Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
emission reductions attributable to the vegan diet directly. The
point isn't that vegan diets are not better for the planet, but
that one should consider one's entire carbon footprint, not just
that related to food.
The impact of one's diet even depends on where one is
located. Those located close to fertile land, where fruits and
vegetables can be produced in ample quantities, may be able to
lower their footprint by eating a vegan diet. On the other hand,
an omnivorous diet with moderate amounts of meat emits the
least carbon in areas with poor soil, where grass for livestock
may be the only good use for the land. Why? Because efficient
food production requires putting agricultural lands to their
best use. It is best to grow tomatoes in Southern California and
beef in Montana.
How Do Beef, Pork, Eggs, and Poultry Compare?
Hogs and birds in livestock production can convert feed to
meat more efficiently than cattle. They also reproduce faster.
Cattle grow and reproduce slower, and, being ruminants, emit
greenhouse gases as they burp. For these reasons the carbon
footprint for beef is about three times the size of pork and tur-
key, four times the size of chicken, and six times the size of
eggs (all on a per-pound basis). The magnitudes differ across
studies but there is little debate that beef has the largest foot-
print, followed by pork, then chicken, then eggs.
Should We Feed Cows Grass or Corn?
Readers may have seen the label “grass-fed” beef at specialty
stores or farmers markets. This is a certified USDA label that
beef producers can earn so long as they feed cattle only for-
age (grass and hay) throughout cattle's life and always provide
them access to pasture during the growing season. The label
may be slightly misleading, as all cattle spend a large part of
their lives on pasture, even if they are not sold as grass-fed
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