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A Lifecycle assessment of beef and lamb supply chains from Australia to the USA market

Project start date: 15 March 2013
Project end date: 10 June 2014
Publication date: 30 June 2014
Project status: Completed
Livestock species: Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle
Relevant regions: National
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Summary

This study completed a Life cycle assessment (LCA) investigating resource use and environmental impacts from beef and lamb production in different regions of Australia.  The LCA study extended from production through to the wholesale distribution of a retail ready product in the USA.  The study investigated energy demand, water use, land occupation, greenhouse gas emissions and stress weighted water use.

Related articles:
Wiedemann S. G., Yan M.-J., Murphy C. M. (2015) Resource use and environmental impacts from Australian export lamb production: a life cycle assessment. Animal Production Science, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AN14647

Wiedemann, S., et al., Environmental impacts and resource use of Australian beef and lamb exported to the USA determined using life cycle assessment, Journal of Cleaner Production (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.073

Wiedemann Stephen, McGahan Eugene, Murphy Caoilinn, Yan Mingjia (2015) Resource use and environmental impacts from beef production in eastern Australia investigated using life cycle assessment. Animal Production Science, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AN14687

Henry Beverley K., Butler D., Wiedemann S. G. (2015) A life cycle assessment approach to quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change for beef production in eastern Australia. The Rangeland Journal 37, 273–283. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RJ14112

More information

Contact email: reports@mla.com.au
Primary researcher: Premise Toowoomba Pty Ltd