Mini cattle may shrink the hoofprint of eating beef

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Ashley Braun

Cows (deservedly) get a lot of grief for beef's hefty contribution to global warming, which means we should steer clear of adding more of them to the world, right? Basically, yes.

However, if you apply the theory of the Incredible Shrinking Man to the bovine world, more-but-mini cattle may give some relief to climate-conscious humans who still salivate for steak on occasion.

Miniature cattle -- around three feet tall -- measure up much better than the average-sized burger machine, requiring less of both land and feed. Ten mini cows -- the greenhouse-gas-burping equivalent of one regular cow -- can be pastured on the same five acres that previously would support only two full-sized cows. Mini-cattle pioneer Richard Gradwohl of Seattle, Wash., bit into the minute-cow craze when he had to downsize his ranch to keep up with rising property taxes and realized he could get three times the beef with these miniscule ruminants instead.

Yet another bonus of mini cows is that their mini meat is naturally more tender -- a tiny taste sensation!

http://www.grist.org...of-eating-beef/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Smaller cow = smaller steak. Don't like it.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Smaller cow = smaller steak. Don't like it.

It also multiplies the work to maintain them. It is easier and cheaper to maintian one big cow rather than 5 small ones.

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

Smaller cow = smaller steak. Don't like it.

but now people can really mean it when they say they are so hungry they can eat an entire cow.

[Nagishkaw 510]

That's bullch!t.

[evli1966 88]

Smaller cow = smaller steak. Don't like it.

I agree leave our Steaks alone.

All though very interesting read.

[HAL 9000 96]

Large steaks with less flavor vs smaller steaks with better flavor... (assuming smaller cows are grass-fed)

Hmmm. Tough choice. How about living longer on more modest amounts of food?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Large steaks with less flavor vs smaller steaks with better flavor... (assuming smaller cows are grass-fed)

Hmmm. Tough choice. How about living longer on more modest amounts of food?

I'll take my 2 1/2 pound porterhouse or cowboy steak.

[LaL 418]

Those things look too cute to eat.

[HAL 9000 96]

I'll take my 2 1/2 pound porterhouse or cowboy steak.

Scheduling that cardiologist appt for ya...

Those things look too cute to eat.

They're so cute you could eat them up.

[IndigoSkies 168]

Are article says the guy could raise three times more meat with miniature cows than he could with a regular cow. There won’t be any lack of meat. It may require more effort to raise 3 cows than one cow, however, when all costs and efforts are accounted for, raising 3 miniature cows are far more profitable than regular cows.

If you require a big steak and miniature cow’s steak don’t suffice you, you can eat two steaks instead of one. Also, eating steak doesn’t give you heart attack. Steaks are mostly protein and during grilling most of the fat melt off. So unless you’re eating an excessive amount of steaks spiked with pure butter sauce, have a seat and enjoy your steak. I know I did this past Sunday. In fact, I had 3 decent sized steaks.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It also multiplies the work to maintain them. It is easier and cheaper to maintian one big cow rather than 5 small ones.

Not according to that rancher who used to raise regular cattle.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Large steaks with less flavor vs smaller steaks with better flavor...

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Those things look too cute to eat.

Personally I find sheep to be cuter, but that's a subject for a different thread.

[HAL 9000 96]

Personally I find sheep to be cuter, but that's a subject for a different thread.

And the taste... hmmmmmmmmm...