[fooker]

Most agriculture is only feasible in fertile lands. A majority of modern agriculture happens in river valleys once occupied by rainforests.

In comparison, animal rearing is feasible in pretty desolate places as long as you can transport feed and water.

Just claiming it's a lossy energy conversion is pretty irrelevant. Not all the 'calories' here are created equal.

[jgwil2]

Where do you think the feed comes from?

[fooker]

Did you get the impression that I am speaking for abolishing agriculture?

To answer your question, almost anything will do as feed. Byproducts of agriculture, grasslands, processed/filtered organic waste. Animals will thrive on rotten meat too -- famously leading to the mad cow disease.

[jgwil2]

Funny that you cite diseased animals as evidence of thriving.