The Hidden Story of Livestock | Anne Mottet, PhD

How do animals impact our environment, and what role should they play in sustainable food systems? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Anne Mottet, agro-economist and global lead for livestock at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), explores the complex relationships between livestock and climate change, land use, biodiversity, and water resources.

Dr. Mottet, who oversees $1 billion in livestock investments and has over 20 years of experience in research and international development, explains why the environmental impact of livestock depends heavily on how and where animals are raised. She discusses why half the land used by livestock can't be converted to crops, how grazing animals can benefit ecosystems when properly managed, and why 1.4 billion people worldwide depend on livestock for their livelihoods.

What you'll learn:

• Why removing livestock from marginal lands can harm biodiversity
• The difference between methane and CO2 in climate impact
• How livestock compare to transport in greenhouse gas emissions
• The role of animals in converting inedible plants to nutritious food
• How livestock can both improve and degrade soil and water systems
• Why food waste and production efficiency matter for sustainability
• The truth about water use in beef production
• The trade-offs between different types of animal products

Dr. Mottet also discusses the social and cultural importance of livestock, from providing savings accounts for people without bank access to enabling crop production through animal traction on half the world's farmland. Whether you're concerned about climate change, curious about sustainable agriculture, or trying to make informed food choices, this episode offers a science-based perspective on both the benefits and risks of livestock in our food systems.

Find Dr. Anne Mottet's work at IFAD. Connect with her on X and Instagram.

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