There's many trains of thought on this, Crop rotation is very important, there's a whole growing cycle that if used correctly increases soil fertility year on year.
In new Zealand, we typically just feed our animals grass, with perhaps additional fodder such as corn waste or some of the root crops grown and market garden type foods such as squash, tomatoes, radishes. we also don't shelter our stock as in keep them in barns etc, they all live out side, there's been some research about this and it all points to animals grown outside are healthier than there indoor compatriots. there's a lot of research also in to stock shock, and exposure to the elements, I really feel sorry for the poor cattle out in the fields in the us with out so much as a tree to shelter them from the sun and wind. NZ has spent allot of time on soil and pasture research as its one the basis of our major exports in fact www.fonterra.com our major dairy company has carries allot of global weight with its products. have a look at http://www.fonterra.com/content/dairyingnz/linksresources/default.jsp for additional resources. its not possible for every country to use all the same practices as us, but the ones they do pick up, could be very rewarding in regards to organics its not impossible to grow organically, its a different set of rules, and requires more understanding of your local conditions, i.e. soil type, nutrient levels and such things as companion planting, you may not be able to go totally organic, but you can definitely cut back on broadcast spraying and dropping the levels of all your inputs needed. Cheers, Bede -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ken Dunn Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 12:25 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org; Keith Addison Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Pimentel is at it again Keith Addison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: > Meat is most certainly a sustainable food source. More than that, > there is no sustainable way to maintain and renew soil fertility for > crop growth without raising animals too. Nature never attempts it, > and Man's attempts are doomed to failure - indeed, they are failing. > Removing the animals would inevitably mean increased reliance on > industrialised agriculture for crop production, and especially on > fossil-fuels and chemical fertilisers, and therefore on pesticides > too. Wall-to-wall GMOs, in the face of soaring oil costs, hm. Keith, Perhaps I overstated my case and simultaneously was not clear. But, you covered it for me anyway. You are correct, meat as a food source is viable but, I don't think that will continue to be as much of staple like it has been in the U.S. for the last few decades. Furthermore, I don't think that it could have been a staple to the degree that it has been if such a large portion of the world wasn't already somewhere between near-vegetarian and vegan. 6 billion people eating factory raised beef for 2 meals a day would take its toll on the environment pretty fast. You are correct, livestock definitely help us tend the soil but, that doesn't mean that you have to eat the animal for it to be beneficial to you. You could just as easily raise sheep for wool and still have livestock as a dual purpose barnyard companion. And again, have the added benefit of the meat when the sheep has become too old for shearing. Likewise, grazing work horses would provide even better nutrients to the soil if I understand correctly. Back to the original point though, corporate agrobusiness approach to meat farming means that the animal waste is nothing more than a toxic with which to pollute our streams. That same waste is not being used to fertilize the soil. The inputs and outputs of factory farming make that approach to a meat-centric diet unsustainable. Personally, I'd rather see the inputs going to raise grains or vegetables to help the parts of the world that are struggling to provide enough food for themselves right now. > But organic farming can't feed everybody? I reckon it's the only > thing that can, and it's spreading like a weed. But the crazed food > distribution system will have to go, along with its billions of > wasted "food miles", and the corporate grip on it all will have to go > too. For what its worth, I never said anything to the affect that organic farming couldn't feed everyone. In fact, I buy as much *local* *organic* fruits and vegetables as I can get a hold of. I certainly try to promote buying local as much as I can. One more thought, there are *very few* streams here Lancaster County Pennsylvania that I would consider swimming in or eating fish from. This is primarily due to the incredible amount of dairy cattle waste that finds its way into the water every day. That waste is coming directly from the source. Take care, Ken _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
