Environmental Sustainability of Beef Production Has Improved Considerably Over Last 30 Years
Submitted on Jul 28, 2010 (Original item from 2010)
Farmed Animals | Environment | Factory Farming | Meat, Dairy, Egg Consumption
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Short Description:
In a study funded by the U.S. Beef Checkoff program, a Washington State University researcher conducted a historical analysis of the environmental footprint of the production of a pound of beef, concluding that the environmental sustainability of beef production has improved over time.
Abstract:
This study modeled the environmental impact of the 1977 U.S. beef industry, which produced 23.3 billion pounds of
beef from 38.7 million slaughtered cows and compared it to 2007 figures of 26.3 billion pounds of beef from from 33.8 million cows. The study considered resource inputs and waste outputs resulting from animal nutrition and metabolism, herd population dynamics, and cropping parameters. More specifically, the inputs examined included feedstuffs, water, land, fertilizers and fossil fuels, while the outputs examined included manure and greenhouse gas emissions.
From 1997 to 2007, production of beef increased by more than 13%, but from 13% fewer animals. According to this research, when compared with the system in 1977 each pound of beef produced under the 2007 system used:
- 18% decrease in total carbon emissions (methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide)
- 30% less land
- 20% less feedstuffs
- 14% less water
- 10% less feed energy
- 9% less fossil fuel energy
Spot Check Number:
1432
Sponsor:
Washington State University
Animal Type:
Farm Animals, Cows
Record Type:
Survey Summary
Research Method:
Literature Review
Geographic Region:
United States National
Number of Participants:
Not Applicable
Population Descriptors:
U.S. Beef industry
Year Conducted:
2010
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