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Cos can be grass fed. Most of the beef I have ever eaten is predominantly grass fed. In many places cows are a natural part of the ecosystem. So much so that i

Cos can be grass fed. Most of the beef I have ever eaten is predominantly grass fed. In many places cows are a natural part of the ecosystem. So much so that in rewilding parts of Scotland they have ended up releasing cattle into the wild. Its perfectly possible for grass plus grazing animals to be carbon sink, and a provide a rich ecosystem.

SoftTalker 1y ago
Do grass fed cows produce less methane than corn/grain fed cows
- ac29 1y ago
  More, per the below lifecycle assesment study: "There was little variability between production scenarios except for the grassfed, where the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 37% higher due to a longer finishing time and lower finishing weight" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24216416/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24216416/
  - graemep 1y ago
    It goes on to say: "However, reductions to GHG emissions (15-24%) were realized when soil organic carbon accrual was considered"
stinos 1y ago
cows are a natural part of the ecosystem Sure large herbivores were and still are part of many ecosystems. But around where I live the majority of the grass for the grass-fed cows doesn't come from anything remotely resembling a rich ecosystem. The grass is literally 'grass': maybe one or 2 types of grass, similar amount of herbs, funghi. Hardly any insects except for flies attracted to manure. These used to be ecosystems with > 20 species of grassses and herbs per square meter. And these are even relatively small farms; trying to upscale it beyond that to make it possible for millions of humans to eat meat multiple times a week, it won't get any better. If you're putting large amounts of cows in a much much smaller habitat then what they'd naturally use, then it's not the same ecosystem anymore. Its perfectly possible for grass plus grazing animals to be carbon sink, and a provide a rich ecosystem. tldr; yes, but only if you want to feed a couple of people from it.

SoftTalker 1y ago

Do grass fed cows produce less methane than corn/grain fed cows

ac29 1y ago
More, per the below lifecycle assesment study: "There was little variability between production scenarios except for the grassfed, where the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 37% higher due to a longer finishing time and lower finishing weight" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24216416/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24216416/
- graemep 1y ago
  It goes on to say: "However, reductions to GHG emissions (15-24%) were realized when soil organic carbon accrual was considered"

stinos 1y ago

cows are a natural part of the ecosystem Sure large herbivores were and still are part of many ecosystems. But around where I live the majority of the grass for the grass-fed cows doesn't come from anything remotely resembling a rich ecosystem. The grass is literally 'grass': maybe one or 2 types of grass, similar amount of herbs, funghi. Hardly any insects except for flies attracted to manure. These used to be ecosystems with > 20 species of grassses and herbs per square meter. And these are even relatively small farms; trying to upscale it beyond that to make it possible for millions of humans to eat meat multiple times a week, it won't get any better. If you're putting large amounts of cows in a much much smaller habitat then what they'd naturally use, then it's not the same ecosystem anymore. Its perfectly possible for grass plus grazing animals to be carbon sink, and a provide a rich ecosystem. tldr; yes, but only if you want to feed a couple of people from it.