A NYT oped from a very thorough author who I greatly admire. Since this came out in 2009 there has been more research (and more than that) on carbon sequestration in prairies and the need for large herbivores (including cattle) to create well-functioning prairie eco-systems that are able to sequester carbon. I have to say, when faced with bad news, after bad news concerning climate change, I find this really uplifting. It is a big part of why I do what I do.
New Meta analysis on health benefits of organic grassfed – Surprise! It is way better for you
A huge new meta-analysis published this week in the British Journal of Nutrition adds to the evidence that organic production can boost key nutrients in foods.
The study finds that organic dairy and meat contain about 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids. The increase is the result of animals foraging on grasses rich in omega-3s, which then end up in dairy and meats. The findings are based on data pooled from more than 200 studies, and research in the U.S. has pointed to similar benefits.
“Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function, and better immune function,” writes study co-author Chris Seal, a professor of food and human nutrition at Newcastle University in the U.K. “So we think it’s important for nutrition,” Seal told us. Read more: http://n.pr/1SWlcom
Here are additional articles on the study:
http://bit.ly/1SWln2I
http://bit.ly/1OjDtnj
http://bit.ly/20IRemG
Mother Earth News examines Grainfed vs. Grassfed
“MOTHER EARTH NEWS facilitated a pilot test over to examine the fatty-acid profiles in grassfed vs. grainfed meat… The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is much lower in grass-fed products, thus more nutritionally favorable, than the USDA standard.” Read More.
Consumer Reports thorough report on beef safety
“We suggest that you choose what’s labeled ‘grass-fed organic beef’ whenever you can.”
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/how-safe-is-your-ground-beef
Bibliography of grazing and climate change resources
**Overwhelmed by this list? Start here to see Alan Savory’s TED talk explaining how planned grazing can reverse climate change.
Multimedia
- NPR’s Talk of the Nation interview with Judith Schwartz about her book, Cows Save the Planet:
http://n.pr/1Z3mX2K - Soil Carbon Cowboys:
http://bit.ly/1M7sQmd
Books
- Schwartz. J. (2013). Cows Save the Planet: And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth. Vermont, USA: Chelsea Green Publishing.
- Niman, N. H. (2014). Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production. USA: Chelsea Green Publishing.
- Fairlie, S. (2010). Meat: A benign extravagance. Hampshire, UK: Permanent Publications.
Simon Fairlie argues that society needs to reorientate itself back to the land, both physically and spiritually and explains why an agriculture that can most readily achieve this is one that includes a measure of livestock farming.
Articles and Posts
- France’s campaign to sequester carbon in the soil (presented at the COP21):
http://4p1000.org/understand - The Nature Conservancy, Patagonia (the clothing company committed to environmental responsibility) partnered to regenerate the grasslands of
- From the COP21: Can Cows Save the Planet? Joe Sherman
http://bit.ly/1lAZk3y - Nicolette Hahn Niman: Wall Street Journal: Actually, Raising Beef is good for the Planet
http://on.wsj.com/1Ngil44 - L. Hunter Lovins: Why George Monboit is wrong: Grazing livestock can save the world:
http://bit.ly/1lB7nNI - Response to Cowspiracy:
http://bit.ly/1M7Gs0V
Research
- Richard Teague, a range scientist from Texas A&M University:
http://bit.ly/1HYLLoo - Soil scientist, Dr Elaine Ingham, chief scientist at Rodale Institute:
http://bit.ly/1Nn1CtL - Peer-Reviewed research from Rodale showing how regenerative agriculture can sequester more carbon than humans are now emitting.
http://bit.ly/21Ve8KM - Regeneration International: GHG Mitigation Potential of Different Grazing Strategies n the US Southern Great Plains:
http://bit.ly/21V2QGk - The Australian Dairy Farmer: ETS Lifeline: Soils Capable of Absorbing Cattle Methane
http://bit.ly/1OXdSnw - Amazing Carbon: Ruminants and Methane
http://bit.ly/1Z3mQo4
KOL Foods Blog 