Zero food-feed competition: Difference between revisions
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In other words, globally most cows are ''already'' fed mostly non-human-edible matter, but beef and dairy production are fairly low. | In other words, globally most cows are ''already'' fed mostly non-human-edible matter, but beef and dairy production are fairly low. | ||
<!-- TODO: | Chicken and pig consumption is moderate, but even this level requires [[:File:food-funnel.png|36% of human-edible calories to be fed to animals]]. | ||
<!-- Just think how much higher this would be if the whole world ate as much animal protein as the average "first world" citizen. --> | |||
<!-- TODO: uncomment the above line after adding data about how much animal protein is eaten in particular countries. | |||
There are a few ways it could be presented: | |||
* isochromic world map: population, animal protein consumption, crop land, pasture land. But since we can't fit 4 things perfectly, we have to decide how to compromise. | |||
* Add code to [[Code:food2.sql]] to calculate "total protein from ruminants" and "total protein from other animals", globally and also by region. | |||
** If we don't want to list too many regions, could just do a general 'OECD aggregate'. Not sure how practical this is with the input data tho. | |||
** If we're already using [[Code:food2.sql]], might as well also have it replace the inline calculations for status quo. | |||
*** Although isn't it nicer to have specific stats for cows, chickens, pigs? | |||
**** How about just write "total protein from ruminants (cows, sheep, goats, buffalo)" and "total protein from non-ruminants (chickens, pigs, etc)"? | |||
Should there also be some mention of [[fish]]? Should we just declare that it's (currently?) not in the scope of the analysis? | |||
--> | |||
<!-- btw, should we fit this in somewhere: | |||
: how do some countries manage to eat more beef/dairy: | |||
: * either by already having a lot of pasture land (i.e. australia) | |||
: * or by destroying wildlife to make new pasture (i.e. brazil) | |||
: * or by growing enormous amounts of corn and soy, which could have been fed to humans instead (i.e. usa and also brazil) | |||
--> | --> |
Latest revision as of 06:41, 12 November 2022
Cows, goats and sheep can digest fibre and use it as calories.
These animals can thus eat a few things that don't compete with food production:
- Crop residues (also known as biomass waste) which are the fibrous leftover parts of food crops we have to grow anyway.
- Grass from pasture lands.
This feed can't be eaten by humans, chickens, or pigs.
The big question is: How much animal protein could be produced if these were the only sources of animal feed?
A simple estimate:
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:
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
^ Total amount of protein from both meat and dairy, combined. (calculation loading)
There would be no animal protein from chickens, pigs, or any other non-ruminant animals.
Also, there would be even less animal protein available if we rewilded some crop land
For comparison, status quo:
Protein from cows:
Source: Crop and livestock products - FAOSTAT
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [1]
Source: Crop and livestock products - FAOSTAT
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [2]
Using database food named "Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, without added vitamin A and vitamin D"
Using database food named "Beef, grass-fed, ground, raw" because (even though not all beef is grassfed) it was the only database entry that wasn't a specific cut of beef.
(calculation loading)
Protein from chickens:
Source: Crop and livestock products - FAOSTAT
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [3]
Source: Crop and livestock products - FAOSTAT
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [4]
Using database food named "Chicken, broilers or fryers, meat and skin and giblets and neck, raw"
Using database food named "Egg, whole, raw, fresh"
(calculation loading)
Protein from pigs:
Source: Crop and livestock products - FAOSTAT
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [5]
Using database food named "Pork, fresh, ground, raw"
(calculation loading)
In other words, globally most cows are already fed mostly non-human-edible matter, but beef and dairy production are fairly low.
Chicken and pig consumption is moderate, but even this level requires 36% of human-edible calories to be fed to animals.