Wuerthner's view is that cattle are the cause of many environmental problems. He states that cattle grazing leads to reduced plant cover which contributes to faster run-off, flooding, and desertification of the landscape. He points out that according to the EPA, livestock grazing is the second largest cause of soil erosion. Cattle ranchers demand predator control, which influences wolf and grizzly bear populations, while other native species, such as elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep, must compete with the cattle industry for their survival. He believes that grasslands need to be grazed in order to prevent dangerous wildfire.
Grazed land is often too dry, too cold, or otherwise unsuitable for crop production.
Cattle grazing on such land produces high protein food from forage that humans can not digest while allowing for the development of high biodiversity on untilled land. Avery argues that the belief that livestock are responsible for one third of all rainforest destruction is a myth. He feels that we need to end overgrazing in underdeveloped countries by giving clear titles to grazing lands, offering better animal health care, and introducing rotational grazing systems to these areas. He believes that feedlot cattle are the problem, producing only one pound of food in exchange for 2.25 L gasoline, 4.8 kg grain, and 3,000 L water. Savory says that grass-fed range beef can play a vital role in reversing the destruction they have caused.