By Crystal Heath | The Public Foruml, “Why it’s time for Utah to buy out alfalfa farmers and let the water flow.” As the editorial aptly states, alfalfa is one of the most water-intensive crops grown in Utah. But the piece ignores the impact of the dairy industry, even suggesting this abusive and destructive industry is one of the few agricultural sectors with a future in Utah.
Any discussion of water usage must consider the major consumer of alfalfa — dairy cows. Moreover, the dairy industry is a significant source of pollution affecting the Colorado River,
So many alternatives to destructive animal ag.
So sick of animal ag existing, with all its exploitation, death l, abuse and destruction. Cut all subsidies related to this toxic industry. LetDairyDie
Or we could introduce them to SoilMix, cut their usage of water on alfalfa by 30-70%, while also handling the bio solids and pathogens from the cows.
Been saying this since the start
The dairy industry is anathema to the water supply, water pollution, the climate, just land use, pandemics/epidemics/disease, public/personal health, antibiotic resistance and horrifically cruel to cows. No humans need ANY animal products period.
Regenerative agriculture is the answer. Carnivory is best for our health. Right, KenDBerryMD SBakerMD CarnivoreMD ? keto Carnivore
Shhhhhhhh, no. Stop.
I guess you want to starve? Bring on de bugz!
Better yet, we in rural communities should stop shipping food to the city. Maybe then you know it all City brats will learn why rural communities are so important.
Yes!! Let’s save our planet 🌎
How about no!
Feel free to stop consuming dairy if you're so concerned about it but I doubt you will
Why do’t we just kill off the entire population of all living things on this earth? you are an earth worshiper, are you not? You do realize that you are made of carbon, right?
If any of you are interested in real solutions to a lot of these problems, check out Permaculture.
Start with the horses first. Total luxury.
Perhaps, holding big corporations (big farmers) accountable for using more water than they have rights for. Dairy cows are not the problem!
Animal foods are killing us.
We can grow fodder without alfalfa—tree hays, silvopasture, and even salicornia grown on the salt lake could substitute for alfalfa while drastically reducing water usage
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
It isn’t farming or ag of any kind that is consuming the water it is the Wasatch front and the I15 corridor Where do you think all the water comes from the water fairy UT entices more and mor businesses to that area rather than spread it out over the state Stop Ag Stop living
Well, then, what are you going to eat?
Choose only one (apparently):
DeepState_sat Urban air is full of water, harvest it.
I think we should compromise. People living in urban areas can eat bugs and cockroach milk cheese and people in rural areas can continue to eat cows and cow milk cheese.
As a paying member of EDCUtah, I love how we ignore the amount of growth everyone in state gov't and developers are pushing, especially along the Wasatch Front. How much water doesn't make it to the Jordan River anymore, and thus the GSL, because of massive infill development?
OMG, just stop! How do you even exist? Geez.
Really?
Or quit popping out kids like they are tickets to heaven.
As a California and México licensed Veterinarian it is so sad to see governments and consumers deny the negative impact of animal agriculture in our only planet. We need to speak up if we want our children to have a healthy world.
Lies and narrative you liberal arse kissers. Stop watering municipal grass and cemeteries. Thats the best place to look.
It's worth noting that the majority of alfalfa farmers were in Utah long before plant-based acolytes moved here from California. Utah has been farming alfalfa for decades, but it's only this year after a huge influx of out of staters that it's blamed for the drought.
Humanity needs to become (mostly) plant-based if we are to try to save what's left of nature. Animal agriculture needs to stop.
This discussion will be serious only if the state (taxpayers) brings its checkbook to pay for the water rights. It means turning $5,000/acre cropland into $500/acre pasture land for those farmers.
The end of animal ag can't come soon enough!
Accurate, time to change crops in the desert.
GovCox
Always you're throwing the critiques at the LDS Church. At wealthy Utahns. At local farmers. Why not at the Chinese investors who are actually buying these water-sucking farms, you worthless cowards?
I'm serious about the small family dairy I'm building. Did you know that significant amounts of the water used to grow alfalfa & other agricultural crops actually go back into the earth & recharge aquifers? You know what doesn't? Cities.
Wrong, this is a veiled attempt at changing the way we eat. Field to the fork .
It is shameful that our politicians ignore animal agriculture and the destruction they cause. Thank you for publishing this information.
it surprise me that people on power don't recognize this issue, is like they all know about it but because brings big bucks to their pockets they just swept it under the carpet.... thank you for shining light on this issue.
Glad to see this being talked about. Animal ag is horrible for our planet and the time is now to end it
It’s sad that some folks are being defensive about the real environmental crises associated with animal “agriculture” but the facts are we have sustainable options to replace animal “farming” & we ought to consider them if we want to stop water shortages & our climate crisis.
Ag uses the most water in UT, mostly for alfalfa to feed cattle, and much of that goes out of the country. The farmers and ranchers have the most impact on the water use in UT, despite being the smallest group of people in UT. They should have to bear the consequences.
Animal ag is destroying life on earth, we have to address this if we truly care about earth and it’s resources
By and large few people in Utah give a rat’s ass about conservation, and it’s evident all around. People driving to work alone in gargantuan pickup trucks. Sprinkler systems watering grass regardless of weather. Ignoring “no burn” days and lighting charcoal. On and on…
Animal dairy is completely unnecessary for human health & causes great harm for both 🌎 & 🐮. There are so many delicious plantbased options to consume instead.
attacking ranchers & farmers, religious people, etc. -- the Trib's agenda.
The Tribune -- wanting to push out farmers and ranchers. No wonder only the far left pays your subscription fee. Radical far left propaganda rag.
Refreshing to see people talking about the real issue. Animal agriculture is destroying our planet in every way.
Here you go again...Every day same destructive narrative...
Um no