Why healthier grasslands are key to more sustainable beef production 

Every morning, Shawn Freeland walks his pasture to check the cattle and read the land. Over the years, the South Dakota rancher has seen the signs of change: stronger root systems, healthier forage, more wildlife returning to his fields. Since shifting to more regenerative grazing practices, he’s started to rebuild the soil beneath his boots — one season at a time. 

“About 10 years ago, I started to learn about what’s now called regenerative agriculture,” Shawn says. “A few things were starting to click for me. Since then, we’ve changed a lot of our soil health practices. It’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had on this ranch, to see the confirmation that what we’re doing is right, and not just for our bottom line." 

This isn’t just about productivity. It’s about protecting a working landscape that’s under growing pressure. The grasslands of the Great Plains, once stretching across hundreds of millions of acres, are now one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet due to land conversion and habitat loss. 

These prairies support the livelihoods of thousands of ranchers and form the foundation of the North American beef supply chain. But without intentional stewardship, they risk being lost to erosion, habitat fragmentation and soil degradation. That’s why Cargill and our partners have stepped in. 

 

Building a more resilient beef supply chain 

Cargill is supporting practical, proven practices that improve soil health, increase carbon storage and boost the resilience of grazing lands — and the beef supply chain that depends on it to meet the world’s growing protein needs.  

Much of this work is happening in places like South Dakota’s ranchlands, where grasslands support both a $3 billion ranching economy and a wide variety of native wildlife. Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are partnering with local producers across the region to put conservation into action. 

Our customers — across retailers, restaurants and foodservice providers — are frequently seeking progress toward their sustainability goals. For years, we have worked together to support conservation projects that align with the needs of both ranchers and the land they manage.

We invest in programs that help fund water infrastructure, fencing, native grass seeding technical assistance, and more — all tailored to the local ecosystem and rancher’s goals. For example, working with ranchers to integrate rotational grazing practices can help rest pastures between use, giving grasslands time to recover and grow more vigorously. Better grass cover means better forage for cattle, more habitat for wildlife, and healthier root systems and soil that can hold more water and carbon. 

Why grasslands play a vital role in climate resilience 

Once spanning more than 580 million square miles, the native prairie of the Great Plains is one of the most important — and most threatened — ecosystems in North America. Roots in healthy grasslands can store large amounts of carbon below ground while helping reduce erosion, improve water quality and support hundreds of native bird and mammal species. 

Our approach focuses on scaling up practical solutions like adaptive grazing and reseeding that deliver environmental and economic benefits at the same time.

This includes partnerships with organizations like NFWF, Ducks Unlimited Canada, The Nature Conservancy and others, as well as local conservation districts and ranching groups. These partnerships are essential in maximizing our impact, as NGOs can leverage government grants to multiply what we or our customers could achieve singularly. 

As more producers look for ways to adapt to changing conditions and preserve their land for the next generation, the need for support continues to grow. Cargill will continue supporting North America’s beef producers by funding conservation projects, improving data measurement tools and building coalitions that bring together the full value chain. 

Because when working lands are healthier, they can work for everyone: people, animals and the climate.