Vegan or Meat Consumer, it does not depend at all.

If you go to hypermarket and buy a steak produced in meat factory or you go to hypermarket and buy a tomato from Spanish Greenhouse where a new Slavery in Europe is in place, the problem is still the same - no care about the production&distribution string, as well as the consequences.

Have a wonderful meat filled day if your meat is from animals which are treated with some respect during their life and execution.

Have a wonderful veggies filled day if your veggies are produced by your favorite farmer, or better, if you have your own garden.

It is not a fault of vegans that soy is being produced and consumed. For example Tofu is being consumed even by meat consumers, dont you think?

Do you think that a mass consumption of meat and the meat factories is better? I guess no! :)
Balance is the key. If there is too much meat eaters, a counterweight should appear to keep it balanced,
and vice versa. So naturally, vegans appeared as a counterforce to masses eating only meat or having it as the very primary source of energy income.

Permaculture also says that there are few topics which are not recommended to be discussed, because such talks will never end and you will not find a consense - use of drugs, religion, sex - and also dietary preferences. Just a loose of time you can use somewhere else and produce something positive.

Oh and yes, Cattle is great!

Something from history for your article:

Before settlers moved west, the prairies were covered with herds of grazing animals, such as buffalo, elk, deer, and rabbits. These animals increased the growth in prairies by adding nitrogen to the soil through urine and feces, and creating open areas for plants that like to have the soil dug up. Prairie dogs dug huge underground tunnel systems which aerated the soil and allowed water to reach several feet below the surface.
Today very little of the original prairies survive, only one to two percent. Much of the land has been turned into agricultural uses, urban areas are moving in, and fires are being suppressed. The genetic and biological diversity of the plants are disappearing. The herds of thousands of buffalo were all but wiped out. There is a strong movement to educate people about prairies. Many states are rehabilitating what is left of their prairies and reintroducing the native wildlife and plants.

Source: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie.htm

Nowadays, it is a very special occassion if you can buy a meat made of animals who can enjoy grass and some decent space to live in - instead of it, consumers ask for a good price and quantity - and growth hormones, antibiotics etc are being used just to respond the demand for meat. Lucky those who can say - I never bough a steak from meat factory. Thanks meat eaters, do you really care about our planet?

Enjoy your burger!