Canada’s beef production industry contributes less
carbon dioxide to the environment than the world-wide average beef production
industries, according to federal research scientist Tim McAllister of the
Lethbridge Research Station.
“If we really wanted to reduce emissions we should be
looking at identifying which areas in the world can produce ruminant products
with the least amount of emissions and focusing production globally there,”
McAllister is quoted by the Manitoba Co-operator newspaper.
Canada would come out a winner because grain-fed cattle
are more efficient at producing meat, which lowers the amount of emissions per
kilogram of meat produced, he said.
However, producers in other regions of the world would
likely protest and it’s unlikely any nation would willingly give up their
livestock industries.
McAllister said greenhouse gas emissions could be cut
further by adding vegetable oils to rations, but said there’s not enough
incentives to make it profitable.
“As it stands today there is no direct payment for
lowering greenhouse gas emissions from cow production in Canada,” he said.
“So anything that has to be introduced as a result of a
change in production practices has to have economic viability as well.”
“As a result, even though we know oils can lower methane
emissions there is very little added to the beef cattle diets in Canada,” he
said.
Oil-enriched diets have the added bonus of also
increasing the animal’s energy levels.
McAllister said more cattle are likely to move from
pastures to feedlots as the world population increases and there will be
greater demand for food.
Strange how McAllister seems to be an exception among federal scientists who are muzzled by the Harper government.
