Dairy Farming
Dairy farmers care about their farms, their animals and the land they work. Environmental practices on dairy farms are regulated by both federal and state agencies. Not only do farmers consistently meet these regulations, but dairy farmers constantly work to improve sustainability practices.
Dairy cows need barns. Cows enjoy the dry, cool environments that barns provide. Cows must rest to digest their food, so dairy farmers fill barns with various bedding materials. Cows are free to roam the barn, including eating and drinking when they please, so barns are cleaned daily.
The dairy industry’s smaller environment footprint. The U.S. dairy community has a strong track record of taking care of animals, air, land and water, and is a leader in environmental stewardship efforts. In fact, the U.S. dairy industry conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) in 2008–the first in food agriculture on a national scale. The LCA focused on fluid milk and showed the industry accounts for:
less than 2% of total emissions in the United States.
5.1% of water use
3.7% of U.S. farmland