We don't need cows to eat grass, I'm saying there's no proof that they are anything else other than carbon neutral. Ie. there is no real proof that livestock farming has a negative impact on global warming. Outside of the deforestation debate.
They don't eat the roots
lol, the grass grows back, and in areas where there is no animals eating it, the grass height (and carbon storage) will reach a plateau. If eaten the grass will keep growing back.
In a lot of farms the cattle eat grain, the straw can be used for some feed or even biofuel.
Deforestation is a different subject, in that it's bad for the environment no matter what the land is used for after removal of the jungle or woodland.
But as for the pastures that are already in use, unless new evidence comes to light, methane from cows is offset by carbon capture from grain or grass.
Grass grows and store carbon.
Cow eats grass.
Grass re-grows.
Cow farts.
Farts are worse for the environment but they disappear faster (fart in the wind)
Carbon dioxide is not a bad a green house gas, but it lingers for a lot longer.
So cow farts are carbon neutral.