A new study out of Australia found that the often-held suspicion that cattle fed via feedlot have a larger carbon footprint has been deemed as false. FoodSafetyNews has the story:
According to a University of New South Wales study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, Beef produced in feedlots has a smaller carbon footprint than meat raised exclusively on pastures. The study also found that the greenhouse gas impact of Australian beef and sheep meat production is equal to or lower than that of livestock raised in many countries.TruthAboutTrade.org backs up the new findings and parallels them to findings in the US:
In 2007, 13 per cent fewer animals were slaughtered than in 1977 (33.8 million versus 38.7 million), but those animals produced 13pc more beef (26.3 billion pounds of beef in 2007 versus 23.3 billion lb. in 1977). By producing more beef with fewer resources, Dr Capper found that the total carbon footprint for beef production was reduced 18pc from 1977 to 2007. "As the global and national population increases, consumer demand for beef is going to continue to increase," Dr Capper said. "The vital role of improved productivity and efficiency in reducing environmental impact must be conveyed to government, food retailers and consumers." Compared to beef production in 1977, Dr Capper found that each pound of beef produced in modern systems uses:In addition, modern beef production produced 18pc fewer total carbon emissions (methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide) than in 1977.
- 10pc less feed energy;
- 20pc fewer feedstuffs;
- 30pc less land;
- 14pc less water; and
- 9pc less fossil fuel energy.
