UIB 2025 Sustainability Annual Report

Sustainability Report 2025 cover with sun and clouds in the sky, Upper Iowa Beef text visible.

A Message from Our General Manager

Sustainability sits at the heart of everything we do at Upper Iowa Beef. As General Manager, I see every day how responsible beef production strengthens not only our business but also the land, the animals, and the communities we serve.

Our commitment to sustainability isn’t a trend or a talking point—it’s a long-term promise to operate with integrity and stewardship.

By focusing on efficient resource use, supporting local family farms, and continually improving our environmental practices, we help ensure that high-quality beef can be produced in a way that respects our natural resources. This work is ongoing, and it requires collaboration across the entire supply chain. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and even more excited about the innovations ahead.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we build a stronger, more sustainable future for Iowa agriculture.

Our Sustainability Story

In 2022, Upper Iowa Beef began our commitment to transparently sharing our approach to sustainable beef production. Our strategy was to lead the industry in showcasing the Iowa and Midwest cattlemen’s sustainability story through a personal connection with our producers. This was accomplished through farm visits, meetings, and one-on-one conversations to gain knowledge and understanding of the many different individual farming practices used to sustain these family businesses. This close communication and partnership with our producers has enabled UIB to share the complete sustainability story.

Since 2022, UIB has expanded both our operational capacity and our network of dedicated cattle suppliers, distributors, customers, and consumers. As our reach continues to grow, our core purpose remains unchanged: communicating how the cattle we harvest are responsibly raised in the Upper Midwest.

Our region’s sustainability advantages stem from efficient farming practices ingrained in area farmers through generations of land ownership. Using local resources such as land and crops is a way of life in the area. Cattle diets rely on home-grown feeds, supplemented by locally manufactured by-products such as distillers’ grains. Manure is a valuable nutrient resource and is returned directly to the land to support crop growth, creating a closed-loop system.

Through consistent engagement with our suppliers, we continue to gain knowledge and understanding of their stewardship practices. Their commitment to land, livestock, and excellent animal care directly supports the high-quality beef we provide.

Inside our facility, sustainability is infused into each step of our supply chain. We aim to be a reliable partner to our suppliers, our employees, our community, and our customers by proactively evaluating our environmental impact, identifying opportunities to further reduce our environmental footprint, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Bergin Koch, FSQA Superintendent, Upper Iowa Beef

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