A biased article in the August 31 edition of TIME magazine is drawing criticism from beef producers and their organizations. The story quoted anti-agriculture activists who repeated myths about modern beef production. Interviews with five expert sources on beef production were arranged by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as a last minute request by reporter Bryan Walsh, who then proceeded to exclude nearly all of the information provided. The result is a one-sided story presenting an inaccurate picture of how beef and other foods are produced.
Response mechanisms for the beef checkoff, NCBA and state cattlemen’s organizations are engaged in correcting the misinformation. KLA President Todd Allen of Wichita wrote an on-line letter-to-the-editor accusing TIME of irresponsible journalism. Allen told editors it’s disappointing and alarming when a credible source like NCBA is shut out of a story due to the writer’s bias and their negligence in requiring balanced and objective reporting. He explained how beef safety, animal care, environmental stewardship and responsible animal health practices are essential to any producer’s success. Allen expressed personal pride in providing an affordable, nutrient-dense product that contributes only 2.4% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
“If Mr. Walsh would like to correct his errors, he should write about beef’s reputation as a high-quality protein with a small carbon footprint,” Allen wrote.
Rancher members of the Beef Advocate Network (BAN), organized by the Kansas Beef Council (KBC) and Kansas CattleWomen, have been supplied with information to respond to the article.
Source: Kansas Livestock Association