Manure
Manure can be an advantage and disadvantage for the beef industry. On the one hand, manure smells strongly and has the potential to carry disease and pollute. On the other hand, manure can revitalize land as a fertilizer.
Expense
Similar to other farmers and ranchers, those in the beef industry have overhead expenses to cover. These include but are not limited to immunizations; utilities and repair for cattle and storage buildings; feed and water; transporting milk and animals; veterinary care and breeding or artificial insemination. This can add up to thousands of dollars per year.
Animal Rights
Unlike those who raise crops, those in the beef production industry have to deal with allegations and protests by animal rights advocates. This can be time consuming and costly, and even you eventually show you are following the law and treating your animals as humanely as possible, advocates still can tarnish your reputation.
Immediate Use
Crops like wheat and corn have a much better shelf life than beef -- they can be made into items such as flour that can be stored and frozen. In the beef industry, the product has to be sold quickly after the slaughterhouse receives the animal because it will spoil. Freezing helps somewhat, but after several months, the meat can become freezer-burned and lose its appeal.
Plant and Water Control
A major advantage the beef industry has is that, instead of creating new plants that can decrease the diversity of the ecosystem and increase fire hazards, beef cattle, when allowed to graze freely, keep plant numbers under control. Irrigation systems also can divert water away from areas plagued by floods. At the same time, ranches provide enough open land to support other wildlife like birds and rabbits. This helps stabilize the ecosystem.
Energy Conversion
One advantage of the beef industry is the ability of cattle to convert energy for people. Cattle can eat plants and grasses people normally could not digest and use. By producing beef, people have a way to tap otherwise unusable energy, vitamins and minerals.
Weather
Crop farmers are dependent on good weather to make a profit. If cattle ranchers get into bad weather, they can move their asset and product to a safe place until the weather changes. This can minimize loss. Similarly, beef manufacturers can operate year-round, whereas crop farmers must adopt a seasonal schedule.
