Why is the water footprint of raising livestock so high?

A water footprint is an indicator that measures the direct and indirect freshwater use by a consumer or producer. It includes the total volume of freshwater consumed, evaporated, and polluted during the production process. In the context of raising livestock, the water footprint refers to all the water consumed during the various stages of livestock production, including feed production, animal husbandry, and processing.

Several factors contribute to the high water footprint in raising livestock. These factors include the following: 1. Feed: Animals require large quantities of feed, which in turn requires huge volumes of water to produce. Growing crops for feed consumes a significant amount of water through irrigation, and processing feed from crops also adds to the water footprint. 2. Drinking water: Livestock animals need drinking water to survive, and generally consume more water per unit of body weight than humans. 3. Cleaning and sanitation: Livestock housing and equipment need regular cleaning and sanitation to maintain hygiene and prevent diseases. Water is used both for cleaning and to dilute waste by-products. 4. Processing: After the animals are slaughtered, their meat is processed, which also consumes large amounts of water for cleaning, chilling, and production of various meat products.

To illustrate the high water footprint of raising livestock, we can look at the water consumption of specific types of animal production: 1. Cattle: Cows require large amounts of feed crops such as corn, soybeans, and alfalfa, which have high water requirements for growth. Additionally, cattle also have high water consumption for drinking, which increases with size, metabolism, and temperature. On average, it takes approximately 15,400 liters of water to produce one kilogram of beef. 2. Poultry: While poultry has a lower water footprint than cattle, it still requires considerable water resources for feed production and drinking. Approximately 4,300 liters of water are used to produce one kilogram of chicken.

Comparing the water footprint of raising livestock to that of alternative protein sources helps underscore the high water use in livestock production. For instance, producing one kilogram of soybeans requires approximately 2,150 liters of water, while producing one kilogram of lentils requires only 1,250 liters. By comparing these numbers, it becomes evident that the water footprint of livestock raising is significantly higher than alternative protein sources from plants. In conclusion, the water footprint of raising livestock is high due to the significant water consumption involved in feed production, drinking water for the animals, maintaining hygiene, and processing of the meat. By understanding these factors and comparing the water footprint of livestock with other protein sources, we can better appreciate the environmental implications associated with livestock production.