Re: Naturalist Says Grass-fed The Way, The Daily News, June 11.
 
With 23 million acres of land suitable for grazing, B.C. is a great place to raise beef.

Trevor Herriot’s views about grass and grain-fed beef are those of a naturalist and oversimplify the solutions. Livestock are fed grain to increase their rate of daily gain and to achieve a goal of well-marbled, tender beef.

Mr. Herriot seemed concerned about the conversion of prairie grasslands to grain fields and the impact this has on birds. The idea that grass-finished is best for the environment is quite a leap when you consider that less land is used for feeding animals in a grain production system.

Both grass-fed and grain-fed beef can be good for the environment; it is all in the way we manage. Mr. Herriot is correct in the fact ranchers are not compensated for managing the land in a way that is good for the environment. So why continue to do it when you aren’t paid for it?