…that even though organic farms have the eco-friendly benefit of using fewer pesticides, they also use more land, which is harmful to the planet.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia analyzed organic crop farming across 17 criteria — such as yield, impact on climate change, farmer livelihood and consumer health — by looking at the existing scientific literature on its results.
For one, they found the environmental benefits of organic farming can be offset by the lower yields of such crops (typically 19 to 25 percent lower than conventional farming).
Religions (like “organic”) just need believers with faith, not facts.
I have yet to discover a single American … who ate so many healthy vegetables … that they received harmful doses of pesticides. Notwithstanding the “true believers” in our “toxic society” … not a single American has been harmed by eating … too many vegetables … EVER.
Similarly, I am still looking for the American who has been harmed by eating … too much fish (from mercury poisoning)
Here in the West, we have so thoroughly removed all want or need from our society that we strain at the gnat of … “a toxic lifestyle”. Completely ignoring things such as parts per MILLIONS (most cannot do basic math) … “background” levels present in nature … etc. We all want to be “special”, with “special knowledge” (gnosis) that is … “often hidden from the general public” (how often do you hear THAT phrase?). We seem completely willing to abandon logic and truth … to PROVE our own superior opinion.
Somethings taste better when not mass produced.
It organic farming really only yield 19 to 25 percent lower, then organic farmers come out ahead. Here in West L.A., where politics are bluest of the blue, organic products general sell at least 50% higher, with no lack of buyers.
The problem is, the world cannot afford organic farming, small scale non-machine farming, non-GMO farming. We in the U.S. feed the world, (we are huge exporters, almost everyone else is an importer of food) and we do it with scientific advances to improve yield per acre and drought resistance, and less waste through spoilage. Global production of almost every staple grain has broken records almost annually. And it is done by conscientiously making the best use of resources, including land, not by knowingly reducing productivity by 25%.
Relatively, food is incredibly cheap in the U.S., and still is even with the added 50% for “organic.” And the limo liberals have every right to only put what they think is the best into their system. Just don’t tell me how much you care about “the poor,” “the environment,” or “the world.”
And does “organic” really mean better? As Kenji said, he has never heard of an American harmed by eating too much vegie. And Americans have not only been eating food raised with chemical fertilizers in an environment made insect free by chemical insecticides, for years they have been eating GMO food.
Sort of related to that, I spent my childhood in then still third world Hong Kong, where the rainy season is in the hot summer, and with pools of water everywhere, it was perfect for breeding mosquitoes. We slept in mosquito tents, but to get rid of the mosquitoes, our mothers sprayed DDT mist every night in the whole house before going to bed, especially around the beds and in the kitchen. And I have not heard of a single incident of cancer attributed to overexposure to DDT. I really believe biological and medical researchers torture the research methods and data to the extreme to come up with links between chemicals and cancer. That is the government research grant syndrome, you have to cry wolf to obtain any grant. I don’t say that there is absolutely no link, but I believe most of the research is based on false premises, and one will not be able to see the tree of true linkage for the forest of faulty research.
I think yields are much lower than 25%. And the quality far worse and less consistent leading to more spoilage and other losses.
But if the consumer wants to pay for it – let them. As long as the labelling does not imply that the means of production are ‘greener’ or more sustainable than conventional options.
How many of you guys are actually involved in production agriculture? The number one concern of most farmers is chemical resistance. On our farm, non issue. Modern science is scrambling (and failing) to keep ahead of the pests using the ‘kill it if it’s in your way’ methods. We don’t do that anymore and everything goes much better. By the way, who wants to improve yields with a glut of wheat, and 50 percent waste from field to consumer?
H
“And land conversion for agriculture is the leading contributor to habitat loss and climate change.”
Its a great study if you believe in AGW. Otherwise, just more tax dollars down the drain.
Check out the 12+ pages of chemicals, pesticides allowed on organic production.
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=9874504b6f1025eb0e6b67cadf9d3b40&rgn=div6&view=text&node=7:3.1.1.9.32.7&idno=7#sg7.3.205.g.sg0
Stop forcing farmers to grow organic crops, and stop forcing consumers to buy and eat them.
Hey, another gov’t funded study. He who pays the piper calls the tune…
I’m from the gov’t and here to help…
By the way, who wants to improve yields with a glut of wheat, and 50 percent waste from field to consumer?
Yeah, if there was a shortage of food they wouldn’t be using so much to make ethanol. Any shortages are always caused by politics, nothing to do with style of farming.
Let’s see…
I have a degree in horticulture (minor in biz);
Managed or was owner of production operations in NL, ON and BC (can anyone else in the world claim that?) in nine different crops and over ten thousand acres for a total of 12 years, consulted in the field for eight more.
Resistance is NOT the biggest concern and hasn’t been for many years. Modern science which includes sophisticated crop rotation and other cultural practices ensure that.
And the Constant has been lower costs through higher yields. Andjudging by the number of acres in production wheat remains a profitable option unless you are some kind of hubris-laden Luddite lefty who won’t adapt to change.
“And judging by the number of acres in production wheat remains a profitable option.”
And an option I would invest in. Wheat is bread(among other uses) and it is the staff of life.(wheat is water intensive and so those with the water have power)
I vote and invest in life, any other vote is likely to decline.
So let it be said, which it already has been, and let it be done.(AMEN)
Let the water poor nations tremble at this thought. Oppose us(I’m thinking of you Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and you and those you cleave to you will starve.
that reminds me, I gotta keep an eye on the weather sose I can hit my 4 fruit trees with some trusty oil.
if’n only this late fr-fr-fr-freezing weather would scoot.
My cousin-in-law is completely happy about this organic nonsense. Fertilizer was one of his biggest costs. Lower yields with higher resale value and lower costs? – he loves it.
Yup. A sucker used to be born every minute, then they legalized abortion and amoralized legal immigration.
Now suckers are born so often that minutes are considered to be racist.
lol that shoujd be todays head line everywhere
billions of words expended solving nothing, proving nothing and yet we will continue the jabber fest until there really is not enough food to go around. the planet is finite piece of dirt no matter what anyone says. much like a large farm it is possible to reach the carrying capacity. we have been able to expand food production with technology and chemicals, we cannot go back to getting down on our knees and digging in the dirt and produce adequate food.
Exactly. While there have been many deaths due to tainted organic foods in the last few years.
Stradivarious, exactly. Using food producing acres to produce fuels that are abundantly available is a crime.
Gord Tulk, “Resistance is NOT the biggest concern and hasn’t been for many years. Modern science which includes sophisticated crop rotation and other cultural practices ensure that. “. As a crop producer for almost forty years I would have to agree.
Old white guy sums it up well.