A thought-provoking question for everyone who loves animals

[wombat2u2004]

but if people in the western world would just start eating less meat, people in other parts of the world woudln't be starving.

??????? Why would eating less meat help the starving millions ???

[Karen]

??????? Why would eating less meat help the starving millions ???

The theory is that the grain used to feed the animals would feed many times the number of people the meat of that animal can feed.

[wombat2u2004]

The theory is that the grain used to feed the animals would feed many times the number of people the meat of that animal can feed.

Right.

[Lady's Human]

The theory is that the grain used to feed the animals would feed many times the number of people the meat of that animal can feed.

The problem isn't food. The problem is the warlords who keep their people from getting the food. Control the food, control the population. Just like in the Ukraine under Uncle Joe, the food is there, people just aren't allowed to get to it.

[Kirsten]

The theory is that the grain used to feed the animals would feed many times the number of people the meat of that animal can feed.

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Thanks, Karen.

The problem isn't food. The problem is the warlords who keep their people from getting the food. Control the food, control the population. Just like in the Ukraine under Uncle Joe, the food is there, people just aren't allowed to get to it.

I admit that half the world eating less meat wouldn't solve all the problems in this world. There are more reasons for starvation/poverty, as the one you pointed out. However, I think that reducing the meat consumption on this planet would be a step into the right direction...

[wombat2u2004]

I admit that half the world eating less meat wouldn't solve all the problems in this world. There are more reasons for starvation/poverty, as the one you pointed out. However, I think that reducing the meat consumption on this planet would be a step into the right direction...

I don't know if it would Kirsten.
Altho, the environmentalist who tells us that by chopping down 3 trees a week in the State of Oregon will eventually destroy the planet would probably disagree with me.
Where I live, on the New England tablelands....it's cattle country. And it is a vast area. Cattle farmers here run their cattle on farms anywhere from 1000 to 20,000 acres in size. The area is rich, has good rainfall, and produces top quality beef, but because of the climate, the area is no good at all for cropping of any description.
So we all stop eating beef, the economy collapses. Who is going to feed us ??
The Sudanese ? Maybe Robert Mugabe could send us some pizzas.

Let me tell you a little story (I think I have written this before on PT).
My next door neighbour Rob sells and exports farm machinery to Sudan. He goes there two or three times a year to show the locals how to use this stuff (not that the locals are very interested in learning...buy hey...they are getting paid for it and get all of this free machinery at the expense of all of those nice people in the UN). So he comes back after the trips and comes into my place for a beer (I know, I know...here's me and him having a beer that we can afford because we have both worked very hard in our life) and he complains about the Sudanese. His very words ??? "They have to be the most laziest people on the planet John, they won't work, they wouldn't work if their lives depended on it. I have to do everything, unpack all of the equipment, put it together, everything, while they all sit around and watch."
And more..."So disappointing John, I took a dozen new tractors to Sudan last year, have a guess where they are now ? I seen them only last week, every one of them, sitting in the fields just rusting away."
So what do you think the real problem is here Kirsten ?? Any ideas ??? Penny starting to drop yet ???

My take on this matter ?? You want to feed these people ??? Fine. But in doing so you will create a bigger monster.
Firstly you will destroy our own economies, secondly you will set a precedent that will never end, you will will simply have to feed these people forever and ever, and in doing so, these people will want more and more and more.
We give them the technology, we give them the equipment, we give them the money....but why use it ?? It's easier to sit in front of their mud hut with hand extended.

[Bonny]

The theory is that the grain used to feed the animals would feed many times the number of people the meat of that animal can feed.

The grain that is fed to animals like hay, soybeans & field corn is not meant to be eaten by humans. The growing season for hay, corn, soybeans is short so it is what is grown in the corn, bean, & hay belt areas. The land gets to rest a good 7 months out of the year & the waste from the animals is used to regenerate the soil. It is a give & take situation & stewards of the land do care about the land & the animals to which they are deemed responsible.

Norman Borlaug developed highly yielding crop varieties that has helped avert famines worldwide.

[wombat2u2004]

The grain that is fed to animals like hay, soybeans & field corn is not meant to be eaten by humans. The growing season for hay, corn, soybeans is short so it is what is grown in the corn, bean, & hay belt areas. The land gets to rest a good 7 months out of the year & the waste from the animals is used to regenerate the soil. It is a give & take situation & stewards of the land do care about the land & the animals to which they are deemed responsible.

Norman Borlaug developed highly yielding crop varieties that has helped avert famines worldwide.

That's right. When natural grass is not growing well around here (which isn't very often), the cattle are fed "Nuts". Nuts are made from salt, mollasses and lucerne (alfalfa)....they taste like crap, but the cattle love them.