In contrast, grazing ruminants such as cattle produce food and require fewer entries into the fields with tractors and other equipment. In grazed pastures, according to Davis, less wildlife is lost to the mower blades, and more find stable habitat in untilled fields. And no-till agriculture also helps stabilize soil and reduce run-off into streams.
The factoid about "x pounds of vegetable matter are required to produce one pound of meat" has always struck me as somewhat inaccurate. At least where I grew up, there's not such a clearcut tradeoff. Most livestock live on land that wouldn't be able to produce edible crops for humans.
Furthermore, I'd point out that "x pounds of vegetable matter are required to produce one pound of grain." Raising corn, wheat, rice, or any other cereal is inherently wasteful -- these are grasses after all, and seeds are only a small fraction of what they produce. Most of the rest of that.... stalks, husks, chaff, and whatnot.... is waste, or else it goes for animal feed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2004-03-21 02:22 pm (UTC)In contrast, grazing ruminants such as cattle produce food and require fewer entries into the fields with tractors and other equipment. In grazed pastures, according to Davis, less wildlife is lost to the mower blades, and more find stable habitat in untilled fields. And no-till agriculture also helps stabilize soil and reduce run-off into streams.
The factoid about "x pounds of vegetable matter are required to produce one pound of meat" has always struck me as somewhat inaccurate. At least where I grew up, there's not such a clearcut tradeoff. Most livestock live on land that wouldn't be able to produce edible crops for humans.
Furthermore, I'd point out that "x pounds of vegetable matter are required to produce one pound of grain." Raising corn, wheat, rice, or any other cereal is inherently wasteful -- these are grasses after all, and seeds are only a small fraction of what they produce. Most of the rest of that.... stalks, husks, chaff, and whatnot.... is waste, or else it goes for animal feed.