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From: mason@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Mason)
Newsgroups: net.veg
Subject: Re: Lacto-ovo- vs. "total" vegetarianism
Message-ID: <3070@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 8-Jan-84 19:33:15 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.3070
Posted: Sun Jan  8 19:33:15 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 8-Jan-84 20:32:27 EST
References: <728@ut-sally.UUCP>
Organization: University of Toronto/Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Lines: 41

The following information comes from "Diet for a Small Planet" by Frances
Moore Lappe' (C) 1971,1975 Ballantine Cookbook.
Beef steers are the champion protein wasters.  Estimates vary from 20:1 to
7:1, but the 7:1 assumes that all the market protein on a steer comes from
the grain it is fed.  The USDA quotes a number of 16:1.
Pork is substantially better: 6:1.
Turkey : 4:1.
Eggs: 3:1.
Broiler chickens: 3:1.
Milk production by cows is stated to be about one pound of grain per pint.
By my calculations this is between 2:1 and 4:1.
Note that livestock are not only fed grains, but also soybeans & milk.
Fate of US Protein Resources
Resource		Average Protein		Proportion Fed
			Content			to Livestock
1. Corn, Barley, Oats	8%-14%			90%
2. Soybeans		35%-40%			90%+
3. Wheat		11%-14%			24%
4. Milk (solids&liquids)3%-33%			2%
5. Total harvested acreage			50%
Looking at the global situation:
1. Grain		8%-14%			33%-35%
2. Oilseeds		26%-40%			60%-70%
3. Fish			15%-25%			40%-50%
4. Milk products	3%-33%			25%-40%

In 1971 140 million tons of grain & soy were fed to livestock, yielding
20 million tons of meat, and WASTING 118 MILLION TONS!

Through oilseeds (peanuts, palm kernels, copra, etc.), oilseed products,
and fish meal, the Western World is currently acquiring from the hungry
world one million metric tons more protein than is delivered to the
hungry world through grains.  In other words, the Western World is exchanging
approx 3 million metric tons of cereal protein for 4 million metric tons
of other proteins which are superior in nutritive aspect.  (DM note: the
essential amino acids in grains require substantial balancing with oilseeds
amino acid to supply the balance required for complete human nutrition)
-- 
 Dave Mason, U. Toronto CSRG,
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