LCB USDA PVP
The only
Certification
Based on Net GHG Emissions
Low Carbon Technologies' (LCT) Process Verified Program (PVP) certification is the first-of-its-kind. Based on a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA), the PVP allows for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) verification that cattle, and ultimately their end products, were produced with reduced emissions.
Program Overview
Beef cattle qualify for PVP certification if they demonstrate at least a 10% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions below the U.S. industry baseline. We certify both grain- and grass-fed cattle using a proprietary scoring system that includes criteria from three categories: fertilizer, feed and function. LCT serves as the verification body, ensuring operational and cattle compliance.
Our Process
We work with family farms, ranches, feedyards and beef packers to quantify the emissions of individual cattle using the LCA. Information and data are gathered throughout the duration of the animal's lifespan to calculate their emissions score and ensure certification compliance within 60 days of harvest. Along with providing records and receipts required for evaluation, producers must participate in an onsite audit to verify operational management practices. A scoring assessment will be completed by LCT for each certification.
Our proprietary scoring system includes criteria for the following categories:
Fertilizer
Manure Management Practices
Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer Use
Feed
Dietary Fat Content
Anti-Methane Feed Additives
Feed Efficiency Supplements
Function
Cattle Feed Efficiency
Mature Cow Weights
Beef Production Yield
Production Pathways
There are four production pathways producers can enroll their cattle under. Candidates must be source and age verified (SAV).
- Backgrounding Pathway: beef cattle that are born and raised on a cow-calf operation until weaning, are backgrounded on forage after weaning and finished at a feedlot.
- Direct-Entry-to-Feedlot Pathway: beef cattle that are born and raised on a cow-calf operation until weaning and finished at a feedlot.
- Grass-Fed Pathway*: beef cattle that are born and raised at a cow-calf operation until weaning, raised on forage after weaning and finished on forage.
- Dairy-Beef Pathway: cattle born from dairy cows raised at a calf ranch until weaning and finished at a feedlot.
*LCT’s classification for grass-fed is consistent with the definition provided by the USDA Food, Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Process Overview
Submit a program inquiry to LCT and identify candidate cattle.
LCT will work with producers to complete a confidential questionnaire on operation practices.
LCT will collect the required documents and receipts required for evaluation.
LCT will analyze the numbers to determine cattle qualification and conduct an onsite audit to verify management practices.
Approved certification! Producers will receive a certificate of enrollment for qualifying cattle.
Scoring
Cattle within 60 days of harvest must score greater than 10 to qualify for the USDA PVP. Partaking in the optional segments may aid in helping cattle qualify. Generally, positive scores result from reducing emissions or increasing beef yield. If optional criteria are not applicable nor applied for, the candidate animal will receive a score of 0 for that section.
Listed are 10 of the 20 criteria on which cattle are scored.
| Criteria | Score | Notes/Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Production Pathway Score | Producer Affidavit | |
| 2. Cow-Calf Manure Management - Not Applicable | None | |
| 3. Backgrounding Manure Management - Not Applicable | None | |
| 4. Finishing Manure Management | Onsite Verification | |
| 5. Cow-Calf Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer | Producer Records/Receipts | |
| 6. Backgrounding Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer | Producer Records/Receipts | |
| 7. Finishing Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer | Producer Records/Receipts | |
| 8. Cow-Calf Fat in Diet - Optional | Producer Records/Receipts | |
| 9. Backgrounding Fat in Diet - Optional | Producer Records/Receipts | |
| 10. Finishing Fat in Diet - Optional | Producer Records/Receipts |
Maximize your bottom line and cater to market trends by sourcing and processing Low Carbon Beef. Utilizing industry-leading scientific methodologies and calculations, surpass the expectations of distributors and retailers seeking to enrich their premium product portfolios. We currently have beef procurement and Low Carbon Beef labeling options available.
Signal to today's discerning consumers that the high-quality beef products you offer were also raised with environmentally conscious production methods. Expanding your premium product offerings with our USDA-backed seal will create valuable marketplace distinction and offer the opportunity to meet social responsibility initiatives. LCT can help connect you to a Low Carbon Beef producer or processor.
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Take the first step towards enhancing the value of your cattle or their products today!
PATENT NOTICE
Some of the products and services discussed or offered on the Website may be covered by one or more patents and/or are subject to trade secrets and other proprietary rights, whether owned by the Company, its affiliates, or a third party. This includes the Company’s proprietary Life Cycle Assessment program and system for PVP certification, which is protected by U.S. Patent No. 11,209,419 and other pending patent applications. Nothing on the Website, including these Terms of Use, shall be construed as granting any right or license under such patents, patent applications, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights owned by the Company or its affiliates.