What are our Successes?: Environmental Enterprise

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Environmental Enterprise:

"I love life. I love the planet. I hate to be a prophet of doom. There’s no reason to be hopeless. We can turn this thing around. We must start now. This is the generation that has to do it."

-Ted Turner-



        Businessman and TV mogul Ted Turner has invested quite a lot of his money in farming American bison. Although not as popular to farm as steer, bison are much better for the land. Their meat is also healthier than beef. Ted Turner, who is the founder of CNN, owns roughly 45,000 head of bison, which is more than any other person or government in the world. The bison live on property in 12 of the United States, and some are farmed in Argentina. Not long ago, Turner opened his own restaurant chain called Ted's Montana Grill. Their selections include bison burgers and other sandwiches. This is a good use for his bison meat. Bison may not be able to replace regular beef, but they are a good animal to farm because they can survive in dry climates and do not destroy pasture land the way American beef cattle do.



        In Africa, the people have attempted to farm with imported beef cattle. This type of cattle is hard on the land, especially in areas that tend to not get enough water. Entrepreneurs in Africa have turned to ranching animals that are native to Africa, such as Ankole cattle. These animals are considered to be very hardy, and they can live in conditions that have a small amount of water and sparse grass. They also have large ears which help them lose excess heat. It is much better for the environment when countries farm animals that are native to that country. The entrepreneurs in Africa and people like Ted Turner have put their resources to good use in an effort to help preserve this earth.

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Sources:

“Ankole”. Cattle today. Accessed 9 March 2008. <http://cattle-today.com/Ankole.htm>

Gingrich, Newt, and Terry L. Maple. A Contract with the Earth. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2007. Accessed 9 March 2008.

“Ranches”. Turner Enterprises Inc. Accessed 9 March 2008. <http://www.tedturner.com/enterprises/ranches.asp>

Photograph 1:

Tambako the Jaguar. “Mother bison and calf”. Flickr.com. 26 June 2007. Accessed 9 March 2008. <http://flickr.com/photos/tambako/634242292/>

Photograph 2:

Ginger me. “Ankole Cattle”. Flickr.com. September 2007. Accessed 9 March 2008. <http://flickr.com/photos/rednut/1417952104/>