National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is the marketing organization and trade association for America’s one million cattle farmers and ranchers. In the following viewpoint, the NCBA argues that beef production does not degrade or exhaust such natural resources as land, water, energy, and grain. In addition, the NCBA maintains, livestock grazing is not a significant contributor to global warming and deforestation. The NCBA has offices in Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What happens to cattle feedlot waste before its application to land as fertilizer, according to the NCBA?
2. According to the author, why is beef production often more energy efficient than plant food production?
3. What are the risks of a vegetarian diet, in the NCBA’s...