Case Study on the Impact of Water Resources in Beef Production: Corn vs. Triticale Silage in the Diet of Limousine × Podolian Young Bulls

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Agriculture accounts for 92% of the global freshwater footprint (WF), of which more than a quarter is used in livestock production for feed, mixing feed, watering animals and agricultural activities. This study shows that replacing maize silage with triticale silage in the diet of beef calves results in a relevant reduction in water consumption per cattle per day, without changing growth performance. It also shows how feed choice can help improve the water balance of livestock production, and thus reduce the pressure that the sector puts on water resources. ABSTRACT: In this study, we have included the water footprint (WF) in the process of optimizing animal feed rations. The global footprint of cattle production accounts for the largest share (33%) of the global water footprint of livestock production. Using two homogeneous groups of Limousine × Podolian young bulls, two different diets were compared: corn silage feeding (CSF), with a corn silage-based diet; and triticale silage feeding (TSF), with a triticale silage-based diet. Silage constituted about 41% and 46% of the feed composition (for CSF and TSF, respectively). Diets were characterised by the same energy and protein content. Despite the lower WF in the TSF group than in the CSF group (7726 vs. 8571 L/day/calf respectively), no significant differences were found in animal performances (i.e., daily weight gain and final weight), feed conversion or income over feed costs. These results show that simple production decisions can have a significant impact on water resource. Therefore, the use of triticale silage should be further promoted, especially in world regions with limited water resources where low WF feed formulation is more strategic than elsewhere.