Sustainable dairy production refers to the practice of producing milk and dairy products in a manner that minimizes negative environmental, social, and economic impacts while ensuring the long-term viability and welfare of dairy animals. It involves adopting practices that promote environmental conservation, animal welfare, and social responsibility throughout the entire dairy production chain.
Agriculture has vast, extensive branches, and dairy is one of them. Dairy is for the long-term production of milk, meat and many other purposes. The products obtained from dairy are processed for sale. Dairy farming originated in Europe and Africa in the 17th century B.C.
What is Dairying:
Dairying also called dairy farming, which uses cows for milk production and many other products like cheese, buttermilk, etc.
Feeding the human population requires time, which is challenging at the same time. Besides vegetables and pulses, meat and milk are two of the most beneficial sources of nutrition worldwide. Global demand for dairy products is increasing day after day as the population increases, which is more than ternary over the last 50 years. More than 340 million tons are produced each year.
Asia is a meat and milk producer. It contributes 40–50 per cent of total shares to total production. Europe and North America were the highest meat and milk producers globally by 1961. In recent years, production shares have fallen to 19–15 per cent.
What is dairy farming?
It is a branch of agriculture that involves the raising of dairy animals, primarily cows, for the production of milk and dairy products. Dairy farmers manage and care for the animals, ensuring their health and well-being to maximize milk production.
Dairy farming and production refer to the combined activities involved in raising dairy animals, such as cows, goats, or sheep, and producing milk and dairy products from them. It encompasses the entire process from animal management and milk production to processing, packaging, and distribution of dairy products.
Dairy farming involves the care, management, and breeding of dairy animals to ensure their health and well-being. This includes providing appropriate housing, nutrition, and veterinary care, as well as managing reproduction and breeding programs to maintain and improve the quality and productivity of the herd.
History of Dairy Farming
Dairy farming has a history dating back to the Neolithic period when humans first domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats for milk. Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece valued dairy products like cheese and butter in ancient civilizations. In the Middle Ages, dairy farming remained a crucial part of European agriculture. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the significance of dairy farming increased. Today, dairy farming is a gigantic industry with great benefits.
Livestock animals:
Farm animals are reared for use and profit in agriculture. Livestock dominant animals are poultry (hens), cattle (beef, buffaloes), sheep, and goats. In some countries, pigs, horses, and ducks are also included in the livestock.
Dairy Industry Sustainability:
Dairy cattle play a part in feeding mortality through milk and associated dairy products. They’re considered an asset due to their nutritional and productive values. Cattle contribute 851.8 million tons, encyclopedically. Therefore, there is a considerable increase in products of about a million tons in 2019. In the world, dairy cows averagely yield 2300 kg of milk products per day. Global dairy exports were $42.2 billion, which expanded to $175 billion in 2015. Numerous dairy products are being used, followed by adulation, rubbish, milk grease paint, and numerous others. India is the biggest patron of the time, with 22 shares, encyclopedically, whereas the U.S. is alternate in product, followed by many countries like China, Pakistan, and Brazil. The top milk-producing countries in the US contributed about 20.0% of total public products.
Animal Welfare:
Animal welfare refers to the treatment that animals receive to get the best animal care and treatment. This protection of animals is done to bring peace to animals in terms of mental and physical health.
The Significance of Dairy Farming
Dairy farming plays a significant role in the global economy and in providing nutrients to animals with better care. Here are some:
1. Nutrition and Food Security
Dairy products are made up of vitamins, calcium, and proteins, which contain full fat and half fat. By ensuring safe food, it secures stability in nutritional value and quality.
2. Economic Impact:
Dairy plays a vital role in feeding the world’s population. It shows great potential in economic surveys and analysis. Milk adds 50.9 billion dollars, and other dairy products contribute 11.4 billion dollars to the economy.
3. Livelihoods and Rural Development
A livelihood program helps improve the quality of life with proper care, opportunities, and protection. Its main source comes from forests and livestock. They help develop rural communities to increase the production of agriculture and related fields.
4. Animal Husbandry:
It concerns the breeding of animals on farms. By improving management and cultivation.
5. Agricultural Sustainability:
It is farming in such a way that the environment is protected and natural resources are also restored. It contains elements like permaculture, agroforestry, and crop rotation.
6. Innovation and Research:
There are many innovations introduced in biotechnology, including rDNA technology, transgenesis, bio preservatives, recombinant enzymes, etc.
7. Cultural and Culinary Significance:
Culture is represented by food, which represents the preservation of history and the people who made it. It is important to know when and why things are introduced.
8-Global Nutrition:
It represents nutritional status across the world. Nutrition is the heart of development in all countries.
9-Dairy By-Products:
Milk is the product, whereas cheese, ghee, and buttermilk are byproducts.
Selecting the right breed for dairy:
Dairy cows should have long necks, and large udder with thin legs as these features will increase milk production. Animal selection is totally based on the factors that help in increasing farm production with good monitoring. feminity is encouraged in dairy cows as they have smooth muscling and clean fronts.
Here are some key features on which dairy cows are selected;
- Health condition
- Production Performance
- Longevity
- Linear type traits
- Welfare and Management
- Environmental performance
How does dairy feed increase animal nutritional assets?
Feeding the cow is considered the most important factor because it is directly related to milk production and farm management. Make sure that cows receive enough nutrients that will help them in reproduction and milk production. Here are some crucial aspects that will help in measuring the amount of feed and nutrients in dairy cows:
1. Requirements for nutrients:
Dairy cows need the following:
- Energy
- Protein
- Vitamins and Minerals
These nutrients must be present in adequate amounts for the milk to be produced. For this purpose, cows are given feed made up of forages like hay and silage.
