What is the effect of increased cultivated farm land for crops instead of grazing?

Question

What is the effect of increased cultivated farm land for crops instead of grazing?

Answer 1

More food can be produced on an acre by planted crops for direct human consumption, both in quantity/ quality and in calories/ nutrients, then on an acre used to graze meat animals or produce their food. Though meat is a complete protein source, the added fats are not good for human consumption in any amount, and combined vegetable sources of protein are much better for the body, both in terms of their quality, and in terms of how the body processes them.

Answer 2

You can feed more people.

Answer 3

The effect is that land which is cultivated continually ends up nutrient poor and needs more and more fertilizer over the years to keep producing.  Yes, you'll get more crop foods, but then when there is an over abundance, the overall field crop prices are going to drop.  Say you plant all corn instead of grazing cows.  Now you've got more corn than anyone can use, and you have to sell it for pennies to get rid of it.

And, grazing isn't just cows.  It's sheep and goats as well.  Less cheese, less milk, less wool....  and the prices of those products will skyrocket.

So, it's bad for the environment and the economy both.