Distinct worldviews determine how meat producers navigate competing sustainability priorities in the United States

Beef, pork and broiler producers face complexities in prioritizing sustainability actions. We use Q methodology to explore diverging patterns in how US producers approach sustainability priorities, even among same-species and same-scale operations, with emphasis on animal well-being and environmental stewardship. Three distinct worldviews emerged: one prioritizing animal welfare, another emphasizing holistic environmental stewardship, and a third focused on balancing business viability with other concerns. Our findings can inform strategies for aligning producer actions and consumer expectations for sustainable meat production. A sample of US producers’ worldviews on sustainable meat production fall into three categories, which can guide decision-makers towards actions with broad support and highlight those requiring more targeted efforts.