Short answer

Designers should prioritize water efficiency in livestock production by exploring alternative feed sources, optimizing production systems, and considering the full lifecycle impact of animal products.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE (2010)
Method: Global modelling and comparative analysis.
Evidence: Strong effect

The efficiency of water use in livestock production varies greatly depending on the production system, with intensive, feed-based methods consuming the majority of global water resources. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE. Using Global modelling and comparative analysis., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should prioritize water efficiency in livestock production by exploring alternative feed sources, optimizing production systems, and considering the full lifecycle impact of animal products.

Study

Resource ManagementHigh ImpactStrong effect

Livestock production accounts for 8% of global water use, with significant variations by system.

The efficiency of water use in livestock production varies greatly depending on the production system, with intensive, feed-based methods consuming the majority of global water resources.

Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE · 2010

Key Findings

01Livestock industries consume approximately 8% of the global water supply.
02Intensive, feed-based production systems are the primary users of this water.
03When protein is adjusted for biological value, plant protein and certain animal products like eggs, milk, and chicken/goat meat show comparable or superior water efficiency.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing agricultural technologies or food products, conduct a water footprint analysis to identify areas for reduction, particularly in feed production and animal husbandry.

Project actions

01Investigate the water footprint of different animal feed options.
02Explore designs for water recycling systems in animal housing.
03Compare the water efficiency of various protein sources for a specific dietary context.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the global water requirements for livestock production and analyze the efficiency of water use across different production systems.

MethodGlobal modelling and comparative analysis.

ProcedureThe study analyzed global water consumption data for livestock, considering its role in the human food chain and adjusting protein production for biological value. It compared water efficiency across different protein sources and discussed the multifaceted roles of livestock beyond food production.

ContextGlobal agricultural and food production systems.

Variables

IV["Type of livestock production system (intensive vs. extensive, feed-based vs. mixed)","Type of protein source (animal vs. plant)"]

DV["Water consumption per unit of product (e.g., per kg of protein)","Water use efficiency (e.g., protein produced per litre of water)"]

CV["Global scale of analysis","Biological value of protein for human diet"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a global perspective on a critical resource issue.
+Highlights the comparative efficiency of different food production methods.

Limitations

It can be challenging to accurately measure all water inputs for livestock production in a real-world scenario.

Reliability & validity

The study relies on global models, which may have inherent limitations in data granularity and regional specificity. The definition of 'water use' and the methods for calculating efficiency can influence results.

Think critically

How can design mitigate the high water demand of livestock production while ensuring food security and economic viability?

Design Principles

"Optimize resource utilization by considering the entire system and its inputs/outputs."

Understanding these water consumption patterns is crucial for designing more sustainable food systems. Designers and engineers can leverage this knowledge to develop innovative solutions that reduce water footprints in animal agriculture, impacting resource allocation and environmental sustainability.

What This Means for Your Design

Livestock farming uses a lot of water, especially when animals are fed grain. Some plant-based foods use water more efficiently than meat or dairy.

How to use in your project

1.Use the 8% global water consumption figure to justify the importance of water efficiency in your design project.
2.Refer to the comparison of protein sources to inform design choices for sustainable food products or systems.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The significant global water footprint of livestock production, estimated at 8% of the total, underscores the need for design interventions that enhance water use efficiency. Research indicates that intensive, feed-based systems are particularly water-intensive, and that certain plant-based proteins can be more water-efficient than animal proteins when adjusted for nutritional value, suggesting design opportunities in feed optimization and alternative protein development.

Source

Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE

Water requirements for livestock production: a global perspective

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about livestock production accounts for 8% of global water use, with significant variations by system?: Designers should prioritize water efficiency in livestock production by exploring alternative feed sources, optimizing production systems, and considering the full lifecycle impact of animal products. Evidence: Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE (2010).
Why does "Livestock production accounts for 8% of global water use, with significant variations by system." matter for design?: Understanding these water consumption patterns is crucial for designing more sustainable food systems. Designers and engineers can leverage this knowledge to develop innovative solutions that reduce water footprints in animal agriculture, impacting resource allocation and environmental sustainability.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should prioritize water efficiency in livestock production by exploring alternative feed sources, optimizing production systems, and considering the full lifecycle impact of animal products.
What were the main findings?: Livestock industries consume approximately 8% of the global water supply.. Intensive, feed-based production systems are the primary users of this water.. When protein is adjusted for biological value, plant protein and certain animal products like eggs, milk, and chicken/goat meat show comparable or superior water efficiency.
What research method was used?: Global modelling and comparative analysis..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing agricultural technologies or food products, conduct a water footprint analysis to identify areas for reduction, particularly in feed production and animal husbandry.
What are the limitations?: Global models may not fully capture the nuances of developing versus developed countries or specific production systems within them. Social and cultural aspects of livestock farming were broadly considered but not deeply analyzed.