Best Sourced Beef

THE RIGHT WAY

If you take care of the cattle and the land, they’ll take care of you. It’s a simple yet powerful truth that has guided generations of cattlemen and women. For those in agriculture, the relationship between cattle, land and people is deeply intertwined. Farmers and ranchers depend on the land and cattle for their livelihood, just as the land and cattle depend on farmers and ranchers to care for them. This mutual reliance has been the backbone of our industry for centuries, but today it’s taking on even greater meaning as sustainability becomes a shared vision between cattlemen and consumers.

Over the past 46 years, the Certified Angus Beef® brand has brought people together across the beef community by focusing on education, trust, culture and quality. These aren’t just ideals—they’re commitments that touch every part of what we do, from humane cattle care to land stewardship. It’s exciting to see how much closer producers and consumers are in their expectations. Through programs like BQA and partnerships with Ducks Unlimited and Noble Research Institute, we’re building a shared understanding of what sustainability means and how it benefits everyone.

Looking to the future, I’m optimistic about what the next generation will accomplish. With advancements in technology and an even stronger connection to consumers, they’ll continue to innovate and build on the work of those who came before them. It’s not just about progress… it’s about keeping our communities, families and businesses relevant and successful for generations to come.

Sustainability is more than a goal. It’s how we honor the past and prepare for the future. Together, farmers and ranchers, families and communities are creating a legacy of care and quality that reflects what’s always been at the heart of this business: doing things the right way.

OUR COMMITMENT TO HUMANE ANIMAL CARE & CLIMATE FRIENDLY PRACTICES

CARING FOR CATTLE

We consider Beef Quality Assurance certification our baseline for cattle care. This ensures cattle are handled in a safe, humane and environmentally sustainable way.

IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT

Leaving the land better than we found it by investing in the open grasslands where cattle are raised and protecting these vital ecosystems.

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST:

FOR TODAY. FOR THE FUTURE.

The best-tasting beef made possible by the best people. See how we’re helping support the communities where our beef is raised and enjoyed.

BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR CATTLE CARE, SHOWING THE DEDICATION AND PASSION IT TAKES TO PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY BEEF. IT UNITES CATTLEMEN AND WOMEN TO IMPROVE BEST PRACTICES AND ENSURES WE REMAIN THE MOST SUSTAINABLE BEEF INDUSTRY IN THE WORLD.

RESTORING WETLANDS WITH SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Utah’s JY Ferry and Son, Inc., isn’t just raising Angus cattle—it’s raising the bar on sustainability.

This century-old family operation, led by brothers John and Ben Ferry, has turned grazing into a tool for wetland restoration. Their innovative approach earned them the 2024 Certified Angus Beef Sustainability Award.

In wetlands north of Salt Lake City, grazing cattle keep invasive plants at bay, promote soil health and stimulate plant growth, all while creating a thriving habitat for birds and wildlife. It’s a delicate balance, but the Ferry family has mastered it by mimicking nature’s wet-and-dry cycles and practicing rotational grazing.

For the farming and ranching families behind the best beef, respect isn’t an afterthought. Respect is everything. Respect for the cattle. Respect for the land. Respect for delivering the best beef for your tables.

Respect isn’t just a buzzword—it’s how we work. In partnership with Sysco, Certified Angus Beef launched the Raised with Respect™ campaign to elevate Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, a nationally recognized program that ensures cattle are cared for with the highest standards. In year one, more than 1,500 farmers and ranchers earned BQA certification through tailored workshops and online education. Together, we’re investing in the future of beef care, one certification at a time.

Year two is here, and the mission continues. Alongside Sysco, we’re doubling down on BQA certification to build consumer trust and support cattlemen and women. This year’s highlights include feedyard-focused events with Spanish interpretation and workshops tailored for younger Angus cattlemen and women—the future of our industry.

Why BQA? It’s about more than best practices. It’s a way to show that farmers and ranchers care about animal welfare, sustainability and producing the best-sourced, best-tasting beef.

CONSUMERS CARE ABOUT CLIMATE-FRIENDLY PRACTICES, AND FARMERS AND RANCHERS ARE RISING TO MEET THOSE EXPECTATIONS. PROGRAMS LIKE THE WORKING GRASSLAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE AND THE LAND STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIP DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING BOTH ANGUS OPERATIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

IF IT’S GOOD FOR THE HERD,

IT’S GOOD FOR THE BIRD

By conserving working grasslands and their embedded wetland habitats, cattle and grazing operations protect vital ecosystems having a positive environmental contribution.

