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Animals, feed, food and people. An analysis of the role of animals in food production
70 ROLE OF ANIMALS IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Animals, Feed, Food and People. An Analysis o f the Role o f Animals in Food Production. R.L. Baldwin (Editor). Frederick A. Praeger, New York, NY, 1980. 149 pp., U S $ 1 5 . 0 0 . , ISBN 0-89158-779-9. This b o o k is comprised of seven papers arising from a symposium which was held at the American Association for Advancement of Science National Annual Meeting in January 1979. As indicated in the preface, the symposium was organised to identify issues often overlooked and review progress towards putting the role of animals in food production into quantitative perspective relative to allocation of the world's land, water, energy and labour resources. The first paper b y A.C. Bywater and R.L. Baldwin puts forward the thesis that efficiency of food production by animals should be calculated in terms of inputs of human edible energy and protein, n o t in terms of total feed inputs. When calculated in these terms, some livestock production systems produce more human edible energy and protein than they consume, putting an entirely different complexion on questions concerning future roles of animals in human f o o d production. On the premises that the requirements for data relevant to analyses of future developments and integration of crop and animal production can be accurately assessed and the data collected and analysed in a rigorous fashion, the authors then proceed to initiate development of a model of U.S. systems of beef and dairy production. In the second paper, L. Martin and K.D. Meilke analyse the impact of various policies on meat and crop production in the U.S. using econometric methods. Despite the severe limitations of the methods, they are able to reach two conclusions. First, that changes in the feed grain policy can have impacts on the livestock sector which are as great or greater than the impact on the feedgrain sector. Second, that there are time lags which may extend b e y o n d five years in the effects on meat production. The third paper b y N.E. Smith examines food and feed resources and utilization in the U.S., as a basis for gaining greater insights and knowledge relative to the potential for ruminants in world food production systems. It draws attention to the many by-product feeds, large quantities of crop residues, and wastes and alternative uses such as whole plant harvest as silage, as available feedstuffs of great potential and importance for f o o d production b y ruminants, in addition to the vast areas of grass and forest lands. In the fourth paper H.S. Bayley examines the opportunities for waste and by-product conversion to human f o o d b y non-ruminants. While in this instance it is n o t specifically stated, it is obvious that the examination is also based on the U.S. scene. Nevertheless, the more general conclusion is drawn that the technology exists to exploit wastes and by-products as new feed resources for pig and poultry production. Further, it is contended that the extent to which these resources will be used will depend both on the values placed by society upon the animal products produced from use of these feed resources and also on environmental constraints which prevent use of past disposal systems.
71
In the fifth paper, R.F. Brokken, J.K. Whittaker and L.M. Eisgruber present the general economic rationale underlying the direct use of land for grazing and holding animals and its indirect use for producing grain and other feedstuffs for production of food by animals. Again the data examined in detail are very largely based on the U.S. scene, where rapid technological change has allowed livestock production to increase while the total resource used in its production has decreased dramatically. The seventh paper by V.R. Young presents a nutritionists' view. While emphasizing that animal foods function as a significant source of nutrients for humans, it is pointed out that, even in diets based entirely on a narrow range of plant foods, a small amount of animal foods can correct any nutrient inadequacy; and attention is drawn to some actual or potential disadvantages arising from consumption of an increased proportion of animal foods as in the U.S. diet of which they presently constitute about half. It is only in the sixth paper by R.E. McDoweU that the discussion is really related to the world situation and in particular that of the developing countries as distinct from the U.S. Attention is drawn both to the different framework within which food is produced from animals, and to the constraints that arise from the lack of an infrastructure of transport, communication and refrigerated storage. Whereas in the U.S. emphasis is primarily on the production of food from animals in t h e most efficient manner, with little or no regard for the output of other goods and services from them, the challenge in the developing countries is that of working within traditional systems where production of food by animals is secondary to their uses as draught animals, for production of fibre and skins, for fertiliser, fuel, construction of buildings and feed (by recycling) from the excreta, for storage of capital and grain against economic and social risk, for pest control and for cultural purposes. Until the lack is overcome of an infrastructure of transport and communication and of refrigerated storage, it is only in or immediately adjacent to urban centres that emphasis can be given to maximising production of edible products from animals as against a low product yield complemented by these other goods and services. The symposium as a whole does succeed in identifying issues often overlooked. Equally it demonstrates the difficulties of defining the requirements for data relevant to analyses of future developments and of integration of crop and animal production in relation to feeding the peoples of the world as distinct from those in the U.S. Apart from a few minor errors of an editorial nature, the material is well presented with highly pertinent tables and figures. It will be of great value wherever study of food production from animals or development of policy in this regard is being undertaken. In particular, it would be a well worthwhile addition to the libraries of relevant international agencies and research institutions and relevant departments of universities and government institutions, and it will be of great, use to individual research workers. R.H. WATSON
