The Energy Cost of Beef

There is constant noise surrounding the fact v. myth debate involving the health effects of meat-based and plant-based diets. I decided to circumvent the health issues in an attempt to compare the two diets on a much more concrete level. Using numbers stated by cattle ranchers, the U.S. government, and people analyzing both sides, I tried to weave together a cohesive analysis of the energy costs related to raising beef for food as well as those related to soybean agriculture. I was unable to find sources comparing these two data points directly, but found a considerable amount of information about soy as it is used to create bio-fuels. I married this data with the data I found about beef production in order to create the presentation below.

Sources:

From Mid-East Oil to London Broil: A Comparison of Energy Inputs in Feedlotversus Grass-Fed Beef
by Jivan Lee, Diana Nezamutinova & Todd Paul
November 2005, Acres U.S.A.

University of Michigan Blog

Biodiesel Energy Balance
by Jon Van Gerpen and Dev Shrestha
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
University of Idaho

Soy Powered Bus
A Joint Study Sponsored by:
U.S. Department of Agriculture and
U.S. Department of Energy
Final Report
May 1998

Excellent New York Times article