Beginning in 1991, the carbon footprint for cattle in
western Canada decreased at a more rapid rate than in eastern Canada due to the adoption of certain soil
conservation practices such as reduced tillage and reduced summerfallowing. Over the 25 year period, the
soil carbon change impact resulted in a 12% increase in the beef carbon footprint in eastern Canada and a
14% reduction in western Canada. The impact of land use change (e.g., deforestation for conversion to
agriculture) on the carbon footprint of cattle has not been included at this time because it is very difficult
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to relate the deforestation for agriculture to beef production. However, preliminary estimates indicate that
inclusion of CO2 emissions from land use change would increase the carbon footprint slightly. The impact
of grazing on soil carbon sequestration has also not been included. The net effect is expected to reduce the