(North Balw~ln, Vic., Australia)
Animals, Feed, Food and People. An Analysis o f the Role o f Animals in Food Production. R.L. Baldwin (Editor). Frederick A. Praeger, New York, NY, 1980. 149 pp., U S $ 1 5 . 0 0 . , ISBN 0-89158-779-9. This b o o k is comprised of seven papers arising from a symposium which was held at the American Association for Advancement of Science National Annual Meeting in January 1979. As indicated in the preface, the symposium was organised to identify issues often overlooked and review progress towards putting the role of animals in food production into quantitative perspective relative to allocation of the world's land, water, energy and labour resources. The first paper b y A.C. Bywater and R.L. Baldwin puts forward the thesis that efficiency of food production by animals should be calculated in terms of inputs of human edible energy and protein, n o t in terms of total feed inputs. When calculated in these terms, some livestock production systems produce more human edible energy and protein than they consume, putting an entirely different complexion on questions concerning future roles of animals in human f o o d production. On the premises that the requirements for data relevant to analyses of future developments and integration of crop and animal production can be accurately assessed and the data collected and analysed in a rigorous fashion, the authors then proceed to initiate development of a model of U.S. systems of beef and dairy production. In the second paper, L. Martin and K.D. Meilke analyse the impact of various policies on meat and crop production in the U.S. using econometric methods. Despite the severe limitations of the methods, they are able to reach two conclusions. First, that changes in the feed grain policy can have impacts on the livestock sector which are as great or greater than the impact on the feedgrain sector. Second, that there are time lags which may extend b e y o n d five years in the effects on meat production. The third paper b y N.E. Smith examines food and feed resources and utilization in the U.S., as a basis for gaining greater insights and knowledge relative to the potential for ruminants in world food production systems. It draws attention to the many by-product feeds, large quantities of crop residues, and wastes and alternative uses such as whole plant harvest as silage, as available feedstuffs of great potential and importance for f o o d production b y ruminants, in addition to the vast areas of grass and forest lands. In the fourth paper H.S. Bayley examines the opportunities for waste and by-product conversion to human f o o d b y non-ruminants. While in this instance it is n o t specifically stated, it is obvious that the examination is also based on the U.S. scene. Nevertheless, the more general conclusion is drawn that the technology exists to exploit wastes and by-products as new feed resources for pig and poultry production. Further, it is contended that the extent to which these resources will be used will depend both on the values placed by society upon the animal products produced from use of these feed resources and also on environmental constraints which prevent use of past disposal systems.
71
In the fifth paper, R.F. Brokken, J.K. Whittaker and L.M. Eisgruber present the general economic rationale underlying the direct use of land for grazing and holding animals and its indirect use for producing grain and other feedstuffs for production of food by animals. Again the data examined in detail are very largely based on the U.S. scene, where rapid technological change has allowed livestock production to increase while the total resource used in its production has decreased dramatically. The seventh paper by V.R. Young presents a nutritionists' view. While emphasizing that animal foods function as a significant source of nutrients for humans, it is pointed out that, even in diets based entirely on a narrow range of plant foods, a small amount of animal foods can correct any nutrient inadequacy; and attention is drawn to some actual or potential disadvantages arising from consumption of an increased proportion of animal foods as in the U.S. diet of which they presently constitute about half. It is only in the sixth paper by R.E. McDoweU that the discussion is really related to the world situation and in particular that of the developing countries as distinct from the U.S. Attention is drawn both to the different framework within which food is produced from animals, and to the constraints that arise from the lack of an infrastructure of transport, communication and refrigerated storage. Whereas in the U.S. emphasis is primarily on the production of food from animals in t h e most efficient manner, with little or no regard for the output of other goods and services from them, the challenge in the developing countries is that of working within traditional systems where production of food by animals is secondary to their uses as draught animals, for production of fibre and skins, for fertiliser, fuel, construction of buildings and feed (by recycling) from the excreta, for storage of capital and grain against economic and social risk, for pest control and for cultural purposes. Until the lack is overcome of an infrastructure of transport and communication and of refrigerated storage, it is only in or immediately adjacent to urban centres that emphasis can be given to maximising production of edible products from animals as against a low product yield complemented by these other goods and services. The symposium as a whole does succeed in identifying issues often overlooked. Equally it demonstrates the difficulties of defining the requirements for data relevant to analyses of future developments and of integration of crop and animal production in relation to feeding the peoples of the world as distinct from those in the U.S. Apart from a few minor errors of an editorial nature, the material is well presented with highly pertinent tables and figures. It will be of great value wherever study of food production from animals or development of policy in this regard is being undertaken. In particular, it would be a well worthwhile addition to the libraries of relevant international agencies and research institutions and relevant departments of universities and government institutions, and it will be of great, use to individual research workers. R.H. WATSON
(North Balw~ln, Vic., Australia)