Water and energy usage for individual activities within Australian feedlots (B.FLT.0339 and B.FLT.0350)

Summary

An earlier study (FLOT.328) measured the environmental costs associated with the production of one kilogram of meat from modern Australian feedlots. As part of this project, factual information and data on water use was obtained via a detailed on-line survey of feedlot inputs and outputs including cattle numbers, intake and sale weights and dressing percentages. A recommendation from this work was the need to collect baseline information on the water and energy use associated with the various areas of activity with an Australian feedlot operation.

The current projects were undertaken to obtain this information by quantifying the clean water usage and indirect and direct energy usage from individual feedlot activities. Eight (8) feedlots were selected, representing a cross section of geographical, climatic and feeding regimes within the Australian feedlot industry.

Water meters and/or power meters were installed at these eight feedlots to allow collection of usage by individual activities. The major clean water usage activities include cattle drinking water, feed management, cattle washing, administration, repairs and maintenance and dilution of effluent. Similarly, activities that use a significant amount of energy include water supply, feed management, waste management, administration and repairs and maintenance.

The collected water and power meter data was supplemented with existing data collected on-site including fuel consumption (diesel, LPG) and cattle performance data. Performance data included market types, incoming and outgoing liveweights, dressing percentages, feed data and other parameters that allow HSCW gain to be estimated. Information was collected on a monthly basis.

The data collected during the period March 2007 to February 2008 was reported in the B.FLT.0339 report. To ensure all this data and information was presented in a suitable manner, two reports were compiled:

1. Water Usage at Australian Feedlots - presents a background literature review of water usage within individual activities of feedlots, data collection and results, as well as an analysis and discussion of the data collected during the first year of the study.
2. Energy Usage at Australian Feedlots - presents a review of total direct and indirect energy usage at feedlots, data collection and results, as well as an analysis and discussion of the data collected during the first year of the study.

A second year of data collection was undertaken during the period March 2008 to February 2009. Results of this work were presented in the B.FLT.0350 report. In addition to the data collected during the second year, the water and energy usage data was collated to a dataset spanning the full 24 months of the monitoring period. A framework, with accompanying factsheets, was also developed to assist feedlots to monitor and reduce their water and energy usage. To ensure all data and information was presented in a suitable manner, three reports were compiled:

1. Water usage 2007-2009 - presents a collation, analysis and discussion of the water usage data collected across the entire measurement period. It includes consumption within the major activities of cattle drinking water, feed management, cattle washing and other minor uses such as administration and sundry uses.
2. Energy usage 2007-2009 - presents a collation, analysis and discussion of total direct and indirect energy usage across the entire measurement period. It includes consumption within the major feedlot activities of feed management, water supply, waste management, cattle washing and other minor uses including administration and repairs and maintenance. In addition, indirect energy consumption within the areas of incoming and outgoing cattle and commodity delivery are included.
3. A framework for water and energy monitoring and efficiency in feedlots - outlines a framework for measuring and reducing water and energy usage at the feedlot. The framework is presented as a series of fact sheets and case studies.

A series of recommendations for further research were also outlined within the reports.

Related Resources

Water and energy usage for individual activities within Australian feedlots, MLA final report, 01 November 2011

A framework for water and energy monitoring and efficiency in feedlots