What's the real beef over sustainable cattle farming?
George Monbiot refers to FAI Farms' work on regenerative beef farming, selectively critiquing one metric from our comprehensive report on adaptive multi-paddock grazing, while ignoring 54 others (New reports tell us cattle and sheep farming can be sustainable – don't believe them, it's all bull, 7 May).
He focuses solely on the methodology behind our net zero carbon-balance estimation. This was calculated to be beyond net zero (-49.7t of CO2 equivalent) for our farm, based on modelling using the Sandy 'natural capital navigator', a Defra-recognised, scientifically robust platform. Mr Monbiot dismisses it as 'a right old mess', but his comment wrongly assumes that laboratory soil tests collected and described in the report were used to draw this conclusion. Instead, they provided a baseline and additional helpful analysis of soil health.
Focusing on the carbon impact alone is also missing the point about what it takes to achieve sustainable beef production. Beyond carbon, our report's findings demonstrate broad benefits, including improved biodiversity, reduced reliance on inputs, enhanced water infiltration and healthier soils. Together, these outcomes outline a more resilient food system. Øistein ThorsenCEO, FAI Farms
In attempting to blame sheep and cattle grazing for wildfires, George Monbiot resorts to prehistory to turn reality on its head. The major increase in such fires is a 21st-century phenomenon, which is the result of a major decline in traditional grazing and vegetation management by upland communities. A large proportion of the 40% decline in UK cattle numbers and 30% in sheep flocks during recent decades has been in upland landscapes, which also comprise most of our national parks.
It is only logical that if the vegetative carbon biomass that was previously converted via lamb and beef into (non-combustible) human biomass is now left to die and dry out, it will create a major fire hazard in hot, dry weather. Such summer wildfires represent a 21st-century failure in land management.Aidan Harrison Morpeth, Northumberland
George Monbiot is offering the choice between two dystopias. One is fully industrial farming, controlled by ever fewer players. This is where we have been heading in the quest for cheap and plentiful food for all since the privations of the second world war. As a proportion of income, we spend relatively little on food, and cheap food comes at the cost of our health and that of our planet.
His second dystopia is based on lab-grown food and rewilding. The issues are complex, but agriculture is a part of a malfunctioning political and economic system; while there is blame to be laid at the door of the current system, the answer lies in reconnecting people to a better understanding of the natural world in which we are less exploitative. Can you really imagine abolishing all farmers and eating 'food' supplied by mega-corporations?
There is a third way. It requires adjustments to our methods and is inclusive, and would result in greater health for people and planet. We run an organic flour mill. Currently, wheat and barley grown for animal feed in the UK uses 40% of its arable land and half of the annual wheat harvest. Freeing up land from animal feed production would allow us to farm a higher acreage organically and regeneratively, sequestering carbon very effectively as we do so. Nelly TrevelyanYorkshire Organic Millers
Do you have a photograph you'd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers' best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Pea, pistachio and matcha cake
This cake is a real green extravaganza. I love matcha and I think the flavour goes well here – with the peas and pistachios, it's a green triple threat. That being said, matcha is a very specific flavour. If you haven't tried it before, I recommend grabbing an iced matcha or similar drink at a coffee shop before trying this recipe, especially as it's a more expensive ingredient. If you don't like matcha or don't want to use it, just leave it out and glaze the cake with a simple icing, then scatter over some pistachios. I use lime juice in the glaze to add a bit of zing, but you can use milk if you're not a lime fiend. Cooling time required Overview Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hr Serves 10 to 12 Ingredients 115ml sunflower or vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing the tin 125g frozen peas 200g natural yoghurt 75g pistachios, plus extra for decorating, if you like 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 eggs 175g caster sugar 200g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 1 tbsp matcha powder Zest of 1 lime For the glaze 125g icing sugar ½ tsp matcha powder 1½ tbsp lime juice (or you can use milk), or as needed Method Step Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. Step Oil a 1.5-litre loaf tin and line with parchment paper. Step Place 125g frozen peas in a heatproof bowl and cover with freshly boiled water to defrost. Leave for a few minutes, then drain. Step Tip the peas into a food processor, add 100g natural yogurt and blitz until smooth. Step Throw in 75g pistachios and blitz until coarsely chopped. Set aside. Step In a mixing bowl, combine 115ml sunflower or vegetable oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 3 eggs, then stir in the remaining 100g yoghurt, 175g caster sugar, and the pea and pistachio mixture.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Six swans hatch at Druridge Bay nature reserve after five years
Six mute swan cygnets have hatched at a nature reserve for the first time in five Wildlife Trust (NWT) said the new family at the Hauxley haven in Druridge Bay was welcome news after a swan was shot dead weeks ago at another reserve. The chicks' parents set up home in the reserve last year, but failed to breed because they were too young. Alex Lister, NWT bay landscapes manager, said the "fluffy bundles" were a delight and he hoped for more chicks in the coming years. The last resident pair of swans moved on from the Druridge Bay reserve at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, having lived on the reserve for nine years and raising more than 40 at NWT were devastated after members of the public found a 16-year-old female mute swan with a fatal head wound on the East Chevington nature reserve earlier this month. Mr Lister said: "What great news so soon after the sad news that a swan had been killed at our East Chevington reserve. "It really is lovely to see them back at Hauxley after a five-year absence and if they stay as long as their predecessors, there will be plenty more cygnets hatching over the next few years to delight staff and visitors." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Sunderland Horizon tenants allowed home after power restored
About 150 residents forced to leave a tower block over fire safety fears have been allowed to return home.A prohibition notice was issued on 20 May after a loss of power and water hit the Horizon building, in Borough Road, Sunderland city Realty Management, which rents out the flats in the privately-owned building, said it had worked "day and night" to resolve an electrical problem and that it had previously been told it would have to wait 16 weeks for a part to fix the and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFS) said there was "no longer an imminent risk to life" and it was continuing to work with "partner agencies to address any residual fire safety issues". TWFS said it had issued the original notice after "a loss of essential fire safety systems".A spokesman for UK Realty Management said: "As management, along with the help of the freeholder, we were trying day and night to find alternatives as a 16-week wait was unviable."He also said that repeated attempts by an electrician to resolve the issue had failed."We are thankful to the council and fire authority for all their ongoing support and help."At the same time, I would also like to confirm that management and the freeholder did everything over and above to make it happen in less than a week when it was presumed to be 16 weeks," the spokesman added."Currently the building is fully occupied with all compliances met."Sunderland City Council had set up a reception centre at the nearby Raich Carter Leisure Centre in Hendon for tenants with nowhere to stay.A spokesperson said: "We did offer housing advice and assistance to all displaced tenants who contacted us throughout the period Horizon was closed to ensure that nobody was left without accommodation." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
