why is it a problem that it takes so much water to produce 1kg of beef – something like 15,000 liters – if the cows just pee it all back out anyway?

Question

why is it a problem that it takes so much water to produce 1kg of beef – something like 15,000 liters – if the cows just pee it all back out anyway?

In: 10104

Answer 1

Actually it’s kind of a myth, 1kg of beef uses around 550 liters. The 15.000 liters are calculated through a method that takes into account « green water », which is basically water raining on the space the cow needs, and it makes up for about 95% of the 15.000 liters.

[Source](https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/water-use-and-beef-what-we-know/).