Cool and delicious, those jugs of milk in the grocer’s refrigerator likely got their start on a local family farm. Farm families have produced milk for America’s tables for decades and 98 percent of all U.S. farms are still owned by individuals and families1. The milk you pull out of the dairy case helps contribute jobs, income and vitality to hundreds of communities.
Nationwide, the dairy industry has an annual economic impact of more than $100 billion2 and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide. About 9.3 million cows in the United States produce more than 190 billion pounds of fluid milk annually, a greater supply than any other country in the world3. From it, the United States produces a variety of high-quality dairy products for consumption at home, as well as for export around the world.
Those gallons of milk contribute to healthy diets, just as they do to a healthy economy. Together, milk, cheese and yogurt provide a unique package of nine essential nutrients. In addition, milk is the No. 1 source of four nutrients for youth ages 2 - 18: calcium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin D4. Part of our commitment to sustainability is the dairy industry’s commitment to always provide these nutritious foods and beverages for people.
Stewards of the earth
From the early years of this nation and to this day, farmers have been environmental stewards, living on and caring for the land. Best practices are passed on from generation to generation, and new practices constantly emerge from farmers who are vigilant about protecting the soil, water and air for their families, surrounding communities and future generations.
Reducing dairy’s carbon footprint
Dairy businesses of all kinds have a long history of using sustainable best practices to increase efficiency, reduce costs and preserve natural resources. And, according to Cornell University, the dairy industry has reduced the carbon footprint of its products by 63 percent over the past 60 years,
5 thanks to improvements in animal breeding, feeding rations, animal health programs, cow comfort and overall farm management practices. In fact, more milk is produced today with only 9 million cows than with 23 million cows in 1944.
Today, the University of Arkansas Applied Sustainability Center estimates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the dairy industry at less than 2 percent of total GHG emissions in the United States.
That’s still too much
Growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and increasing pressure for regulation encourage us to respond thoughtfully and innovatively. With the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment, we’re taking a proactive approach to a resource-constrained world. We want nutritious dairy products to be part of the solution to global challenges.
By turning waste into revenue, employing more efficient practices and replenishing natural resources, the dairy industry can inspire products and processes that are better for the earth and better for our businesses. We’re working as a team, because we care about the health of future generations. Visit the USDairy Video Channel to learn more about our vision for the dairy industry.
1Structure and Finances of U.S. Farms. (2007). Family Farm Report . Economic Research Service/USDA.
2NMPF Dairy Producer Highlights. (2007). National Milk Producers Federation.
3(2009, June ). Milk Production . USDA.
4Rafferty K, Heaney RP. Nutrient effects on the calcium economy: Emphasizing the potassium controversy. J of Nutr 2008;138:166S-171S.cs Research Report No. 58). USDA, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
5Capper JL, et al. Journal of Animal Science. Published online first on March 13, 2009.