The 3rd of December 2024
What would happen if the cows disappeared? Documentary will do away with unvarnished debate
Cows have been singled out as one of the biggest climate culprits of our time. Some even believe, under the pretext of a green agenda, that we would be better off if we were free of them. But would the world really be a better place if cows disappeared entirely? This is investigated by the documentary film "World Without Cows", which over the course of three years has visited over 40 different parts of the world and explored the impact of cattle on the economy, ecosystems, culture and nutrition - in order to bring facts into the debate.
Wednesday d. On 15 January, Alltech invites 700 guests to a Nordic premiere at the trade fair NutriFair. Here they show the ambitious documentary production - the film "World Without Cows", which examines the role of cows in the world - both now and in the future.
The documentary has been in the works since 2019. Here, Alltech's president and CEO Mark Lyons launched the Planet of Plenty project. A project that intends to strengthen collaboration across countries and industries to find science-based solutions for agriculture in its efforts to sustainably feed the world.
Must bring nuances into the debate
"World Without Cows" is a showdown with the sometimes unvarnished discourse that is used when the conversation turns to the role of cattle in a future that must be green and sustainable. In the film, we visit more than 40 places in the world, all of which have a close relationship with cattle, rooted in their unique history and culture.
Along the way, we hear from both farmers, agricultural and environmental scientists, and a wide range of other experts, who provide insight into the impact of cows on our world and the potential consequences of removing them.
One of those experts is Frank Mitloehner. Professor and air quality researcher who directs the CLEAR Center at the University of California, Davis:
"I'm not going to tell you that livestock has no impact or that it's a small impact," Mitloehner said. "Like all parts of society, animal agriculture has to do its part to help reduce our impact on the climate. We can and should do that. But we should not make up stories that these animals are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions. They are not responsible for the majority of emissions."
World Without Cows" is an 85-minute documentary filmed in 40 locations around the world over three years that examines the impact of cattle on economies, ecosystems, cultures and human nutrition.
Nordic premiere at the trade fair for livestock producers
The 85-minute long documentary will be shown on Wednesday 15 January after the first day at the NutriFair fair. After the film, there will be a panel discussion with some of the leading voices of the Danish cattle industry, who will together discuss the new research and knowledge brought into play in the film into a Danish context.
In Alltech Denmark, you can't wait until it's time for NutriFair, so that World Without Cows can have its Nordic premiere.
"It's a film that we at Alltech are incredibly proud of, so the fact that we can do such a large screening at NutriFair and really kick off a fact-based debate about the entitlement of cattle, which is the whole purpose of the film - I'm very excited about that for," says Morten Hansen, director of Alltech in Scandinavia and the Baltics, and continues: "When we look into the future of agriculture and especially cattle farming, it is absolutely fundamental that we ensure that the conversation that take place, takes place on a fact- and knowledge-based basis.”
At NutriFair, we look forward with excitement to the display, which fits right into the fair.
"I am very much looking forward to the fact that we can show "World Without Cows" at NutriFair. It is a successful film, which I believe will be able to contribute to something that we think is most important at our fair - namely that NutriFair is a platform for strong professional conversations about livestock production and the future we are moving towards," says Ida Brøgger Hahn , project manager at NutriFair.
To view World Without Cows at NutriFair, you must register for the screening:
Register here
World Without Cows" was written and directed by two award-winning journalists, Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, who spent three years visiting academics, scientists, farmers and other experts to gain a deeper understanding of the social, financial and environmental importance of cows.
Quotes from filmmakers and experts
Michelle Michaels, Journalist and co-creator of World Without Cows
“We had to tell the story. Farmers all over the world opened their doors to us”
Brandon Whitworth, Journalist and co-creator of World Without Cows:
"We talked to countless people around the world—different experts in a variety of different fields. And we asked the question: What does a world without cows look like?"
"This is not just an opinion-based conversation where people shout out their own thoughts and opinions. These are doctors, scientists, farmers and people who have first-hand experience and training in all of these fields. These are facts. This is science."
Jack Bobo, Head of Department at the Department of Food, University of Nottingham
"For 10,000 years, farmers have been told to do one thing, and that's to produce more food. We're adding a billion people every 11 or 12 years. The challenge is that every day between now and 2050 it's getting harder to feed world."
Justin Sherrard, Global Strategist, Rabobank
"Ultimately, we need to address all parts of the global food system,"
John Lynch, climatologist, University of Oxford
"What will the world look like in 30 or 40 years if we just continue to warm the planet and make extreme climate and weather events occur more often?"
"I think we could do a study and a lot of people would say, yes, cows are the worst thing in the world for the climate," he continues. "Cows are not the biggest contributor to climate change. They are still fossil fuels."
About "World Without Cows":
"World Without Cows" is a Planet of Plenty ® production. Working Together for a Planet of Plenty was launched in 2019 by Dr. Mark Lyons, President and CEO of Alltech, a global animal nutrition company. Planet of Plenty is a call for collaboration across industries and geographies to create and embrace science-based solutions that help agriculture deliver nutrition for all, revitalize rural areas and replenish the planet's natural resources. For more information, visit worldwithoutcows.com or join the conversation on social media.
More knowledge
At worldwithoutcows.com there is additional information about who is starring in the film. Here you can also watch the official trailer, as well as sign up for updates about the film and the universe around it.
The website provides a deeper exploration of the themes of "World Without Cows" as well as resources and opportunities to support turning this film into a movement - a broader, science-based conversation about cattle.
To learn more about the filmmakers' experiences and travels around the world, watch their behind-the-scenes video, "The Making of World Without Cows."
For further information, contact:
Henrik Mygind | Marketing Manager, Denmark | T +45 24 94 12 18 | Email: henrik.mygind@alltech.com
For additional image material and coordination of interviews, contact:
Hans Ole Carstens | Communications advisor, AgriKom | T +45 5095 4321 | Email: hc@agrikom.dk