Jeanne - Simme Valley
Well-known member
Report details environmental, land-use benefits of growth hormones in beef
By Ann Bagel Storck on 11/27/2007 for Meatingplace.com
Cattle raised on grain-based diets in feedlots using both natural and synthetic supplemental growth hormones produce 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and save two-thirds more land than organic grass-fed beef, according to research from the Hudson Institute.
The Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues compared land costs and greenhouse gas emissions of organic grass-based beef with conventional grain-finished beef using beef production models from Iowa State University's Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions estimates from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report details the human and environmental safety requirements for the use of supplemental hormones on feedlots, as well as the growing body of environmental monitoring studies showing no significant negative impacts from their use.
"Environmentally conscious consumers who have been told that grass-raised beef is more environmentally sensitive and sustainable should rethink their beef purchases in light of our findings," said Alex Avery, the study's lead author.
The Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues conducts research and analysis of agriculture and environmental concerns surrounding food and fiber production. To read the full report, go to http://www.cgfi.org/cgficommentary/the- ... production
By Ann Bagel Storck on 11/27/2007 for Meatingplace.com
Cattle raised on grain-based diets in feedlots using both natural and synthetic supplemental growth hormones produce 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and save two-thirds more land than organic grass-fed beef, according to research from the Hudson Institute.
The Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues compared land costs and greenhouse gas emissions of organic grass-based beef with conventional grain-finished beef using beef production models from Iowa State University's Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions estimates from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report details the human and environmental safety requirements for the use of supplemental hormones on feedlots, as well as the growing body of environmental monitoring studies showing no significant negative impacts from their use.
"Environmentally conscious consumers who have been told that grass-raised beef is more environmentally sensitive and sustainable should rethink their beef purchases in light of our findings," said Alex Avery, the study's lead author.
The Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues conducts research and analysis of agriculture and environmental concerns surrounding food and fiber production. To read the full report, go to http://www.cgfi.org/cgficommentary/the- ... production
