Organic Meat
There are many factors to consider when meat and an organic lifestyle go head to head. These two ideas can be very contradictory at times. We at Organic-Choices.com believe that the only way to tread lightly on the planet is to become a vegetarian. Here are some facts from the USDA regarding meat:
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growing crops for farm animals requires nearly half of the U.S. water supply
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growing crops for farm animals requires 80% of the U.S. agricultural land
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Animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 90% of the soy crop
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Animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 80% of the corn crop
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Animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 70% of its grain
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inefficiencies of meat, milk and egg production range from a 4:1 energy input to protein output ratio up to 54:1
If you do not choose to become a vegetarian, it is highly recommended that you limit your meat consumption, and when choosing your beef, pork, and poultry, always choose organic. Organic meats ensure that you won't be unwittingly eating rBGH and hundreds of antibiotics that are pumped into conventional cattle and swine. When choosing fish, avoid farm raised fish as these fish are often more disease prone, and not fed in a natural manner, this not only distracts from taste, but it also makes the fish less nutritious.
Organic meat will have a more natural flavor and fat content to it, you will have the peace of mind knowing that your organic meat hasn't been irradiated with cancer causing radiation, nor is it full of unnatural amounts of growth hormone or antibiotics. With organic meats, you won't find marbling of the fat because the animals are allowed to develop naturally, and fat doesn't mix with muscle in active tissue.
Environmental Impact
Globally, the agriculture sector produces between 50-75% of anthropogenic methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions respectively, and about five percent of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2). Agricultural activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions directly and indirectly. Direct contributions resulting from emissions of CH4, N2O, and CO2 are due to deforestation, biomass burning, ruminant animals, decomposition of soil organic carbon from tillage practices, rice cultivation, fertilizer application, use of manure, and degradation of wetlands. Soil turnover is the major cause of CO2 emissions from cropland. Livestock account for nearly 20% of the total U.S. methane emissions.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "methane is emitted from a variety of both human-related (anthropogenic) and natural sources. Human-related activities include fossil fuel production, animal husbandry (enteric fermentation in livestock and manure management), rice cultivation, biomass burning, and waste management. These activities release significant quantities of methane to the atmosphere. It is estimated that 60% of global methane emissions are related to human-related activities. Natural sources of methane include wetlands, gas hydrates, permafrost, termites, oceans, freshwater bodies, non-wetland soils, and other sources such as wildfires."
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