Environmental Impact Evaluation of Beef Production in Veracruz Using Life Cycle Assessment

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) was utilized to compare the potential for climate change, acidification and human toxicity associated with the production of boneless beef sold to the consumer through two chains of production in Veracruz, Mexico. An intensive method based on feedlot finishing and highly technified transformation and marketing procedures was analyzed and compared to an extensive livestock- farming model up to the finishing period and adopting low technology transformation and marketing procedures. The potential impacts on every category studied were greater in the intensive chain. More methane from enteric fermentation was generated in the extensive chain due to lower quality feed compared to feedlot finishing, however the latter is associated with greater impact within the intensive chain because of production and processing of the feed raw material.