Integrating knowledge on biophysical and socioeconomic potential to map clusters for future milk production in Ethiopia.

Despite growing milk demand and imports, market-oriented milk production and formal processing in Ethiopia is limited to areas around Addis Ababa, notwithstanding its competing land use demand. This study assessed biophysical and market potential for developing the dairy sector, characterizing Ethiopian dairy clusters. Biophysical data from geographic information system (GIS) sources and information from key informants were combined in mapping and ranking these clusters on milk production potential. Twenty-four indicators in six major categories were applied for this assessment: feed availability, environmental conditions for dairy cattle, current production status, access to inputs and services, output market access, and production expansion potential. Feed availability (fodder, crop residues, and agro-industrial by-products as well as land availability and affordability) were the main drivers for dairy development, followed by the current production status, mainly driven by number of (improved) dairy cattle and (formal) milk volumes. Dairy clusters close to Addis Ababa had the highest overall scores for development potential, mainly determined by local demand and access to inputs. For dairy sustainable dairy development in Ethiopia, companies seeking long-term opportunities may avoid the Addis Ababa area and develop dairy production and processing in other clusters especially in Amhara and Tigray regions, with good milk production potential but less developed market infrastructure. The combination of biophysical data and key informant knowledge offered key strengths in delivering valuable results within a short time span. It however requires a careful selection of knowledgeable key informants whose expertise cover a broad scope of the dairy value chain.

Heat stress in dairy animals and current milk production trends, economics, and future perspectives: the global scenario.

Animal's well-being, growth, and production are modulated by environmental conditions, and managemental practices and can be deleteriously affected by global warming phenomenon. In the recent years, unprecedented climatic fluctuations like sustained higher temperatures and humidity, heat waves, and solar flares have led to economic losses in $ billions to both milk and meat industry. It is estimated that by 2050, the US dairy industry alone will borne more than $1.7 billion loss. As human dependency on animal products like milk, meat, and eggs for nutrition is exponentially rising, there is urgency for maximum production. The high yielding animals are already under tremendous metabolic pressure making them more susceptible to adverse climatic conditions. When exposed to heat stress, livestock display a variety of behavioral and physiological acclimatization as essential survival strategies, but at the cost of decreased milk, meat, or egg production. Most of the studies have explored the heat stress in animals and its effect on different milk productions in a specific region or country. A clear understanding of the impact of global warming on dairy enterprise is yet to be comprehended. So this exploratory study will analyze impact of global warming on current milk production trends, economics, and future perspectives.

Analysis of adoption trends of in-parlor technologies over a 10-year period for labor saving and data capture on pasture-based dairy farms.

The use of precision technology is increasingly seen as an option to improve productivity, animal welfare, resource use efficiency, and workplace features on dairy farms. There is limited research related to longitudinal adoption patterns of precision dairy technologies and reasons for any patterns. The aim of this analysis was to investigate trends in technology adoption regarding both the amount (number of farms with a technology) and intensity (number of technologies per farm) of adoption. Surveys of parlor technology adoption were conducted on New Zealand dairy farms in 2008, 2013, and 2018, with 532, 500, and 500 respondents, respectively. Technologies were grouped into labor-saving (LS, such as automatic cluster removers) or data-capture (DC, such as in-line milk meters) categories. Trends were examined for farms that had only LS, only DC, or LS+DC technologies. Technology adoption increased over time; the likelihood of technology adoption in 2018 (and 2013 in parentheses) increased by 21 (22), 7 (68), and 378% (165) for LS, DC, and LS+DC technology groups, respectively, compared to 2008. Farms with LS+DC technologies also had a greater proportion of LS technologies compared to non-LS+DC farms, although this relationship declined over the 10-yr period. The use of a rotary versus herringbone parlor was estimated to be associated with 356 and 470% increase in the likelihood of adopting LS technologies and LS+DC, respectively, from 2008 to 2018. Regional differences in adoption were also found, with the likelihood of adopting DC and LS+DC technologies found to be 46 and 59% greater, respectively, in the South Island of New Zealand, compared to the base region of Waikato. The results highlight the importance of understanding spatial and temporal farm characteristics when considering future effect and adoption of precision dairy technologies. For example, the analysis indicates the occurrence of 2 trajectories to technology investment on farms, where larger farms are able to take advantage of technology opportunities, but smaller farms may be constrained by factors such as lack of economies of scale, limited capital to invest, and inability to retrofit technology into aging parlor infrastructure.

Invited review: Learning from the future-A vision for dairy farms and cows in 2067.

