Journal article
The Dairy Industry: A Brief Description of Production Practices, Trends, and Farm Characteristics Around the World
Journal of agromedicine, Vol.18(3), pp.187-197
07/03/2013
DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2013.796901
PMID: 23844787
Abstract
The global dairy industry is composed of a multitude of countries with unique production practices and consumer markets. The global average number of cows per farm is about 1-2 cows; however, as a farm business model transitions from sustenance to market production, the average herd size, and subsequent labor force increases. Dairy production is unique as an agricultural commodity because milk is produced daily, for 365 days per year. With the introduction of new technology such as the milking parlor, the global industry trend is one of increasing farm sizes. The farm sizes are the largest in the United States; however, the European Union produces the most milk compared with other global producers. Dairy production is essential for economic development and sustainable communities in rural areas. However, the required capital investment and availability of local markets and labor are continued challenges. Due to farm expansion, international producers are faced with new challenges related to assuring food safety and a safe working environment for their workforce. These challenges exist in addition to the cultural and language barriers related to an increasing dependence on immigrant labor in many regions of the world. Continued success of the global dairy industry is vital. Therefore, research should continue to address the identification of occupational risk factors associated with injuries and illnesses, as well as develop cost-effective interventions and practices that lead to the minimization or elimination of these injuries and illnesses on a global scale, among our valuable population of dairy producers and workers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Dairy Industry: A Brief Description of Production Practices, Trends, and Farm Characteristics Around the World
- Creators
- David I Douphrate - School of Public Health , University of TexasG. Robert Hagevoort - New Mexico Dairy Extension , New Mexico State UniversityMatthew W Nonnenmann - College of Public Health , University of IowaChristina Lunner Kolstrup - Department of Work Science , Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesStephen J Reynolds - Colorado State UniversityMartina Jakob - Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-BornimMark Kinsel - AgriMetrica LLC, Ellensburg
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of agromedicine, Vol.18(3), pp.187-197
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.1080/1059924X.2013.796901
- PMID
- 23844787
- ISSN
- 1059-924X
- eISSN
- 1545-0813
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/03/2013
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983997339802771
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