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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Can Cattle Grazing be Good for the Environment?

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Wednesday, November 16, 2016   

BILLINGS, Mont. - The ancient plains of Montana once hosted herds of animals that grazed the land. Now, cattle and other domesticated animals do that work.

According to former environmental lawyer and author Nicolette Hahn Niman, the planet actually is grazed far less than it used to be. Her book "Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production" explores the benefits of raising cattle and the positive effects it can have on the land - when it's done correctly.

"Rather than so much attention being paid to the negative impacts of cattle when they're poorly managed," she said, "we should be focusing on the tremendous benefits of well-managed grazing."

Cattle ranching has been criticized by some as contributing to climate change. However, Hahn Niman said, well-managed grazing can improve soil health and even help sequester carbon dioxide. She said it also can help keep water in the soil.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation manages more than 4 million acres of land classified for grazing across the state.

Hahn Niman defended eating meat in her book as well. While she believes the industrialization of the livestock industry isn't the healthiest approach to producing meat, she said that doesn't mean meat production should be halted completely.

"Eliminating livestock is literally throwing the baby out with the bathwater, because there are so many benefits to having livestock in the food system," she said. "We need to correct some of the problems that have come about through modern systems, but we really need to have these animals."

Hahn Niman will be the keynote speaker at the Northern Plains Resource Council's 45th annual meeting on Friday and Saturday in Billings. Other topics include oil-by-rail safety, the future of coal, and accessing financing for clean energy. The public can hear Hahn Niman speak on Saturday morning. Information on how to attend is online at northernplains.org.


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