An open letter to Bill Gates - Idaho Cattle Association
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MESSAGE FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY DIRECTOR
An open letter to
Bill Gates BY KAREN WILLIAMS
ICA Natural Resources
Policy Director
D ear Mr. Gates,
You do not know me. Our paths have never
crossed, and it is highly unlikely that they ever will.
Every aspect of a cattle producer’s livelihood is under
heavy regulation—from the way we manage the land
to the way we market our livestock to our ability to
Yet the power of your words has the potential to put food on the table. You are, no doubt, a highly in-
deeply affect not only me, but those I care about. In telligent human being and you have clearly observed
your recent interview with MIT’s Technology Review, just how easy it would be to completely squeeze us
you called for the elimination of an entire American out of business. I can only hope to assume that what
industry when you said, “I do think all rich countries you are motivated by is good intentions to protect our
should move to 100% synthetic beef.” Not only do planet for future generations. But as the saying goes,
you seek to abolish ranchers, but you also have the the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
nerve to dictate an entire countries’ food and diet I will readily admit that I have not walked in your
choices. In what is perhaps the most galling part of shoes. I cannot begin to fathom what life must be like
your statement, you said, “Eventually, that green pre- to be the world’s third richest person, to have $129
mium is modest enough that you can sort of change billion dollars at my disposal, or to live in a 66,000
the [behavior of] people or use regulation to totally square foot mansion. Similarly, you have not walked
shift the demand.” in my boots, nor those of the 720,000 American
How dare you? It is beyond belief and utterly cattle producers, the majority of whom live hand to
appalling that you would use your oversized platform mouth struggling to put food on their own tables all
to call upon government to regulate away an entire the while providing food and fiber for the world’s
industry’s existence. But maybe you had taken note hungry population and growing appetite. There is no
that this is currently happening, quite successfully, possible way that you can imagine what life is like for
and you hope to pile on the government’s fast-moving the American rancher so I will give you the benefit of
train of regulatory overreach which has already had a doubt, albeit extremely slight, that you miscalcu-
such a negative effect on our ability to do business. lated the true potential impact of your words. So, let
me tell you a little about why your recent statement
is not only offensive and absurd, but also unrealis-
tic and detrimental to both human health and the
Americans love beef. In natural environment. What exactly would happen
if you were successful in your quest to rid beef from
American’s diets? There would be significant envi-
hamburgers alone, we eat ronmental, social, and economic repercussions that
would deplete and diminish this country.
50 billion each year - or Let’s start with the obvious. Americans love beef.
In hamburgers alone, we eat 50 billion each year—
137 million per day.
or 137 million per day. Not only does it bring great
enjoyment and satisfaction when consumed, but beef
is one of the most nutrient dense foods
www.idahocattle.org IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION 1
available, providing protein and myth? According to the U.S. Environ- alone which is a figure comparable to
essential nutrients that are necessary mental Protection Agency, methane from the estimated 128 million metric tons
for healthy living. In speaking of fake beef cattle accounts for only 2% of the contributed by beef cattle annually. To
beef, you said, “You can get used to United States’ greenhouse gas emissions. put that into proper perspective, the
the taste difference, and the claim is Compare that with the 29% generated emissions from one state’s wildfires in
they’re going to make it taste even by the transportation sector and 28% one year are similar to those from an
better over time.” No. Just no. Aside by electricity production. Even if you entire nationwide industry and yet you
from the taste difference of which were able to accomplish your stated goal would seek to dissolve that industry
you speak, synthetic meat—whether of eliminating U.S. beef production, it forever. And do you want to know what
plant based or lab-grown—is highly would have minimal impact on green- is the only tool available to help limit
processed with dozens of ingredients house gas emissions and completely and control those wildfires across the
and chemical additives. Real beef has defeat your purpose. According to 770 million acres of rangelands within
just one ingredient: beef. It is non- research published in the Proceedings of the U.S., particularly in the arid and
sensical to deprive the populations of the National Academies of Sciences, if all inaccessible west? Cattle. That’s right.
