How Much Feed to Produce a Pound of Beef?
[Update] A new study has found that Canada's beefiness industry has dramatically reduced its water footprint over the past several decades, and that trend is expected to continue. Larn more than at The Canadian Beef Water Footprint in Shrinking, published December 14, 2017
We recently received an electronic mail request: " I've read that it takes xvi lbs of found fabric and 5000 gallons of water to brand a pound of beefiness. How far from the truth is this? "
So we calculated just how much feed and h2o beef cattle do employ earlier they're harvested.
Feed
In terms of plant textile, because h2o content is college in some feeds than in others, feed utilize is measured on a dry out matter basis. Feed conversion (pounds of feed consumed per pound of alive animal proceeds) varies with the type of feed an beast is fed, how information technology is processed, etc. Current feed to gain ratios in a feedlot animal are almost 6lbs of feed per 1lb of live weight gain.
For example, if an animate being enters the feedlot at 500lbs and finishes at 1400lbs live weight (which will produce an 868lb carcass with 512lb of edible beef), that animal needs to gain 900lbs. At a 6:1 conversion, that's 5400lbs of total feed used.
5400lbs feed ÷ 512lbs beef =
10.6 lbs feed per pound of edible beef .
In western Canada, much of the feed used for feedlot cattle is either barley that didn't brand the grade for brewing, or sometimes wheat that didn't make the grade for staff of life milling, or grain that spoiled in storage. For instance, yous hear a lot nigh the rail shipping backlog leaving lots of grain on the farm. Given last year's bumper crop, a lot of that grain was stored on the ground and spoiled. Spoiled grain is no longer skillful for beer or bread, but it'south fine for cattle. Feeding information technology to cattle means that grain doesn't go to waste matter.
Back in the 1950'southward, feed conversion ratios were nigh 11:1, pregnant that information technology took nearly twice every bit much feed to produce a pound of beef. Genetic selection and innovations continue to better feed conversion in cattle.
Water
Based on average daily consumption numbers available hither, a beef animal that reaches slaughter weight at 21 months would probably drink about xviii,600 liters (4,091 gallons) of water. That fauna produces effectually 512 lbs of edible beef.
4,091 gallons ÷ 512lb beef =
eight gallons of water per pound of edible beef .*
Many cattle go to slaughter at earlier ages, in which instance that water apply number would be lower.
Cows utilise water, but they don't utilise it upwards. Water cycles. Just a very small fraction of the h2o consumed is retained in the torso. Most of the h2o that cattle potable continues to bicycle in the environment.
*Note that water used during processing was not included, nor water used for irrigation to grow feed (some parts of the state use irrigation, some don't), because accurate data is currently unavailable. Withal, we do know that both irrigation systems and packing plants have become much more efficient in water apply.
Progress
It is safe to say that every bit an manufacture, we're doing a lot better at using water than we used to. Back in the 1950'due south, cattle were closer to 3 years of age at slaughter, would take drank closer to l,000 liters (eleven,000 gallons), and produced a much smaller carcass (250 lb edible beef). It would have taken 44 gallons per pound of edible beef, instead of the 8 gallons per pound today. (That's even so a far cry from 5,000 gallons per pound!)
Canada's beef industry produces more beef now, using a lot less water and feed than we used to. That'southward skillful for farm economic science, and helps go on beef affordable for consumers. At the same time, improvements in feed efficiency also hateful that nosotros're producing less greenhouse gas and manure per pound of beef. That's good for the environment.
[Update] A new study has plant that Canada's beef manufacture has dramatically reduced its water footprint over the past several decades, and that trend is expected to continue. Learn more than at The Canadian Beef H2o Footprint in Shrinking, published December 14, 2017
To learn more, visit:
Questioning the beef manufacture's water use
Optimizing Feedlot Feed Efficiency
Environmental Footprint of Beef Product
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Source: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/cattle-feed-water-use-2014/
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