The Minnesota State Cattlemen Association has joined the ranks of a climate policy organization to be part of the discussion regarding climate and environmental issues.  Rural Investment to Protect our Environment or RIPE is an organization that is a producer-led nonprofit advancing a groundbreaking, bipartisan climate policy plan that works for producers and the public.  Mark Pankonin is the president-elect for the Minnesota State Cattlemen Association and says the cattle organization wanted to have a voice when discussions involved the environment.

Through payments of $100 per acre or animal unit, the RIPE100 plan would reward producers for the total public value of their conservation practices, including rotational grazing, manure management, feed management, no-till and cover crops. In addition to greenhouse gas reduction, the voluntary federal program would pay for improved soil health, cleaner water, greater biodiversity and other environmental services.

The cattlemen’s official says the mission is to create and maintain an economic and political environment that provides members the opportunity to sustain and grow the Minnesota cattle industry.