Sustainability Report Tells Positive Story About Dairy

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy just released the 2023-2024 Dairy Sustainability Report, and it tells a good story about U.S. dairy.  Emily Bishop, senior vice president of social responsibility for the Innovation Center, said the report proves that dairy farmers care about food production and the environment.

“This report matters because it tells dairy’s story with facts, data, and credibility, especially at a time when expectations around food health and how food is produced continue to rise," Bishop noted.  "We're seeing from nutrition and wellness to environmental stewardship and animal care, stakeholders are asking more questions than ever, and if dairy doesn't tell its own story, someone else will, and they may not always get it right. So, this report celebrates farmers’ many decades of commitment to caring for their land, cows, and communities, and so, these proof points matter. They help protect dairy’s social license and position U.S. dairy both at home and globally."

Producers Excited To See The Report

“It's wonderful," said Lolly Lesher, a dairy farmer from Pennsylvania.  "So, it shows our consumers that the dairy industry, specifically, is moving forward and making big changes, step by step, on each and every farm to do a better job. It's a constant improvement. It's a reflection of our desire to take really good care of our cows, our kids, our water, our land, and our community. I think it's saying, ‘Good job, and keep doing a good job. You're doing great, and it's being noticed.’ People are making mention of the things that we're doing as improvements, and they should feel proud of what they're doing and continue to work on those areas where they may have some more growth opportunities, but they've done a great job, and we should continue and praise them.”

What are the key takeaways for Bishop?

“The key takeaway here is we have data proving farmers are producing more milk with fewer resources per gallon," she said.  "So, just to give you an example, since 2007, farmers reduced greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk by nearly 15 percent, while increasing milk production by over 30 percent. The report also demonstrates how the U.S. dairy community is nourishing people and combating food insecurity in the nation. More than one and a half billion servings of dairy were delivered to families in need just in the past year through Feeding America. Together, these proof points really demonstrate an industry making measurable progress responsibly, transparently, and with farmers really leading the way.”

The Dairy Industry Has Made Several Key Changes

Dairy farmers should be proud of how far the industry has advanced its sustainability.

“We are honored to share dairy farmers’ stories and nourishing more people than ever while doing so responsibly and sustainably," Bishop added.  "This report exists to make sure that progress is documented, understood, and recognized. This way, the investments farmers are making today continue to earn trust in the marketplace, shape future expectations, and really strengthen dairy's position for the long term.”

Click Here to read the entire report.

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