Hi Daryl,
I'm a little concerned with the thread regarding the supposed GHG
benefits of grain versus grass fed livestock.
The article did not go into enough detail regarding how the
'scientists'
derived the volume of methane produced between
Grass and grain fed cattle. It appeared they simply derived volume
based
on a calorie per calorie basis.
A study last year pointed out that lamb raised in New Zealand but
consumed in the UK represented less GHG than lamb raised and
consumed in the UK. The main reason was that the New Zealand lamb was
raised and finished on grass and the UK on grain.
Mammals, including ourselves, tend not to emit that much methane
when we
eat a diet consistent with our physiology...meaning we fart
and burp less. Cows are no different. It is extremely dubious to claim
that cows designed to eat grass actually contribute to GHG versus
grain fed cattle especially in feed lots where you have all sorts of
health problems such as acidosis.
The proper management of manure and pasture actually increases the
farms
soil organic matter and therefore one should see a net reduction of
GHG
from
a properly managed grass fed operation. I would absolutely agree that
multi-species livestock management is the way to go but this needs the
development of a local food system to make it financially sustainable.
Of course over grazing damages pastures but the whole point is to
manage
your farm properly.
I believe grain fed can also reduce GHG by increasing soil organic
matter if the feeding is done on an organic farm from grain grown on
the
farm with proper manure and pasture management. This is my
experience at
farmer direct which needs to be further quantified. A hybrid of
grass/grain may end up being the most efficient way for an organic
family farm, on the prairies, to utilize all of their resources to
achieve economic sustainability given various market and weather
fluctuations. For example, if you have a mixed operation, growing
grain
and raising grass-fed cattle, but your crop ends up being feed quality
and the feed market price is unprofitable...what do you do, because
you
are a grass operation you can't feed the grain to your cattle.
So you other option is to hold over the grain until the feed markets
increase which then puts you in a speculative position.
Maybe its time for a one day symposium regarding a local organic meat
system up at the University. There is a lot of really exciting
activity
going on in Saskatchewan with people like Mark, Clear Creek, Keith Neu
and a number of other groups who are raising organic livestock for
sale
in local/Sask markets. The farmers could share their visions on what
constitutes healthy and sustainable livestock production and sale and
where they want to head in the future. The goal would be to attract as
many members of the public as possible so we can make the links to
build
this market.
Just some thoughts.
Best Regards,
Jason
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