“rich countries” of this important diet livestock in the U.S. were eliminated and Livestock grazing is one of the only
staple. Though as a whole, our country every American followed a vegan diet, tools, and certainly the most cost-effec-
is considered wealthy, there are plenty greenhouse gas emissions would only be tive, available to reduce fuel loads on
of hungry kids within its borders who reduced by 2.6%, or 0.36% globally. Beef rangelands. However, concurrent to in-
need the protein and nutrients that production is but a drop in a very, very creasing wildfire prevalence, restrictive
beef provides. big bucket. Further, its impact is offset by land use policies adopted over the past
The entire premise upon which your the host of benefits it provides. few decades have significantly reduced
thoughts are based is that synthetic beef Do you want to know what actual- the ability to employ this tool—and
would be more beneficial to the environ- ly does put a lot of carbon emissions now you want to completely eliminate
ment. Where do I start here? There is into the air? Wildfires. In 2020, U.S. it. When livestock grazing is reduced or
a whole host of reasons that prove you wildfires burned 10.27 million acres, eliminated, the grass grows and dries
wrong, not the least of which is the over- the highest yearly total on record. The and becomes ideal fuel for fire, leading
stated falsehood that cattle are a leading amount of carbon dioxide emitted from to greater likelihood of uncontrollable
source of greenhouse gas emissions. Can these fires is staggering—111.7 mil-
we please just stop perpetuating this lion metric tons from California fires CONTINUED, PAGE 3
2 LINE RIDER MARCH 2021 www.idahocattle.org
wildfires. Admittedly, there are many land. If managed grazing could be ly to take over in the absence of grazing
factors at play when it comes to the amped up worldwide, it could sequester animals. The continued presence of
increasing prevalence of catastrophic over 16 gigatons of carbon by 2050.” livestock grazing enhances habitats and
fire, but it is nonsensical to eradicate a Why would you ever seek to abolish one native biological diversity. The contin-
key tool in fighting against it. of the very best tools at your disposal in ued presence of our industry is critical
Not only do cattle NOT present a managing the world’s voracious appe- to our environment.
significant threat in the climate change tite for carbon? Beyond the environmental benefit,
dialogue, but they actually provide a It is important for you to understand you cannot overlook the obvious effect
host of opportunities for improved that a stable cattle industry ensures of eradicating an entire segment of
carbon storage in landscapes across that these important range and pas- food production on our food security.
the country. Grassland ecosystems turelands will remain intact to be able Why don’t you ask some of the people
are dependent upon grazing to spur to continue their important role in affected by the recent extreme cold
the lifecycle of perennial grasses, and sequestering carbon. If forced out of the weather and power outages in our
modern managed grazing is the most livestock business, what recourse will country how they felt when they went
efficient means of replicating this ranchers—the landowners of America— to the grocery store to get sustenance
natural process. Livestock grazing have other than to sell to the highest for their families only to find empty
captures carbon and increases the rate bidder for alternative uses. Either that shelves instead of the food supplies
of sequestration. Carbon sequestration land will become cropland, which can necessary to survive? As has been
is the process of transferring carbon release the soil’s carbon rather than demonstrated repeatedly over this past
dioxide from the atmosphere into the store it, or more likely as recent history year, between panic buying and food
soil. Once carbon is transferred to the shows, that land will be subdivided and distribution issues brought on by the
soil, carbon can be stored for decades paved. The land which once provided pandemic and weather-related short-
or longer, thus preventing it from the much beloved open spaces and ages, managing and maintaining our
entering the atmosphere. According to abundant habitat for wildlife is then food supply is an extremely tenuous
Project Drawdown, a group of inter- lost, the landscape is fragmented, and situation. In the instant that our power
national scientists focused on climate the entire ecosystem suffers. Where supply is threatened, synthetic food
research, “about 40 percent of ice-free conversion to cropland or development will simply not be able to be manufac-
land on earth is considered grazing does not occur, invasive weeds are like- tured. Whereas meat that is produced
www.idahocattle.org IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION 3
