Beginning in 2021 and through 2023, Elanco will invest $50,000 annually with Ducks Unlimited to help purchase grass seed to support reseeding efforts on working lands in western Kansas.
The grassland restoration initiative is part of the existing SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement) project. The SAFE project is an existing collaboration between the USDA Farm Service Agency and Ducks Unlimited with the goal of restoring grasslands and protecting embedded playa wetlands in western Kansas. With Elanco’s contribution, it is estimated at least 1,000 acres will be reseeded through the duration of this partnership.
“Elanco’s partnership with Ducks Unlimited further elevates the critical role healthy animals play in supporting a healthy environment,” said Jeff Simmons, Elanco president and CEO.
“Farmers and ranchers were the first land stewards — hardworking men and women who understood the synergy between wildlife habitat and working lands,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “The continent’s migratory waterfowl — and Ducks Unlimited’s core mission — rely on healthy grasslands and intermittent wetlands that have long-supported grazing. Our partnership represents the strong bond between conservation and agriculture across North America.”
This partnership is being announced alongside Elanco’s launch of Experior, the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved product labelled to reduce ammonia gas emissions from an animal or its waste.
“Elanco and Ducks Unlimited both understand that beef cattle play a significant role in grassland management,” said Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer at Elanco. “The beef cattle industry has made great strides in advancing its environmental stewardship to-date, and we are dedicated to working with beef producers and industry leaders to continue these advancements. This partnership is one example of that commitment at work.”
Those interested in supporting these efforts can consider contributing to the SAFE program through Ducks Unlimited. To learn more about this partnership, please visit the Elanco Health Purpose website.
