Total freshwater consumption when raising cattle was found to decline 18% in the five years to 2020 and was 400L per kg liveweight. This was 73% lower than the five years to 1985.
This data came from the 2023 Life Cycle Analysis conducted by Integrity Ag (as commissioned by Meat & Livestock Australia, 2024 under project 'Trends Analysis of the Australian Beef Industry 2020').
This is a calculation of the blue water footprint and includes cropping and pasture irrigation, livestock drinking water, and associated supply losses.