What do you do with a problem that is undefinable, hard to understand and lacks a consensus? That’s the constant challenge facing the beef industry because it describes perfectly the issue of sustainability.

Many cattle producers in the Western region of the U.S. are dependent upon federal grazing permits to sustain their livelihoods. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology has estimated that grazing permit holders account for more than half of the commercial cattle in the 11 Western states.

Looking back, U.S. agricultural industries have changed dramatically over the past decade. Given mounting political, social, technological and economic pressures, it is safe to assume not only that change will continue, but that it could even increase in rapidity.