Re: Organic farming is practical on a large scale
- From: Doug Jones <jonesd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 09:15:42 -0500
On 8 Dec 2005 19:48:39 -0800, "Dave" <prplbn@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>><snip >
>> >It isn't my estimate. It's an estimate based upon a 21 year study
>> >measuring results on actual farms for which I have provided a link.
>> >
>> <sigh> No, your "obvious conclusion" (quote) is that this study is
>> applicable worldwide. What it did was to compare organic farms (a
>> subset) with matching non-organic farms (another subset) to each
>> other in one country. You have a controlled set of variables. You
>> jumped to the conclusion that this applies to *all* farming around the
>> world.
>
>It is the basis for an estimate (not a conclusion) of the relative land
>efficiency of organic agriculture. As such it provides good evidence
>in support of the claim that organic farming can provide sufficient
>food to feed the world if we adapt our eating patterns.
We already grow sufficient food to feed the world. The problem is in
distribution.
>>
>> You also are applying the idea of "feedlots", and crops grown
>> specifically for animal consumption to the entire world. First off,
>> for the most part crops grown to feed animals are "excess", and
>> principally an American/European phenomenon.
>
>That accounts for ~21% of our arable land.
>http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/x5305e/x5305e05.htm
>
>> Even there, the types of
>> animals grown and feeding parameters vary. Cattle for most of their
>> lives are raised quite successfully on pastureage. In much of the
>> world, animals used for food are generally forage fed, or fed food not
>> fit for human consumption. IOW, they turn non-useable biomass into
>> useable biomass.
>
>True but in some (not all) cases the land on which this non-usable
>biomass
>grows could instead be used to grow usable biomass.
Actually, almost all arable land - that is, using the strict
definition, used for crops - is already in production or lying fallow
for specific reasons. Grazing lands are used for that purpose because
they are not suitable for crops. If you're talking maximum yields
for food, animals turn non-useable biomass into useable biomass.
Consider that the human edible portion of most food plants are a small
percentage of the overall plant. On the other hand, feeding the rest
to animals turns it into useable biomass, along with producing an
organic fertilizer.
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