At the latest Tele-Ag Roundtable, Coronavirus seemed to have an impact on each topic discussed. One issue that has impacted the industry well before the pandemic, is climate change.
Production agriculture has recognized and made changes necessary to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. In crop production, ethanol has been a large contributor to making positive impacts. Rob Elliott, former Illinois Corn Growers Association President, shares the practice of a high octane, low carbon fuel standards to preserve the presence of ethanol in the auto industry.
Jim Leiting, of Big River Resources, encourages the agriculture industry to be on the forefront of positive change:
“Carbon is big and it is getting bigger, relative to the environmentalist, relative to agriculture. I think we need to embrace it and be part of the program because that program is coming, regardless of what our viewpoint may or may not be.”
Jennifer Tirey, from Illinois Pork Producers, explained how animal agriculture is making contributions to reduce greenhouse emissions. The priority of livestock producers is to protect their livestock, as well as the environment. Most pork producers have transitioned hogs indoors to become more efficient. Tirey touches on the shift to indoor production:
” We have been able to identify their water needs and limit that additional waste. We have been able to limit electricity and making sure that we are truly fine tuning the way we are caring for our animals, as well as protecting them from our 100 degree temperatures in the summer, and our 0 to 20 degrees below in the winter time in central and parts of Illinois.”
The agriculture industry continues to implement scientific practices to protect the environment the industry depends on.
