Letter: One way to conserve water is eat less beef

November 28, 2021 (Salt Lake Tribune)

Utah is the second driest state. A way of conserving water would be to eat less beef. The U.S. Geological Survey website lists the gallons of water required to grow different foods and beef requires the most water.

1/4 lb beef: 460 gallons, 1 egg: 50 gallons, 1 lb corn: 110 gallons, 1 potato: 100 gallons.

Most of the alfalfa grown in Utah is used to feed cattle. The Utah Foundation points out that 82% of the developed water resources in Utah are used for agriculture and half of that is used to irrigate just one crop: alfalfa hay. It consumes more water each year than all the cities and towns in Utah put together.

Russell Patterson, West Valley City

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