http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/vegetarianism-and-the-environment/ An internationalist's musings... Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:39:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/vegetarianism-and-the-environment/#comment-19 aurelientt Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:12:22 +0000 http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-19 Hey Beth, welcome to the blog. :) I understand that members of the beef industry and perhaps the pork, chicken and other 'meat industries' can and are taking steps to become sustainable endeavors but what led me to become a vegetarian was the oversized impact that meat production compared to non-meat production has on efforts to conserve resources. Some of the sound practices that you describe in your comment are great steps toward reducing any potential negative environmental impacts. Hey Beth, welcome to the blog. I understand that members of the beef industry and perhaps the pork, chicken and other ‘meat industries’ can and are taking steps to become sustainable endeavors but what led me to become a vegetarian was the oversized impact that meat production compared to non-meat production has on efforts to conserve resources. Some of the sound practices that you describe in your comment are great steps toward reducing any potential negative environmental impacts.

]]> http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/vegetarianism-and-the-environment/#comment-18 Beth Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:32:29 +0000 http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-18 As a cattle producer and an advocate for the Beef industry I agree completely with Leticia. In my hometown and surrounding community the environment is a vital part of our economy. As cattle producers we rely on the land for more than just profit, we rely on it for our way of life. Like Leticia’s Family we also have strong beliefs for the environment and how it is maintained and utilized in a proper way. We use sound practices like pasture rotation (moving cattle from one pasture to another at various times of the year to prevent over grazing), no-till farming, and water conservation. In my state farmers and ranchers use solar powered water tanks which means the water is pumped with solar energy. We also use wind energy to power our operations. Sustainable agriculture is a way of life. As a cattle producer and an advocate for the Beef industry I agree completely with Leticia. In my hometown and surrounding community the environment is a vital part of our economy. As cattle producers we rely on the land for more than just profit, we rely on it for our way of life. Like Leticia’s Family we also have strong beliefs for the environment and how it is maintained and utilized in a proper way. We use sound practices like pasture rotation (moving cattle from one pasture to another at various times of the year to prevent over grazing), no-till farming, and water conservation. In my state farmers and ranchers use solar powered water tanks which means the water is pumped with solar energy. We also use wind energy to power our operations. Sustainable agriculture is a way of life.

]]> http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/vegetarianism-and-the-environment/#comment-17 aurelientt Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:40:34 +0000 http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-17 Leticia, thanks for being a model of a livestock producer that is also an environmental steward. My fear is that your company is not the norm and that it is mass consumption of meat that endangers efforts to establish a sustainable future. The stats listed in the article I think could be blunted if more producers followed your example. Leticia, thanks for being a model of a livestock producer that is also an environmental steward. My fear is that your company is not the norm and that it is mass consumption of meat that endangers efforts to establish a sustainable future. The stats listed in the article I think could be blunted if more producers followed your example.

]]> http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/vegetarianism-and-the-environment/#comment-16 Leticia Varelas Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:56:05 +0000 http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-16 As a beef producer, I would like to highlight what we have done not only to conserve our natural resources, but actually improve the environment. 85% of the land that our cattle graze on is actually land that has no other use. We have been able to convert this land that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into a productive, beneficial environment. On our ranch, we implement methods that prevent erosion, promote a better environment, and improve wildlife habitat. The quality of our land impacts the quality of our animals and our way of life. We work to ensure that the resourece we use today will be here for the generations of tomorrow. For more information on what we do, please visit beeffrompasturetoplate.org As a beef producer, I would like to highlight what we have done not only to conserve our natural resources, but actually improve the environment. 85% of the land that our cattle graze on is actually land that has no other use. We have been able to convert this land that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into a productive, beneficial environment. On our ranch, we implement methods that prevent erosion, promote a better environment, and improve wildlife habitat. The quality of our land impacts the quality of our animals and our way of life. We work to ensure that the resourece we use today will be here for the generations of tomorrow. For more information on what we do, please visit beeffrompasturetoplate.org

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