McDonalds Sparks a Regenerative Grazing Revolution

A $200M McDonalds initiative drives large scale regenerative grazing and boosts resilience across the US beef supply chain

17 Nov 2025

McDonald’s USA has committed more than $200mn to expand regenerative grazing practices across the country, marking one of the largest corporate efforts to change how US beef is produced. The investment aims to support ranchers adopting grazing methods intended to restore grasslands and improve long-term land productivity.

The programme is built around a new alliance with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, alongside supply chain partners including Cargill and Golden State Foods. The groups plan to assist ranchers in restoring soil and improving pasture conditions, with the initiative expected to reach as many as 4mn acres across up to 38 states.

A McDonald’s USA representative said ranchers require predictable backing to adopt new systems, arguing that short funding cycles make it difficult to secure the company’s beef supply amid increasing weather volatility. Leaders at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation said long-term commitments give producers confidence to adopt practices that support ecosystems while maintaining farm income.

The investment arrives as climate pressures reshape supply strategies for food companies. Prolonged drought and deteriorating soil health have pushed large buyers to examine how land management influences both environmental risk and procurement costs. Analysts say the scale of McDonald’s programme could influence how other groups assess stewardship standards in future contracts.

The approach also shifts attention from output metrics toward land condition, raising the prospect of new expectations for responsible beef production. Industry specialists note that results will vary by region and that broader changes in feed systems and emissions control remain necessary to meet climate goals.

Even so, they view the blend of corporate funding, conservation expertise and producer knowledge as a notable step in a sector where change is often slow. Few corporate-led grazing projects have attempted work at comparable scale.

As the rollout begins, ranchers, policymakers and global food companies are monitoring progress. Outcomes from the early phase are expected to shape whether similar models can be adopted nationwide, linking ecological recovery more closely with the economics of beef production.