Evaluation of the Water Footprint of Beef Cattle Production in Nebraska

Authors

Tyler J. Spore, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Mesfin Mekonnen, Daugherty Water for Food Global InstituteFollow
Christopher M.U. Neale, University of Nebraska - Lincoln & Daugherty Water for Food Global InstituteFollow
Andrea K. Watson, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
James C. MacDonald, West Texas A&M University & University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Comments

2020 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Abstract

Data were compiled on feed usage to model the amount of water needed to produce beef in typical Nebraska production systems. Production systems where cows were wintered on corn residue utilized 18% less water than systems utilizing native range as a wintering source, because of water allocations. Therefore, the water footprint (gallons of water required to produce one pound of boneless meat) was decreased by 18%. In addition, increasing the dietary inclusion of distillers grains from 0% to 40% decreased the water footprint in the finishing phase by 29%, again based on water allocation. Utilizing corn residue and distillers grains in Nebraska beef cattle systems decreases the overall water footprint of production. Additionally, the water footprint of the systems analyzed was 80% green water as rain, minimizing the environmental impact of beef production on freshwater use and ecological water balance.