11/03/06 Green myths

Green Myths The "green" movement likes to quote myths when talking about production. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll answer some myths in one minute The Center for Science in the Pubic Interest a group that likes to be on the green bandwagon has just released a new book by Michael Jacobson entitled, "Six Arguments for a Greener Diet." This book is said to be a who's who of red meat myths. You know if you don't like the high quality protein product I produce  don't eat it, but don't use myths to try to convince others not to enjoy what is part of a healthy diet. One myth used by beef critics  it only takes 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat, but 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University has found irrigated wheat needs 151 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat. According to CAST 1999 Animal Agriculture and Global Food Supply Report producing one pound of boneless beef takes 435 gallons of water. Another dandy myth  the water used to produce 10 pound of steak can provide for a vegetarian family for an entire year. Ok, we just learned one pound of beef produced uses 435 gallons of water so 10 pounds uses 4,350 gallons. A little more arithmetic shows a family of four would each get three gallons of water per day. That would yield about 1/3 of an ounce of wheat per day. Bon'apetite. I'm Jeff Keane. National Cattlemen Fall 2006