What if we got rid of livestock?

Authors: Hall, Mary Beth; WHITE, ROBIN - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University

Submitted to: Hoard's Dairyman
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2018
Publication Date: 7/1/2018
Citation: Hall, M., White, R.R. 2018. What if we got rid of livestock?. Hoard's Dairyman. 163(12):403.

Interpretive Summary: Reports on the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, use of resources, and the human diet have raised the question as to whether animal agriculture should be reduced or eliminated. That question needs to be evaluated in the context of the integrated ecological system in which human society exists with plant and animal agriculture. We modeled the United States agricultural system with or without the inclusion of animals to evaluate the impact on adequacy of the food supply without supplements to meet the nutrient requirements of the U.S. population, and on greenhouse gas production. Without animals in the system, lands cropped for animal agriculture were converted to human food production with acreage increases for each crop proportional to what the food crops account for in our current system. Untillable pasture and range were not used. When animals were omitted, diets formulated based on available foods were deficient in more nutrients, notably calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and specific fatty acids. Based on available foods and the combination that would meet nutrient requirements, grains accounted for more than 80% of the diet, as the resources of vegetables and fruit from currently imported or U.S.-raised sources were not adequate in composition or amount to meet needs. Greenhouse gases increased slightly without animals because the manure they produce would have to be replaced by synthesized fertilizer. Removal of animals from the U.S. agricultural system would not meet the nutritional needs of the U.S. population and would not reduce the environmental impact of greenhouse gases.

Technical Abstract: Reports on the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, use of resources, and the human diet have raised the question as to whether animal agriculture should be reduced or eliminated. That question needs to be evaluated in the context of the integrated ecological system in which human society exists with plant and animal agriculture. We modeled the United States agricultural system with or without the inclusion of animals to evaluate the impact on adequacy of the food supply without supplements to meet the nutrient requirements of the U.S. population, and on greenhouse gas production. Without animals in the system, lands cropped for animal agriculture were converted to human food production with acreage increases for each crop proportional to what the food crops account for in our current system. Untillable pasture and range were not used. When animals were omitted, diets formulated based on available foods were deficient in more nutrients, notably calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and specific fatty acids. Based on available foods and the combination that would meet nutrient requirements, grains accounted for more than 80% of the diet, as the resources of vegetables and fruit from currently imported or U.S.-raised sources were not adequate in composition or amount to meet needs. Greenhouse gases increased slightly without animals because the manure they produce would have to be replaced by synthesized fertilizer. Removal of animals from the U.S. agricultural system would not meet the nutritional needs of the U.S. population and would not reduce the environmental impact of greenhouse gases.