- Increased efficiency of feed delivery
The goal of this indicator is not to quantify the efficiency and yield of each feedyard, but rather to help each feedyard develop the process for quantifying and improving their own efficiency and yield.
Success Criteria
Increase the efficiency and yield at U.S. feedyard operations.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Increasing the number of feedyards tracking cattle performance and operational efficiency in the U.S. can have a significant positive effect on the overall efficiency and yield of a specific feedyard and the sector as a whole.
Packer & Processor
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the packer and processor sector?
Efficiency and yield for the packer and processor sector of the U.S. beef supply chain focuses on addressing total amount of waste to landfill and the amount of waste per pound of beef produced sent to a landfill.
Metrics
Level 1
Is a program to divert waste from landfills implemented at the facility?
Level 2
How much mass of waste/head or mass of waste/finished product does your company divert from landfill?
Level 3
Does your company track waste reduction over time and set goals for continued improvement? Does your company participate in partnerships, initiatives or programs to further advance waste reduction strategies?
Why did we choose these metrics?
Waste reduction is relevant in all manufacturing facilities and impacts the environmental and financial performance of those facilities. In addition, this topic allowed USRSB to avoid potential conflicts or concerns regarding financial or proprietary information. Reducing waste at a manufacturing facility improves environmental performance, lowers costs of materials, lowers cost of labor, lowers costs of disposal, and results in a more efficient operation.
Desired Outcomes
As packers and processors implement strategies to address these metrics, the sustainability outcome improvements include:
- Reduction in the amount of waste generated by the packer and processor sector
- Reduction of waste to landfill
- Ensuring the consumption of material resources and subsequent waste generation does not result in contamination of air, land and/or water
- Reduction of waste through diversion and reuse whenever possible
Reducing waste at a manufacturing facility improves environmental performance, lowers costs of materials, lowers cost of labor, lowers costs of disposal, and results in a more efficient operation.
Success Criteria
- Increased number of facilities who have a program to divert waste from landfills
- Reduced mass of waste/head or mass of waste/finished product sent to landfill
- Increased number of companies who track waste reduction over time and set goals for continued improvement
- Increased number of companies who participate in partnerships, initiatives or programs to further advance waste reduction strategies
Composting waste and recycling processing and packaging materials reduces environmental impact, improves efficiency and can create economic value.
Retail & Food Service
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the retail and food service sector?
The beef value chain has a responsibility to minimize waste and ensure as much protein reaches its destination and feeds people rather than being diverted to another end use or landfill.
Metrics
Level 1
Has the company assessed food waste in its own operations?
Level 2
Does the company have programs focused on reducing food waste in its operations, including beef waste? Does the company have policies that encourage adoption of U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework metrics and enable suppliers to find alternative uses for safe, wholesome, surplus products (beef, in particular)?
Level 3
Does the company set targets and track performance of its food waste reduction programs, including beef? Does the company engage its direct suppliers and track performance on food waste reduction in its beef supply chain?
Why did we choose these metrics?
Given the diversity of operations within the retail and food service sector, it is important to collaborate on solutions and recommendations being developed to continually improve on reducing food waste and improve efficiency and yield.
Desired Outcomes
By focusing on reducing food waste, many positive outcomes may be achieved including:
- Overall, an improved understanding of the opportunity for reduction or diversion from landfill may be achieved
- The ability to address food waste opportunities specific to the retail and food service operation may be attained
- Implementation of policies to encourage similar practices in the operation’s value chain community, particularly around preventing beef waste
The continued reduction of food waste has lasting impacts on various indicators of the beef value chain. Approximately 41.2 million Americans live in food insecure households, up to one-fifth of cropland, fertilizer, and water used for agriculture is wasted to grow food that is never eaten, and as the number one contributor to landfills (by weight), wasted food accounts for 2.6 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Success Criteria
- Increased number of companies that have assessed food waste in its own operations
- Development of programs focused on reducing food waste
- Engagement of suppliers and encouraged adoption of the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework metrics in the supply chain
- Setting of targets and tracking of performance of food waste reduction programs
Given the diversity of operations within our sector, it is important for our sector to collaborate on solutions and recommendations being developed to ensure they accurately reflect the realities of our operations and position efforts for success.