Excellent reply. The argument that animal protein production is more inefficient than directly eating the plant matter fed to the animal ignores the symbiotic relationship between plants and animals. Our extreme dependence on oil-based energy has tricked us into thinking that agriculture is sustainable without the use of animals. Of course, modern CAFOs are horribly wasteful as well, but that doesn&#x27;t mean the plant&#x2F;animal symbiosis isn&#x27;t vital to the whole process.<p>All very nicely illustrated by your work.