What percent of this crop goes to livestock, and how much of it goes to feed humans?
Because it sounds like livestock are the real reason we have a shortage of these crops, since they’re also eating all the reserves, too.
This isn’t one crop, this is all of them we’re talking about. And we’re talking about them not growing in the first place.
The article specifically only mentions cereal crops like wheat and barley, so I can’t comment on how other crops are being affected.
Canada’s Grain Commission estimates that in the first week of June, 9400 tonnes of grain (wheat, barley, canola) in Alberta went to domestic feed.
The beauty of grain crop is that it can be stockpiled and stored for years, but not if livestock are eating those reserves.
Ultimately, this situation will only get worse, so farmers need to either adapt, restrict crops going to livestock, or find a different way to grow them.
I’m pretty sure canola was in there as well.
I agree with everything else, though. Livestock are hella inefficient even if you ignore any ethical issues. I just felt like it was kind of a non-sequitur here.
Alberta grain farmers work hard for their money and are vital to food security and I believe they are struggling under corporate influence and government management. I hope this brings sustainable change for grain producers.