from animals will always be available as long as there are people willing to do the work to raise and process it. The slightest disruption to our food supply has serious implications not only on our health, but on our national securi- ty. The success of this country is wholly dependent upon American agriculture and our ability to feed ourselves. How quickly we would fall if we could not feed ourselves. Beyond the importance of U.S. beef to our own food security is the import- ant role it plays in feeding the world. American cattle ranchers produce over 26 billion pounds of beef annually. Of that, 3.2 billion pounds are exported to help feed other countries’ populations. You cannot simply wipe out an entire food commodity without it having serious implications across the globe. Those populations not living in the “rich” countries, as you put it, are starv- ing. They do not have the capability to PHOTO BY KAREN WILLIAMS produce the food they need, nor can Cattle at work sequestering carbon on Idaho rangelands. they do it with any comparable degree of efficiency to which American cattle and a variety of household products. tions come in the form of volunteer ranchers produce beef. Why would you A 2014 economic analysis found that, efforts in school boards, school gyms, seek to further cripple the potential of beef cattle production contributed county fairs, fire protection districts, those already struggling countries by approximately $165 billion to the U.S. PTAs, wildlife stewardship groups, limiting the global food supply? Ad- economy through direct and indirect water boards, and in countless other ditionally, why would you want to put economic and employment opportuni- avenues. These are the things that at risk the diversity of food available ties. In addition, the value of U.S. beef make our country hum. The number to the world’s population meanwhile exports continues to grow, eclipsing $8 of man-hours, almost entirely unpaid, limiting options that the public has for billion in total value. To put it mildly, that makes rural areas survive and consuming a complete diet? the economic contribution of cattle thrive is staggering. When their land is As a successful businessman, you producers is significant and could not sold to outside investors and absentee obviously have a great understanding be simply erased without a major rip- landowners, who will be left to do their of economics. So, let’s talk a little dol- ple effect across the U.S. economy. work? The void will be immeasurable. lars and cents. Maybe I can get through Given the heartless way in which Do not underestimate the force for to you that way. In America, there are you so easily brushed off an entire good, the positive influence, the inge- more than 720,000 farms and ranches industry, you probably will not care nuity, and the hard work that is the that produce beef. This equates to 35% about this last issue, but it is worth American cattle industry. of all U.S. farm operations. The beef mentioning that the cattle industry Mr. Gates, your words put on full industry is the largest single sector in provides tremendous societal benefit. display the hypocrisy of the over-in- agriculture. In addition to the nu- In addition to the reverberating effects dulged. You speak to the masses of the trient-rich beef, it also provides raw of the cattleman’s dollar in a communi- need for massive societal change in materials that support the production ty, even more resounding is the social the name of climate change while you of finished products in various eco- contributions made by the people that travel the globe in your private jet. The nomic sectors, including pharmaceu- make up our industry. Though not tical, retail, health care, automotive, easily quantifiable, these contribu- CONTINUED, PAGE 5 4 LINE RIDER MARCH 2021 www.idahocattle.org
companies you create and invest in, borne on the backs of SOURCE: AGAMERICA.COM AND 2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
the American worker and burgeoned through the system of
American capitalism, create more than their share of green-
house gas emissions and yet you expect others to sacrifice
their livelihoods to do what? Clear your conscience?
You have personally realized the American dream to its ul-
10,500+-Ac. Ranch: Idaho’s best historic cattle ranch, 600 +- cow-
timate extent, yet you preach of socialistic causes that would calf or 1000 head summer yearlings. Known for low winter feeding
area, homes, cabins, feedlot, trout ponds, live stream, world class
prevent others from seeing even a fraction of your success. hunting. Three Creek - $10,750,000
And if that’s not bad enough, you want to extirpate an entire 541+- Ac. Farm-Cattle: 1887 priority date water right source from
Camas Creek. Includes 7 tower pivot, 264 +- acres are cultivated.
industry—one that provides a tremendous amount of good,
125+- head for 4 +- months. Includes 2 homes, shop & barn
and certainly a net benefit, to the world. Fairfield- $1,895,000
I know that I have hit you with a lot of tough talk and facts 308+- Ac. Dairy: With 1168 head AU,double-12 hearing bone,724
lock ups and 7 bay commodity barn. Water cost is $16/ acre per
and figures in this letter, but I wanted it to be abundantly season. SOLD!! Fruitland-$5,775,000
clear that your suggestion is not only intellectually ludicrous 530+-Ac. Organic Farm-Cattle: With approx. 268 +- acres irrigat-
but also scientifically invalid. No doubt, you have done a lot of ed under seven pivots wheel lines and solid set. 100+- head opera-
tion, Self sufficient year round ranch. Bliss - $3,950,000
philanthropic work with your money and have changed lives
for the better for those who have benefitted from your gener- 165 +/- Ac. Dairy: 1800 milking cow and 300 dry cows for a total of
2940 AU double 24 parallel. SOLD! Castleford, $6,000,000
ous donations to worldwide health initiatives. However, your
We specialize in tax deferred exchange
vast financial resources do not qualify you to establish public
Accredited land consultant
policy nor do they enable you to dictate how Americans earn a
living or what food they can eat. You are way off the mark with
this one.
Please reconsider your remarks, reverse course, and set the
record straight on the incomparable, irreplaceable value that
is America’s cattle industry.
Sincerely,
Karen M. Williams, on behalf of all American cattle producers
www.idahocattle.org IDAHO CATTLE ASSOCIATION 5You can also read