Aided Family Farmers

Projects in the Working Grasslands Conservation Initiative have helped about 720 farm and ranch families.

Enhanced Conservation

In partnership with Ducks Unlimited and numerous other organizations, Certified Angus Beef helped support the protection, restoration and enhancement of 510,802 acres of wetland, grassland and cropland in the Prairie Pothole Region.

Increased Biodiversity

Protected habitat that is capable of supporting up to an estimated 8,194 pairs over 3 years.1

Improved Clean Water Resources

Protected and restored 40,216 acre-feet of annual water storage from drainage. This is equivalent to 19,822 Olympic swimming pools of water storage every year.

Reduced Carbon Dioxide

Prevented the emissions of 235,375 mtCO2e per year and sequestered 5,938 mtCO2e per year. This is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by 41,313 passenger cars in a year.2

Reduced Soil Erosion

Reducing soil erosion and capturing runoff prevented the release of 29,824 kilograms of phosphorus per year, enough to fertilize 13,494 acres of corn annually4 or 18,664 acres of a golf course annually. 5

`1` The pair model has been updated and reflects remotely sensed temporal surface water.

`2` EPA Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator, 2024.

`3` USDA NASS Soybean ND/SD Fertilizer Average Application, 2023.

`4` Penn State Extension, Turfgrass Fertilization: A Basic Guide for Professional Turfgrass Managers.

BY INVESTING IN THESE YOUNG LEADERS, WE’RE NURTURING THE FUTURE OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY AND ENSURING THE NEXT GENERATION THRIVES WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION AND A SHARED VISION FOR EXCELLENCE.

Shaping the Future: The Colvin Scholarship Fund and the Next Generation of Agriculture

By awarding $100,000 to 26 passionate students in 2024, the Colvin Scholarship Fund is fueling innovation, leadership, and sustainability in agriculture for years to come.

These recipients, focused on diverse careers across the industry, are carrying forward the legacy of Certified Angus Beef co-founder, Louis “Mick” Colvin, by driving innovation and progress in the field.

Since its inception 25 years ago, the Colvin Scholarship Fund has awarded $633,500 to 176 students who are passionate about improving agriculture. This year’s recipients stand out for their passion and leadership, excelling in categories ranging from production agriculture to graduate-level research. Each recipient is poised to make a significant impact on the industry.

The Certified Angus Beef Culinary & Butchery Externship offers a unique, hands-on opportunity for students to immerse themselves in every aspect of beef production, from butchery and charcuterie to high-end culinary techniques. Throughout this 15-week paid externship, externs work closely with expert chefs and meat scientists to master beef preparation, cooking methods, and the farm-to-table process while gaining valuable industry experience.

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Culinary School Events

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Culinary Scholarships

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Culinary Externship - CIA

The journey from pasture to plate involves many hands, but it’s rare for the rancher’s hand to meet the chef’s before the steak hits the table. The Certified Angus Beef Connecting the Culinarian and Rancher event brought together young ranchers and culinary students to discuss the “how, why and what” behind raising cattle and preparing beef. The two-day experience fostered conversations around sustainability, animal care and culinary techniques, while building connections between these future leaders of the beef supply chain.

“We’re shaping the future of beef education by connecting the next generation of ranchers and chefs. Our ‘Connecting the Rancher and Culinarian’ program, now in its third year, focuses on building meaningful relationships between these two vital worlds,” Chef Ashley Breneman says.

Five young ranchers and five culinary students, from different regions of the country, shared their expertise and discovered common goals. “As ranchers, our goal is to create the best product possible, but the chefs’ goal is to serve it,” said Mia Encinias, a West Texas A&M animal science student. “Without one another, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

The hands-on experience allowed students to gain new insight into each other’s worlds. Culinary students learned about livestock genetics and animal care, while ranchers honed their grilling skills. By the end of the event, both groups had built lasting connections and gained deeper appreciation for their shared passion for the best beef.

At Certified Angus Beef, sustainability isn’t just a commitment—it’s a conversation we want to continue. Together, we can create a future where the best beef and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Follow us on social media to learn more.

Best Sourced Beef

THE RIGHT WAY