Book chapter
Successes and Problems with Measuring Water Consumption in Beef Systems
The Oxford Handbook of Food, Water and Society, pp.652-670
Oxford Handbooks, Oxford University Press
2019
Abstract
Beef production is considered to have a large water footprint, with values ranging from 3.3 to 75,000 L H20/kg. The water consumption in beef production is primarily associated with feed, estimated to be about 98%, with other requirements representing less than 1%. However, beef production is a complex system where cattle are often raised in different areas using a range of resources over their lifetime. This complexity is demonstrated using three countries with very different environments and production systems, namely Australia, Brazil, and Kenya. To achieve efficient water use in beef systems, and food systems more generally, a classification system that reflects how animals are managed, slaughtered, and processed is required. Methods for assessing water use in livestock systems, from production to consumption, need to be standardized, whilst also including the alternative uses, multiple uses, and benefits of a certain resource in a specific location.
Details
- Title
- Successes and Problems with Measuring Water Consumption in Beef Systems
- Authors/Creators
- Camille Bellet - University of LiverpoolMieghan Bruce - Murdoch UniversityJonathan Rushton - University of Liverpool
- Contributors
- Tony Allan (Editor) - King's College LondonMartin Keulertz (Editor) - American University of BeirutAnthony Colman (Editor) - Columbia UniversityBrendan Bromwich (Editor) - King's College London
- Publication Details
- The Oxford Handbook of Food, Water and Society, pp.652-670
- Series
- Oxford Handbooks
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005579425907891
- Copyright
- © Oxford University Press 2019
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
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