[leadingthenet]

Right, but cattle can be raised where growing plants is impossible, and they can be fed by-products of plant agriculture that is not fit for human consumption.

It's really not an either-or, something that I feel is often lost in these discussions. Eating plants and meat is complementary, and has been for all of human history.

[kmm]

What percentage of cattle actually subsists on otherwise barren lands, and what percentage is fed soy and grains explicitly grown for them.

[getty]

It's also becoming possible to grow plants hydroponically in a highly automated and controlled environment (warehouse/cattle shed), with up to a 98% saving in treated water usage, 60% less nutrients required but with more nutritious crops and no pesticides. This is the case for High Pressure Aeroponics, which is slightly more complex than other hydroponic methods.

https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/ch_3.html

[leadingthenet]

That's an interesting point, but isn't it also true that hydroponics are currently just not a very economically feasible option?

[smegger001]

Depends on the crop. I know a lot of lettuce is grown Hydroponically. (but its basicly cellulose and water to begin with).