Invited review: Sustainability of the US dairy industry

Abstract

The US dairy industry has realized tremendous improvements in efficiencies and milk production since the 1940s. During this time, farm and total cow numbers have decreased and average herd size has increased. This intensification, combined with the shift to a largely urban public, has resulted in increased scrutiny of the dairy industry by social and environmental movements and increased concern regarding the dairy industry's sustainability. In response to these concerns, a group of scientists specializing in animal welfare, nutrient management, greenhouse gas emissions, animal science, agronomy, agricultural engineering, microbiology, and economics undertook a critical review of the US dairy industry. Although the US dairy system was identified as having significant strengths, the consensus was that the current structure of the industry lacks the resilience to adapt to changing social and environmental landscapes. We identified several factors affecting the sustainability of the US dairy industry, including climate change, rapid scientific and technological innovation, globalization, integration of societal values, and multidisciplinary research initiatives. Specific challenges include the westward migration of milk production in the United States (which is at odds with projected reductions in precipitation and associated limitations in water availability for cattle and crops), and the growing divide between industry practices and public perceptions, resulting in less public trust. Addressing these issues will require improved alignment between industry practices and societal values, based upon leadership from within the industry and sustained engagement with other interested participants, including researchers, consumers, and the general public.

Dairy farm profit according to the herd size, milk yield, and number of cows per worker

“…The significantly increased demand for dairy products in the large emerging economies, many of which cannot be supplied domestically, has increased the magnitude of the global dairy trade (von Keyserlingk et al 2013). The current economic situation is complicated; the consequences of the economic crisis are still visible and the companies are searching for ways to achieve the growth (Hýblová 2014).…”

“…The current economic situation is complicated; the consequences of the economic crisis are still visible and the companies are searching for ways to achieve the growth (Hýblová 2014). At the same time, advances in the genetics, nutrition, and herd management have resulted in the increased milk yields and an associated reduction in the numbers of farms and cows in many countries (von Keyserlingk et al 2013). The improvement of agricultural productivity is a consequence of a more efficient use of the production factors (Špička and Machek 2015).…”

“…Bailey et al (1997) concluded that only dairy herd sizes in the range of 500 to 1 000 cows would be economically viable for the start-up operations. Von Keyserlingk et al (2013) added that large herds tended to increase the production and to reduce the unit cost of milk, mainly as a result of spreading fixed costs across more production. In most countries with milk processing industries operating on a high level, farm income from milk sales is determined by the milk yield, the milk components (fat, protein, and lactose), and the milk quality (e.g., somatic cell counts) (Wolfova et al 2007).…”

Dry period length of dairy cows : milk composition and quality

“…During the last century, the dairy chain has developed rapidly, from farm level to the dairy plant (von Keyserlingk et al, 2013). The average milk yield of dairy cows in Western countries has increased over 3-fold since the first half of the last century (Capper et al, 2009, Kristensen et al, 2015.…”

“…The increased demand for long shelf life products such as ultra-high temperature milk, and globalisation of the dairy product market, have also increased the quality requirements of raw milk (ZuivelNL, 2014). Ongoing developments in dairy farming, such as increasing milk production of cows and increasing attention for sustainability and animal welfare, require optimisation of dairy cow management (von Keyserlingk et al, 2013). Optimising the dry period length of dairy cows could be a way to improve cow health, whilst maintaining high quality milk.…”