Crop deaths and field animals

Last reviewed: January 10, 2026

Quick Answer

This argument actually supports veganism: animal agriculture requires MORE crops (for feed), causing MORE field deaths, PLUS the intentional deaths of livestock. The math does not favor meat.

Evidence Summary

The claim: "More animals die from crop harvesting than from eating meat, so veganism causes more harm." Why this argument fails: 1. Animal agriculture requires MORE crops:

Livestock consume far more plants than the meat they produce
It takes 6-25 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of beef
Growing feed crops causes field deaths too
Meat production = field deaths + intentional slaughter **2.

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