Agri Sustainability

CHICAGO, USA — McDonald’s Corporation has announced a $200 million investment over five years to expand regenerative grazing and land-stewardship practices across its U.S. beef supply chain. The initiative is designed to strengthen soil health, improve water retention, and enhance long-term resilience for ranching communities that supply cattle to the quick-service restaurant’s network.

Program Objectives
The funding will support ranchers in adopting rotational and adaptive grazing systems that allow pastures to rest and regrow, boosting forage productivity and soil carbon storage. The plan also includes monitoring programs for soil organic matter, biodiversity, and water infiltration rates—key metrics used to track regenerative outcomes.

Implementation Partners
McDonald’s will collaborate with universities, conservation groups, and ranching associations to deliver technical training and cost-share support. Pilot ranches will serve as regional demonstration sites where producers can compare performance data and management systems under real-world conditions.

Ranch-Level Benefits

• Improved pasture resilience to drought and heavy rainfall events.
• Reduced reliance on purchased feed and synthetic inputs.
• Enhanced forage diversity and carbon sequestration capacity.
• New data streams that help document environmental performance for customers and regulators.

Corporate Context
The program is part of McDonald’s “Sustainable Agriculture Flagship Projects” portfolio and aligns with its global Net Zero by 2050 ambition. The company already co-funds similar beef and grazing collaborations in Canada, Australia, and Latin America. According to company statements, the focus in the U.S. will be on region-specific, voluntary participation models that respect existing grazing traditions while helping quantify ecosystem outcomes.

Why Regenerative Grazing Matters
Managed grazing mimics natural herd movement—allowing grasslands to recover, store carbon, and build biodiversity. Research suggests these systems can improve both environmental and economic resilience, particularly in mixed-rainfall regions of the Great Plains and Southwest.

Outlook
Over time, McDonald’s and its partners intend to publish aggregated learnings from the project to support open-source measurement frameworks for beef sustainability. The company hopes the initiative will encourage wider adoption of regenerative practices across the livestock sector.

Disclaimer:
This article summarizes publicly available sustainability announcements from McDonald’s Corporation and industry partners. It is intended solely for educational and journalistic purposes and does not constitute corporate communication or investment guidance. For verified information, visit McDonald’s Sustainability Hub.