According to estimates derived from a Life Cycle Analysis, it takes on average 25L of water to produce 1L of milk (not 1,000L as we hear sometimes). And farms use less water today than before, as many have adopted conservation and recycling practices. The above number takes into account the water needed to grow feed for the cows (estimated 44% of the water footprint), barn cleaning (7%), allow calves and cows to drink (16%), as well as the water used upstream in the manufacturing of inputs like fertilizer and electricity (in regions powered by hydroelectricity). It also accounts for the irrigation water used to grow crops. Grass, corn and cereals eaten by cows do not need to be irrigated in the majority of milk-producing regions in Canada, thanks to sufficient rainfall. However, the places where crops need to be irrigated represent 68% of this water fooprint.
Learn more: https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/who-we-are/our-commitments/sustainability/water
