Lou,
>Multiply this baneful pattern across the world. Meanwhile, the classic
>pastoralists, who have historically provided most of the meat in Africa
>with grazing systems closely adapted to varying environments, are being
>marginalized. Grain-based livestock production inexorably leads to larger
>and larger units and economies of scale.
>
>(From the "Beat the Devil" column in the April 22, 1996 Nation magazine)
I would hesitate before admiring the sustainability of African grazing
systems. The Sahara is yearly expanding because of the goat herds which I
myself have observed leaping from scrawny thorn bush to scrawny thornbush
in search of forage. And in southern Africa the cattle herds appear to be
typically underfed, which means they're denuding the landscape.
not to be taken in by Coburn romantics,
Joanna
www.overlookhouse.com
