European Dairy Association examines sustainability at forum
The European Dairy Association employed several methods to examine sustainability of the dairy industry globally at its World Dairy Forum in Cologne, Germany, not the least of which was a dancing cow (pictured). That being said, speakers had a serious message for the audience. Susanne Clausen of the Knowledge Centre in Aarhus, Denmark, noted that the dairy farmer has to not only to be competitive compared to other dairy farmers, but also to other types of farming, and to alternative uses for non-agricultural purposes. The farmer has a business to stay in business over time, but the conditions that s/he works under are changing, as market conditions become more volatile. Adaption is key, and this includes not only improving farmers’ skills, but getting added value to products, having more cooperation in the dairy chain, and a plan for succession on-farm. Price volatility also calls for more flexibility in farm structure and higher solvency ratios on farms in some areas, Clausen points out.
Meanwhile, Donald Moore of the Global Dairy Platform told the assembled about the drive to develop a global sustainability initiative, the Dairy Sustainable Framework. Global food challenges will require efficiency in food handling and better use of food resources, he notes. Global dairy demand is expected to reach 900 million tonnes of fresh milk equivalents, which woul require 83 million additional cows worldwide. The GDP has conducted reviews of more than 80 dairy and non-dairy sustainability initiatives from around the world, and has also conducted more than 100 interviews, as well as holding workshops. On a global level, the plan is to have an overarching global sustainability vision for the dairy sector, while regionally, there will be prioritisation of issues at that level for continuous improvement. The framework is now in its testing phase, and regional stakeholders will be consulted as the operating model is developed, he says. It should be presented at the IDF Summit at the end of this month.
