5.7 Meat Production Methods

• What are the three main types of meat production methods based on how animals are raised and housed?

  Pasture-raised, free-range, feedlot/CAFO
• Feedlot/CAFO methods result in higher production yields
• Pasture-raised methods promote biodiversity and natural animal behaviors.
• What is one environmental impact of land conversion for meat production?

  Deforestation
• Methane emissions from livestock manure contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
• Match the sustainable meat production practice with its benefit:

  Rotational Grazing ↔️ Enhances soil health

  Agroforestry ↔️ Increases carbon sequestration

  Biogas Production ↔️ Reduces methane emissions
• Improved feed management in sustainable meat production reduces reliance on industrial agriculture.
• Rotational grazing enhances soil health
• Agroforestry increases carbon sequestration and enhances biodiversity.
• What does improved feed management lower in meat production?

  GHG emissions
• Biogas production from manure reduces methane emissions
• Match the meat production method with its key characteristics:

  Pasture-raised ↔️ High land use, low resource inputs

  Free-range ↔️ Moderate land use, moderate resource inputs

  CAFO ↔️ Low land use, high resource inputs
• What is the primary characteristic of pasture-raised meat production?

  Animals graze on natural pastures
• Free-range animals may receive supplemental feed but have access to outdoor spaces.
• CAFO systems confine large numbers of animals in small, high-density housing
• What environmental effect results from large-scale conversion of natural habitats for meat production?

  Deforestation
• High water consumption in meat production can lead to water scarcity and pollution.
• Methane emissions from livestock contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
• Steps in sustainable meat production methods:

  1️⃣ Rotational grazing

  2️⃣ Agroforestry

  3️⃣ Improved feed management

  4️⃣ Biogas production from manure
• What is a key benefit of rotational grazing compared to traditional grazing practices?

  Enhances soil health
• Improved feed management lowers GHG emissions and reduces reliance on industrial agriculture
• Which sustainable practice reduces methane emissions from manure?

  Biogas production
• Match the meat production method with its resource use and output:

  Pasture-raised ↔️ High land use, low output

  Free-range ↔️ Moderate land use, moderate output

  CAFO ↔️ Low land use, high output
• Ethical meat production prioritizes spacious environments and natural behaviors for animals.
• What environmental impact is reduced in ethical meat production compared to conventional methods?

  Pollution
• Plant-based meat reduces land and water usage
• Lab-grown meat has the potential to reduce animal slaughter and tailor nutrient profiles.
• Which future trend in meat production uses sustainable and efficient protein production?

  Precision fermentation