Sustainability Of The U.S. Dairy Industry
This article presents a review of the sustainability of the U.S. dairy industry, particularly in light of its intensification in recent decades. The piece is authored by scientists from a variety of backgrounds who conclude that the industry is not well positioned to adapt to the changing environmental and social landscape. They point to five specific areas of weakness: 1) climate change, 2) globalization, 3) integration of societal values, 4) multidisciplinary research initiatives, and 5) the fast pace of scientific and technological innovations. Of interest to advocates is what the authors refer to as: “the growing divide between industry practices and public perceptions, resulting in less public trust.”
[Abstract excerpted from original source.]
“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 5 major factors affecting the sustainability of the US dairy industry: 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.”