Ruminants have been both praised and demonized for their environmental impact. Below are the common myths, concerns, and benefits ruminants have contributed to this planet.

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For almost half a century, ruminants–specifically cows and cattle–have been repeatedly blamed and demonized for numerous environmental infractions.

These range from pollution (both manure and methane) to overgrazing and desertification, as well as the huge amount of resources used to feed them for meat and dairy production.

While many of these concerns and accusations are valid, it should not go without saying that they have also been misinterpreted, and many are grossly overblown.

Below are the topics that address popular concerns and common myths. Along with the debunking, you may also learn about alternative solutions.

Here’s primarily what we will cover:

• Water use & pollution by livestock farming,
• Land-use conflicts include marginal land use, land fragmentation, and land used for meat vs. plant-based
• Livestock grazing and associated conflicts and concerns with wildlife and wildlife habitats,
• Livestock and greenhouse gas emissions, which include methane and carbon sequestration (or lack thereof),
• Manure management concerns,
• Fossil fuel consumption, and
• The ever-infamous feed vs. food debate is one example of the other issues not covered in the land-use section.

Click the buttons below to learn more about the good, the bad, and the not-so-ugly truths and facts about ruminants and their multi-faceted interactions with the environment.