How much protein could ruminants produce without crops: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{minor|Ruminants include '''cows, buffalo, goats and sheep.'''}} If ruminants were fed '''only grass''' (and not crops), how much protein could they produce globally? ==Answer== <big>About '''7 grams''' of protein per day, per person globally, '''in total''' from all milk & meat from all animals.</big> <small> * '''Side note:''' If animals were also fed crop residues (i.e. the parts that humans can't eat), this number would go up to 12 grams/day protein. * For co...") |
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* '''Side note:''' If animals were also fed [[crop residues]] (i.e. the parts that humans can't eat), this number would go up to 12 grams/day protein. | * '''Side note:''' If animals were also fed [[crop residues]] (i.e. the parts that humans can't eat), this number would go up to 12 grams/day protein. | ||
* For comparison: '''Status quo:''' Currently 16 grams/day protein ([[Code:food2.sql|10g from milk + 6g from meat]]). Much of this comes from cows that are fed '''grains (and other crops)''' that [[plant-based food| | * For comparison: '''Status quo:''' Currently 16 grams/day protein ([[Code:food2.sql|10g from milk + 6g from meat]]). Much of this comes from cows that are fed '''grains (and other crops)''' that [[plant-based food|humans could have eaten]]. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{minor| | ---- | ||
< | {{minor|Status quo for comparison:<br />Run [[Code:food2.sql]] with query''':'''}} | ||
<syntaxhighlight lang='sql'> | |||
SELECT SUM(protein_grams_per_day_per_capita) FROM summary | |||
WHERE Item="Meat, buffalo" | |||
OR Item="Meat, cattle" | |||
OR Item="Meat, goat" | |||
OR Item="Meat, sheep" | |||
OR Item LIKE "Milk%"; | |||
</syntaxhighlight> | |||
Result: <code>15.8043445906667</code> | |||
</tab> | </tab> | ||
==Transition== | ==Transition== | ||
In the above scenario, there would be '''fewer cows''' than the status quo. {{light|(Populations of other ruminants might be lower too.)}} To reach this, there is '''no''' need for mass culling; farmers would simply '''not breed as many''' animals {{ | In the above scenario, there would be '''fewer cows''' than the status quo. {{light|(Populations of other ruminants might be lower too.)}} To reach this, there is '''no''' need for mass culling; farmers would simply '''not breed as many''' animals{{x|for example, lower rates of artificial insemination until the population stabilizes. Note: The farmers who own ''grain-fed'' cattle would be the ones to reduce breeding rates, more specifically}}. For this to happen, the demand for milk & beef would need to be lower (i.e. people would eat more [[plant-based]]). | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Abolish factory farms]] | * [[Abolish factory farms]] | ||
* [[Livestock inefficiency]] | * [[Livestock inefficiency]]<!-- | ||
* [[Land]] - pastures can't get any bigger without [[deforestation|destroying natural habitats]] {{x|exception maybe: [[convert desert into pasture]]}}--> | |||
* [[Mushrooms]] - a more efficient way to convert [[crop residues]] into protein | * [[Mushrooms]] - a more efficient way to convert [[crop residues]] into protein | ||
* [[Plant-based food]] | * [[Plant-based food]] |
Latest revision as of 21:21, 29 February 2024
Ruminants include cows, buffalo, goats and sheep.
If ruminants were fed only grass (and not crops), how much protein could they produce globally?
Answer
About 7 grams of protein per day, per person globally, in total from all milk & meat from all animals.
- Side note: If animals were also fed crop residues (i.e. the parts that humans can't eat), this number would go up to 12 grams/day protein.
- For comparison: Status quo: Currently 16 grams/day protein (10g from milk + 6g from meat). Much of this comes from cows that are fed grains (and other crops) that humans could have eaten.
Click on parts of the equations for details.
Breewood, H. & Garnett, T. (2020). What is feed-food competition? (Foodsource: building blocks). Food Climate Research Network, University of Oxford.
Page 10
References primary source:
Mottet, A., de Haan, C., Falcucci, A., Tempio, G., Opio, C., & Gerber, P. (2017). Livestock: On our plates or eating at our table? A new analysis of the feed/food debate. Global Food Security.
Soybean meal is not counted here, because it can be turned into human food (soy flour).
Source:
Breewood, H. & Garnett, T. (2020). What is feed-food competition? (Foodsource: building blocks). Food Climate Research Network, University of Oxford.
Page 10
References primary source:
Mottet, A., de Haan, C., Falcucci, A., Tempio, G., Opio, C., & Gerber, P. (2017). Livestock: On our plates or eating at our table? A new analysis of the feed/food debate. Global Food Security.
Source:
Mottet, A., de Haan, C., Falcucci, A., Tempio, G., Opio, C., & Gerber, P. (2017). Livestock: On our plates or eating at our table? A new analysis of the feed/food debate. Global Food Security.
The number is mentioned in the Abstract: https://www.tabledebates.org/research-library/livestock-our-plates-or-eating-our-table
If ruminants were fed only grass (calculation loading)
If ruminants were fed grass and crop residues (calculation loading)
Status quo for comparison:
Run Code:food2.sql with query:
SELECT SUM(protein_grams_per_day_per_capita) FROM summary
WHERE Item="Meat, buffalo"
OR Item="Meat, cattle"
OR Item="Meat, goat"
OR Item="Meat, sheep"
OR Item LIKE "Milk%";
Result: 15.8043445906667
Transition
In the above scenario, there would be fewer cows than the status quo. (Populations of other ruminants might be lower too.) To reach this, there is no need for mass culling; farmers would simply not breed as many animals
See also
- Abolish factory farms
- Livestock inefficiency
- Mushrooms - a more efficient way to convert crop residues into protein
- Plant-based food