The Upper Loup Natural Resources District in Thedford, Neb., caught the attention of cattle producers last week. The taxpayer funded district ran an Earth Day feature in their newsletter that urged people to commit to meatless meals in an effort to conserve water.
At the request of several members, Elysabeth Kierl, manager of the Sandhills Cattle Association said she penned a letter to the NRD and area newspapers about the misstep. In the letter, Kierl said she understands the challenges of cultivating newsletter content, as she handles the task for the SCA.
Kierl said the ULNRD newsletter featured a “Celebrate Earth Day” article that she said “calls out” the beef industry by suggesting customers commit to meatless meals in an effort to conserve water. The last bullet point reads, “Have meatless meals a few times a week. It takes about 1,800 pounds of water to produce one pound of beef.”
The following are excerpts from an opinion piece by Lysabeeth Kierls, Manager, Sandhills Cattle Association that will appear in the April 15, 2021 issue of the Custer County Chief. To read
Kierls opinion piece in full, see the paper or digital copy of the April 15, 2021 issue of the Custer County Chief.
The recent April edition of the Upper Loup Scoop newsletter mailed by the Upper Loup Natural Resources District (NRD) has me hoping they published it as an April Foolâs joke.
.It does not take you long to dive a little deeper into the bullet points of their âCelebrate Earth Dayâ article to find a âcall outâ to the animal ag industry, namely the beef industry. The last bullet point reads, âHave meatless meals a few times a week. It takes about 1,800 pounds of water to produce one pound of beef.â