Research
Straight from the field: Sustainability insights from US beef, dairy, and crop producers
Technology adoption, incentive programs, and personal business goals are shaping how producers define and achieve sustainability across diverse agricultural operations.
In 2024/25, RaboResearch conducted a study to understand the factors influencing on-farm decision-making, particularly in areas related to production, resilience, and sustainability. In phase 1 of the research, more than 700 beef, dairy, and crop producers participated in the survey.
Additional research is underway, focusing on pork, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and other specialty segments in the US.
Downstream segments of the agri-food value chain have increasingly expanded the scope of their sustainability strategies. Climate mitigation and adaptation, water management, biodiversity, and socioeconomic stability have become more prominent in shaping corporate sustainability reporting. At the same time, US policy changes remain an unpredictable factor for sustainability, creating further uncertainty for the industry.
The producer voice is essential in defining the agri-food sector’s sustainability goals, as suppliers play a critical role in driving continuous improvement and achieving long-term objectives.
This report highlights key insights from the survey in the areas of:
As the US agriculture sector evolves alongside sustainability initiatives, farmers and ranchers will remain key stakeholders. This survey explores on-farm decision-making related to sustainability and aims to support the value chain in finding common ground on sustainability. Later phases of the survey analysis will address barriers to adopting production interventions and sector-specific insights.