Environmental Advances in the Dairy Sector Are Real: U.S. Figures and a Vision for Brazil

Analysis of progress in the US is based on the article

“ Dairy's environmental gains are real ” published by Hoard's Dairyman.

The U.S. dairy sector has made remarkable strides toward sustainability, with concrete evidence that efforts to reduce environmental impact are working. In a period of growing concern about climate change, the U.S. dairy industry has demonstrated a proactive response in implementing practices to mitigate its environmental footprint.

Significant reduction in emissions

In recent years, the U.S. dairy industry has managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 21%. This result is the result of a series of measures involving improvements in animal handling, feeding, and waste management.

Some of the strategies adopted include:

• More balanced diets for animals: Adjustments to feed have been made to reduce methane emissions during the digestion process.

• Anaerobic digesters: This technology allows the conversion of waste into biogas (a renewable energy source), reducing the emission of gases such as methane and carbon dioxide.

• Efficient Waste Management: Properly managing waste not only helps reduce emissions but also contributes to soil and water quality on American farms.

Greater production efficiency

In addition to reducing emissions, the U.S. dairy sector has focused on increasing production efficiency. According to the article, there has been a 48% increase in milk production in the last 15 years in the United States. This growth has been accompanied by a significant reduction in the use of resources such as land and water. For example, modern dairy production in the U.S. uses 30% less land and 21% less water per unit of milk produced.

Furthermore, American dairy producers have managed to reduce resource use by 20%, resulting in a lower impact per liter of milk produced. This progress indicates a growing focus on optimizing production processes.

Technological innovation and collaboration

One of the key factors in the environmental progress of the US dairy industry is technological innovation. The application of new technologies and practices in farm management has enabled the industry to make progress toward sustainability goals. Furthermore, collaboration between producers, scientists, and companies has been crucial in creating solutions that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Sustainability as a priority

Advances in the North American dairy sector demonstrate that sustainability is a clear priority for the industry. This includes not only a focus on reducing emissions, but also on improving animal welfare and ensuring that milk production is economically viable for farmers. The pursuit of a balance between environmental, economic, and social aspects has guided the adoption of these practices.

Real efforts

The U.S. dairy industry's efforts to reduce its environmental impact are real and demonstrable. A 21% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 30% less land use, and 21% less water use, along with a 48% increase in milk production, are clear results of a well-planned and executed sustainability strategy. With the support of innovative technologies, commitment from all stakeholders, and measurement of results, the U.S. dairy industry has demonstrated that it is possible to effectively align productivity and sustainability.

And in Brazil?

Brazil has great potential to advance sustainable dairy farming practices, especially in the context of reducing carbon emissions. According to research and available materials, several strategies are being explored to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Brazilian dairy farms, including good manure management practices, precision nutrition, and genetic selection for productivity.

The intensity of greenhouse gas emissions per kg of milk produced is related to productivity, so that average lactations above 4,000 kg/cow/year show a considerable reduction in the carbon footprint when compared to those below this value ( FAO, 2019 ) . Since the average production in Brazil is 2,280 kg/cow/year ( Embrapa, 2024 ) (figure 1), there is a great opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of Brazilian milk through genetic selection, management, and increased productivity. Furthermore, it should be considered that Brazil also has specialized regions and herds, with productivity similar to that observed in the USA. Even for these farms, research has identified several alternatives to reduce emission intensity and promote the adoption of sustainable practices that go beyond mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Brazil is positioning itself as a major player in the global sustainable dairy farming landscape, with opportunities to further improve efficiency and significantly reduce the environmental impact of milk production.

Figure 1 - Overall productivity per cow