A cattle management and sustainability program licensed by Tyson Fresh Meats has been honored for its sustainability efforts.

Progressive Beef was recognized by the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) for demonstrating successful alignment with the industry’s sustainability framework.

In 2018, Tyson Fresh Meats became the first beef processor to license the Progressive Beef program.

The program allows Tyson, which relies on purchasing high quality cattle from independent producers across the country, to offer a beef program that creates a higher confidence level for consumers while differentiating themselves from other beef programs.

In order to become a Progressive Beef certified feedyard, operators and employees must be trained on critical areas including cattle care, water usage, energy usage and food safety.

All Progressive Beef certified feedyards must also adhere to standard operating procedures, many of which are centered on sustainability and social responsibility and are verified annually by independent USDA-approved third-party auditors.

“With an increase in consumer interest for transparency, product sourced from Progressive Beef certified feedyards is gaining traction in both the retail and foodservice channels,” says John Butler, chief executive officer of Progressive Beef. “Consumers more than ever want to know where their food is coming from and want to ensure it was handled and treated properly. The Progressive Beef program is one of the easiest ways for retail and foodservice operators to have access to a consistent supply of beef where the production practices are known, proven and can be quickly communicated to consumers.”