McDonald’s Backs Grasslands Push Across US Beef Belt

Fast-food group joins federal agencies to expand regenerative grazing on millions of acres

16 Dec 2025

McDonald’s is expanding its use of regenerative farming practices across the US beef supply chain, backing a national grasslands programme that could cover up to four million acres in as many as 38 states.

The fast-food group has partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to scale up grazing and land management methods aimed at improving soil health and water retention on working ranches.

The initiative marks a shift away from small pilot schemes towards a broader effort to influence how cattle country is managed, as ranchers face rising pressure from drought, flooding and tighter margins.

Regenerative agriculture, as applied to grasslands, focuses on managed grazing that allows grasses time to recover, keeping soil covered and protecting streams and wetlands. Advocates say these practices can help soils store more carbon and moisture, improving resilience to extreme weather while supporting stable production.

McDonald’s has pledged up to $200mn towards climate-smart and regenerative agriculture across its global supply chain, with the grasslands programme positioned as a central element. The foundation oversees funding and project coordination, while the USDA provides technical support and links the work to existing federal conservation schemes.

That structure is designed to lower the financial risk for ranchers, many of whom lack the capital to change land management practices without outside support.

Other companies are also involved. Cargill is helping to implement the programme within the beef supply chain and to develop systems to measure outcomes, connecting changes on ranches to sourcing decisions. Coca-Cola has joined as a funding partner, reflecting growing concern over water security across food and beverage industries.

Despite the scale of the effort, challenges remain. Measuring environmental results consistently across millions of acres is difficult, and there is no single definition of what qualifies as “regenerative” farming.

Even so, the programme signals a broader shift in corporate strategy. Rather than waiting for regulation, large food buyers are investing directly in land management to protect supply chains and rural livelihoods over the long term.

For the US food industry, the move highlights how regenerative practices are becoming part of mainstream agriculture, with large brands seeking to shape standards before they are set elsewhere.