Alternative Beef Production Systems: Issues and Implications

Beef markets in the United States are undergoing rapid change as alternative production systems and technologies evolve in response to consumer demands and compete with conventional grain-fed beef production. Beef produced through distinguishable systems results in products with different marketable attributes that may attract price premiums. Beef produced through each system is often associated with claims relating to input and other resource use, land allocation, environmental impacts, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), animal welfare, the use (or not) of specific animal health products, slaughter/processing infrastructure and efficiencies, and providing continuous supplies of safe products for both domestic and international markets. Markets are rapidly changing as consumers demand various combinations of these attributes in their beef products and as science and consumer knowledge converge. We explore the market outlook implications of these changes by examining the specific production technologies behind alternative production systems and products.