Are cows bad for the environment?

Answer 1

Really depends. On their own, without influence from the human society they would be happily grazing grass like any other of the bovine species, not causing too much trouble. However, the way cows are kept nowadays, in large amounts in order to mass produce your Big Macs with fake cheese on them, they do produce a large amount methane and other greenhouse gasses.

The above notion is not entirely true. Cattle are grazed for 12, 14, 18 months in open range and in wide open spaces. The "factory" cattle myth suggests that they are "fed" throughout their lives. They are fed in enclosed areas for 30 or 60 days at the end of their lives and are only then fed grain.

Interestingly, cows can improve habitat. They can graze on foodstuffs that help to clear debris from range-lands and hillsides, keeping it free of the fuel that feeds wildfire. Cattle can also convert dry matter into feed for themselves, including remnants like almond hulls, sugar beets, etc. This animal is an amazing machine. With its four stomach chambers, a cow can chew and then digest through its four chambers an incredible amount of food.

In addition, cattle are generally raised in environments that do not supplant acreage needed for farming. Most herds in North America are raised in environments where the growing season for food crops is short, hence they are a positive economic venture in those regions. Cattle help to preserve open range land and allow for open spaces to continue. In addition, where cattle graze, wildlife and waterfowl thrive. In North America, 75% of the waterfowl migrating north or south are protected by ranchers, not by government regulation or even conservation areas. Reducing these private lands will impact wildlife preservation.

Answer 2

Cows can contribute to environmental issues through greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water pollution. However, sustainable farming practices, such as rotational grazing and manure management, can reduce these negative impacts. It is important to balance the environmental impact of cattle with the need for sustainable food production.