Hi to all,,
I'm interested in this thread of discussion. I should let you know that we
(Food Secure Saskatchewan) are planning a provincial conference on Food
Security in which a workshop on grass-fed beef or red meat production could
be a highlight. Out tentative dates are October 2nd and 3rd. We are looking
at a wide range of workshop themes promiting the local food systems. The
event, at this point, loks like it will be located in Moose Jaw.
(Alternately it may be in Regina but this will be decided before the end of
March.)
If we can include a workshop on sustainable red meat productin we would be
very interested.
Don Mitchell
for Food Secure Saskatchewan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Freeman" <jason@farmerdirect.coop>
To: "Nettie Wiebe" <nettie.wiebe@usask.ca>; "Local Food Directory Project"
<lofo@cs.uregina.ca>
Cc: "Local Food Directory Project" <lofo@cs.uregina.ca>
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 6:54 PM
Subject: RE: [lofo List] Dubious 'Scientific' Study Grass Fed versus Grain
Fed Livestock
> In my thinking the goal would be to connect members of the public with
> the farmers...so direct sales for the farmers and consumer education
> would be the major goals of the event.
>
> If the end of October works for everybody by that time local sustainable
> food should be red-hot, judging by all the media concerning local food
> and the state of the world economy. So, perhaps we could see 500 or more
> people who are serious about purchasing local and sustainable meat come
> to this event.
>
> People are in to it, they want to meet the farmers.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nettie Wiebe [mailto:nettie.wiebe@usask.ca]
> Sent: March 6, 2009 11:52 AM
> To: Local Food Directory Project; Jason Freeman
> Cc: Local Food Directory Project
> Subject: Re: [lofo List] Dubious 'Scientific' Study Grass Fed versus
> Grain Fed Livestock
>
> Thanks for your input, Jason. As a small cow-calf organic beef
> operation, we would be interested in the kind of workshop you are
> proposing - at least if it is organized during a season when we can take
> time away from the farm.
> Nettie Wiebe
>
> Quoting Jason Freeman <jason@farmerdirect.coop>:
>
>> Hi Darryl,
>>
>> 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
>> ----
>> The Local Food Directory Project Mailing List lofo@cs.uregina.ca
>>
>>
>
>
>
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> lofo@cs.uregina.ca
>
>
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