Nash: Cattle Producers Can Help Address Climate Change

While it may not be an easy conversation to have, more of the Ag community is taking a proactive role in addressing climate change. Todd Nash, President elect of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, said one way the industry can help is through wildfire mitigation efforts. He said grazing, especially timed grazing, can help restore needed bunch grasses, and keep fuels in check during the most important times of the year.

“Resource wise, for the land for the health of people and the air conditions, there’s a lot of benefit that we can derive from using livestock as a tool.”

Nash added grazing provide a wide variety of benefits for land management agencies, communities, taxpayer and natural resources alike.

Nash added throughout the history of the planets, the climate has changed and evolved on small and large scales. He noted he has yet to see a glacier as large as one that carved the Pacific Northwest tens of thousands of years ago, so change is the name of the game.

“We’re moving through time, I think we need to be good stewards and accommodate the best we can, but understand also that we’ve seen some dramatic climate changes throughout the history of this planet and the ones that we’re experiencing now, could be completely different 20 years from now.”

Nash also noted that the livestock industry is also beneficial using land that is not suitable for crop production. This he pointed out provides important wildlife habitat and naturally sequesters carbon, all while ensuring food is continually being produced to feed the growing global population.

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