Burger King and Cow Farts: The Truth Behind the Misguided Commercial
My thoughts on the new Burger King commerical about reducing methane from cows by adding lemongrass to their diets...
Honestly, I have a mixed bag of thoughts and opinions on this. I am so glad that a large company like Burger King is taking an interest in agriculture and making an investment to help producers with our ongoing sustainability efforts!
But that commerical. Here's what I think could have been different.
They could have shared the actual research taking place and the collaboration between scientists and cattle ranchers.
They could have had shown the real cattle ranchers and the real scientists behind the new research sharing about their collaborative efforts.
They could have shared about how beef producers have already reduced emissions over the last several decades and have continued to make improvements and have set goals for the future.
It could have been an amazing commerical with real people sharing a real collaboration that brings people, farmers, scientists and consumers together.
Instead Burger King chose fear over facts. They chose to scare consumers with false information and faulty research. They chose to further the divide between farmers and consumers.
They chose the route of stereotyping farmers and farm children with a country bumkin vibe. Playing into the stereotype that farmers are country folk that aren't smart enough to make decisions regarding our cattle and our planet.
They played into fear mongering with children in gas masks because of cow "farts". Misguiding consumers on not only where methane comes from, but the role it plays in the atmosphere and in the natural carbon cycle.
Once again large companies demonizing animal agriculture.
Some questions I have for Burger King…
I have seen it reported repeatedly that Burger King's cows will be fed a new diet. I didn't know Burger King owned any cows. I am pretty sure it is the cattle ranchers taking on the added responsibility of incorporating a new diet for their cattle.
The "research" they are sharing is incomplete and unpublished. While they did work with some incredible universities and scientists on this project, it's not done yet. (You can follow many of the scientists on Twitter and see their reaction to the commercial.)
Credit to Cattle Tales
The "numbers" that Burger King is sharing in the commercial pointing to the reduction in methane are faulty. The 33% reduction of methane was only seen at the University in Mexico. UC Davis here in the United States didn't see any reduce in methane.
Instead of waiting until the research was complete, Burger King put together this commercial. A commercial that fear mongers consumers, stereotypes ranchers, and misrepresents research from scientists.
It could have been a great commercial instead we have this. And this is just disappointing.
Udderly disappointed with Burger King,
New Mexico Milkmaid