Beef Month Q&A with Brandi Buzzard
Brandi Buzzard is a rancher, cowgirl, and advocate who lives in Kansas and owns a Gelbvieh/seedstock operation with her husband, Hyatt, and daughter, Oakley. She has spoken on MSNBC, FOX, and CBS, and visited the White House to address issues like climate change, sustainability, and nutrition. She makes regular appearances on/in podcasts, radio, and print journalism. She has worked for the Beef Cattle Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and is currently the Red Angus Association of America’s Director of Communications.
Throughout her career, she has strived to provide clear, transparent communication, whether the topic is sustainability or marketing programs. In my opinion, she’s done wonders for the beef industry as far as effectively communicating agriculture — which is why I wanted to pick her brain…
Q: How did you begin your career within the beef industry?
A: I started working in the beef industry in 2012 at the Beef Cattle Institute as the communications coordinator. It was the first job in which I was able to combine my passion for the beef industry with my writing and storytelling skill set and it set me up for the rest of my career.
Q: How has your specific beef journey changed since you began?
A: I've learned so much about how to be a better communicator not only in the case of promoting beef to grocery shoppers but also in professional communications as well as industry-specific groups. Clear and factual communication really is an important vehicle for relationships and progress, and that is more evident to me now than ever before.
Q: What is the biggest issue facing the beef industry right now?
A: It's pretty evident to me that sustainability and environmental concerns are top of mind with grocery shoppers and industry critics.
Q: How are you working to combat said issue?
A: For the beef industry to combat accusations of environmental harm, we first need everyone to acknowledge that climate change is happening. Once we are all in the same boat, then we can start rowing in the same direction to fund research and initiatives that highlight beef's positive climate impact and its role in a sustainable food supply. A lot of great work has already been done by organizations like the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and as an industry, I hope we can continue to build on that foundation.
Q: In your own words, how does beef help the environment?
A: Cattle are critical in fighting food waste in the U.S. which is a tremendously problematic environmental issue. Any animal that can take something as unappealing as an onion slurry and transform it into a ribeye should be celebrated.
Q: How do you believe beef factors into a healthy diet?
A: From personal experience, when I am training for half marathons and running consistently, my body is telling me that it needs protein. When I'm fueling my active lifestyle with beef, I feel better and have more energy and that's due to the nutritional punch that beef delivers via protein, zinc, iron, and several other nutrients and vitamins. Aside from personal experience, there is an abundance of research that demonstrates how lean beef plays a role in a heart-healthy diet and I'm a big proponent of scientific proof!
Q: What’s your opinion on alternative protein?
A: I support grocery shoppers having choices, but I really wish they would choose beef instead of a patty that isn't anywhere near as nutritionally packed as real meat! Many times, people choose those alternative proteins because they think it's better for the environment, but we know that not to be true. Does beef have a climate impact? Yes — all food has a climate impact. But I'd argue a factory churning out alternative proteins produces a lot more greenhouse gas emissions than a cow eating grass!
Q: What are some ways ranchers can advocate for the beef industry?
A: If you have a chance to speak with grocery shoppers, truly listen to their concerns and questions. Don't just assume you know why they are hesitant about beef — ask them and actually listen to the answer before sharing your story.
Q: Lastly, what’s your advice to someone wanting to break-into the beef industry?
A: Set big goals and take big risks. Don't be afraid of the word "no" — setbacks make you stronger.
Follow Buzzard:
Instagram: @brandibuzzard
Facebook: Buzzard’s Beat
Website: www.buzzardsbeat.com
