816,600 GALLONS OF WATER FOR ONE COW

Still on the theme of virtual water, it takes an average 816,600 gallons of water to raise a cow or steer from birth to market over the course of three years in an industrial production system. The key figures are:

• 808,400 gallons for 18,700 pounds of pasture, feed and hay
• 6,300 gallons for drinking
• 1,900 gallons for farm cleaning
• 816,600 gallons in total, to produce
• 440 pounds of boneless beef.

A human diet that regularly includes meat requires 60% more water than one which is predominantly vegetarian. My thanks again to National Geographic magazine, April 2010.