Beef industry rides high on good prices and rain as it steps up its sustainability credentials

Worth more than $20 billion, there's no question the beef industry is big business in Australia, but can it also be a sustainable one? Key points: The Beef Sustainability Report for 2021 outlines the work the industry is doing around animal welfare, the environment and profitability It showed animal welfare, economic resilience, environmental issues and maintaining a safe and healthy workforce were key issues It shows more farmers are using pain relief, more land is being used for conservation, but more data is needed. Launching the Beef Sustainability Report for 2021, the fourth annual report compiled by the Sustainability Steering Group, chairwoman Tess Herbert said tracking public sentiment remained a challenge. Launched in 2017, managing director Jason Strong said the CN2030 program was critical to securing the industry's reputation as a global leader in sustainable food production but would require new technology and farm practices. David Foote, managing director of Australian Country Choice, one of Australia's largest vertically integrated beef supply chains, said producers needed to embrace sustainability, even if it's forced upon them.