2-Formulation:
Dairy cow’s feed must have equal amounts of food, supplements, and concentrates. It will help the farmers maintain the given production goals.
3. Feeding Management:
Farms have hundreds of cows, so it is impossible for a person to take care of the cows. For this purpose, every farm has automated feeders. Feeders are installed to encourage proper management. On some farms, nutritionists blend the diet and feed the cows.
Monitoring the cow is considered the most crucial point, as it helps identify the health of cows.
Computerized data must be encouraged to predict the performance of cows.
4. Water Uptake:
Cows must have easy access to fresh and clean water during the lactation period to avoid any unnecessary issues.
5. Environmental Considerations:
The environmental impact on the farm must be optimized to minimize the emission of gases. As it directly affects the health of cows
Dairy farming processing:
The process on the farm is hectic, but it ensures quality to avoid any contamination.
- Animal Management
- Milking and milk storage
- Dairy Product Processing
- Storage
- Quality Control
- Packaging and Distribution
Processing of Milk by Equipment:
Most Milking is done by machines which is preferable in the world. The second most common method is full hand method. Both these methods have the same importance.
By Machine:
Firstly milk is put into the vacuum pump After it is passed Through the milk pipeline the vacuum meter is maintained. The machine has a multilactor system in which flow meters are attached which maintain the pH of the milk Then it passes through a water tank which is the last stage. After that milk is processed.
By hand:
Cows have teat of funnel shapes. The thumb and fingers are pressed at the teat which then slide downward, by this milk flow to the bottom. and then it is transferred to the Bucket.
Milk Homogenization:
This was introduced by August Gaulin, in 1899. It is used to improve the appearance and taste of milk. In this milk is passed through high pressure. It is done to remove the cream layer with stable emission. In this pH of milk is maintained between 6.4 to 6.8 with a pure white colour. Homogenization is also known as micronization. In this temperature, flow rate, content of fat, and pressure are the main factors.
Products in Dairy Production
Dairy production yields a vast range of products that are used in daily life.
- Milk: It is used as an ingredient in other dairy products.
- Cheese: It is made from curd and fermented milk.
- Yoghurt: It is a fermented milk product.
- Butter: It is made from buttermilk.
- Ice cream: It is a frozen dessert made from dairy ingredients.
- Cream: used as a topping in different flavours.
- Dairy Desserts: These include products like custard and pudding, etc.
Dairy Hygiene Practices:
Safety and quality matter in dairy products, so maintaining hygiene to ensure the safety of the product is most important. Protection of dairy animals from different health issues and environmental factors helps to prevent contamination in milk. As milk is considered a direct product, any risk to hygiene can affect the reputation of the farm. Here are some suggestions for practising proper hygiene:
- Wash hands with soap before handling.
- Wear proper clothes and use sanitiser.
- Keep the farm clean at regular intervals.
- Sterilize the equipment at the end of the day.
- Store milk at the proper temperature in a clean and cool place.
- Train the workers to avoid mistakes.
- Maintain records for future use.
Every farm must make its own rules and regulations to promote a clean and friendly environment without sacrificing hygiene, whether it is related to humans or animals.
Initiatives and technologies for sustainability
Dairy production has a huge impact on the environment, so sustainability initiatives and technologies can help reduce this impact while also improving efficiency. Here are some suggestions to ensure productivity without impacting the environment:
- Farming should be precise. Animals should be given feed at the same time with the required amount of nutrients in it. For feasibility, milking should be done by machines to promote cleanliness. In this way, human error also decreases, and production can also be saved. Must take the data and records to avoid any confusion in the future.
- Avoid contamination of the soil and the leaching of nutrients. For this purpose, proper handling and treatments should be introduced. Manure and fertilizer must be handled professionally using the latest technologies.
- Implementation of wind turbines and solar panels should be encouraged, as they are renewable sources of energy and are more convenient than electricity. It is time-saving and budget-friendly.
- Effective irrigation and recycling of water are the game changers. As it is used for cleaning and cooling purposes, water must be used efficiently.
- Cows should be bred through selective breeding for increased milk yield and reduced environmental effects. After successful breeding, data must be kept for genomic selection.
- Enzymes and supplements should be added to feeds to improve their nutrient quality. Sustainable forage feeds should be encouraged to have a lower impact on the environment.
- Waste and other materials should be disposed of efficiently to avoid any disease. Safe handling should be encouraged with proper management.
- A certificate should be given to the environment-friendly farm to increase the trend of cleanliness in our surroundings.
- The government should collaborate with researchers, agencies, and institutes to promote the welfare of animals, humans, and the environment by practising sustainable technologies.
Conclusion:
Sustainable dairy products focus on reducing environmental impacts, similar to greenhouse gas emigrations and water operations, while optimizing resource effectiveness and animal welfare.
Dairy product practices can vary extensively depending on geographic position, artistic preferences, and profitable factors. Also, there’s an added focus on ethical considerations, similar to beast weal, and sustainability in dairy products to address environmental and social enterprises. During childhood and adulthood, products obtained from dairy always have a significant role in our daily lives, with great benefits and nutritional values.
Dairy is an integral part of food production and also has a great impact on economics and rural development. It still faces many challenges related to the environment, cows’ health, and limited research. Innovative Ideas and technologies should be introduced for the success of dairy production. Beyond these challenges, the main issue of the world is hunger which can be compensated with the help of dairy if the feed is of good quality. Dairy source is of vital importance in many societies influencing the health of humans in a positive way by using modern technology.
Ayesha Khawar
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