The world's population will reach 10.4 billion in 2067, with 81% residing in Africa or Asia. Arable land available for food production will decrease to 0.15 ha per person. Temperature will increase in tropical and temperate zones, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, and this will push growing seasons and dairy farming away from arid areas and into more northern latitudes. Dairy consumption will increase because it provides essential nutrients more efficiently than many other agricultural systems. Dairy farming will become modernized in developing countries and milk production per cow will increase, doubling in countries with advanced dairying systems. Profitability of dairy farms will be the key to their sustainability. Genetic improvements will include emphasis on the coding genome and associated noncoding epigenome of cattle, and on microbiomes of dairy cattle and farmsteads. Farm sizes will increase and there will be greater lateral integration of housing and management of dairy cattle of different ages and production stages. Integrated sensors, robotics, and automation will replace much of the manual labor on farms. Managing the epigenome and microbiome will become part of routine herd management. Innovations in dairy facilities will improve the health of cows and permit expression of natural behaviors. Herds will be viewed as superorganisms, and studies of herds as observational units will lead to improvements in productivity, health, and well-being of dairy cattle, and improve the agroecology and sustainability of dairy farms. Dairy farmers in 2067 will meet the world's needs for essential nutrients by adopting technologies and practices that provide improved cow health and longevity, profitable dairy farms, and sustainable agriculture.

Food quality, effects on health and sustainability today: a model case report.

The Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico is a five-century institution that, besides the unique clinical role in the center of Milan, may rely on benefactor donations such as fields and farming houses not far from the city, for a total of 8500 ha, all managed by the "Sviluppo Ca' Granda' Foundation". Presently, the main products of these fields are represented by rice and cow's milk. During the latest years, farmers and managers have developed a model of sustainable food production, with great attention to the product quality based on compositional analysis and functional nutritional characteristics. This experience represents a new holistic model of food production and consumption, taking great care of both sustainability and health.

Novel trends in engineered milk products.

Food engineering within the dairy sector is an ever developing field of study purely based on the application of engineering principles and concepts to any aspect of dairy product manufacturing and operations. The last 25 years of science and technology devoted to milk and milk products have led to major advances. The purpose of this paper is to review the history and current status of some engineered milk products and to speculate regarding future trends. Much of the advancement has been directed towards production capacity, mechanisation, automation, hygiene within the processing plant, safety, extensions in shelf life, and new product introductions that bring variety and convenience for the consumer. Significant advancements in product quality have been made, many of these arising from improved knowledge of the functional properties of ingredients and their impact on structure and texture. In addition, further improvements focused on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability have been made and will be needed in the future.

Metabolic profiles of cow's blood; a review.

The term 'metabolic profile' refers to the analysis of blood biochemical parameters that are useful to assess and prevent metabolic and nutritional disorders in dairy herds. In the higher standards of milk production, the priority in modern breeding is keeping dairy cows in high lactation and healthy. The proper analysis, as well as control. of their feeding and metabolic status is immensely important for the health condition of the herd. The disproportion between the genetically determined ability for milk production and the limitations in improving the energy value of the ration may be the cause of metabolic disorders. Negative energy balance has a major impact on the body's hormonal balance and organ functions and mostly appears during transition periods: from 3 to 2 weeks prepartum until 2-3 weeks postpartum. The term 'transition' is used to underscore the important physiological, metabolic and nutritional changes occurring in this time. The manner in which these changes occur and how they are diagnosed and detected are extremely important, as they are closely related to clinical and subclinical postpartum diseases, lactation and reproductive performance - factors that significantly shape the profitability of production. Therefore the priority for intensive milk production is prevention of metabolic diseases and other disorders. It is the intent of this review to synthesize and summarize the information currently available on metabolic status and physiological changes in the cow's body that occur during lactation, as well as to discuss the interpretation of the results, which will be a useful diagnostic tool in nutritional evaluations of the dairy herd. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Future consequences of decreasing marginal production efficiency in the high-yielding dairy cow.

The objectives were to examine the gross and marginal production efficiencies in high-yielding dairy cows and the future consequences on dairy industry profitability. Data from 2 experiments were used in across-treatments analysis (n=82 mid-lactation multiparous Israeli-Holstein dairy cows). Milk yields, body weights (BW), and dry matter intakes (DMI) were recorded daily. In both experiments, cows were fed a diet containing 16.5 to 16.6% crude protein and net energy for lactation (NEL) at 1.61 Mcal/kg of dry matter (DM). The means of milk yield, BW, DMI, NEL intake, and energy required for maintenance were calculated individually over the whole study, and used to calculate gross and marginal efficiencies. Data were analyzed in 2 ways: (1) simple correlation between variables; and (2) cows were divided into 3 subgroups, designated low, moderate, and high DMI (LDMI, MDMI, and HDMI), according to actual DMI per day: ≤ 26 kg (n=27); >26 through 28.2 kg (n=28); and >28.2 kg (n=27). The phenotypic Pearson correlations among variables were analyzed, and the GLM procedure was used to test differences between subgroups. The relationships between milk and fat-corrected milk yields and the corresponding gross efficiencies were positive, whereas BW and gross production efficiency were negatively correlated. The marginal production efficiency from DM and energy consumed decreased with increasing DMI. The difference between BW gain as predicted by the National Research Council model (2001) and the present measurements increased with increasing DMI (r=0.68). The average calculated energy balances were 1.38, 2.28, and 4.20 Mcal/d (standard error of the mean=0.64) in the LDMI, MDMI, and HDMI groups, respectively. The marginal efficiency for milk yields from DMI or energy consumed was highest in LDMI, intermediate in MDMI, and lowest in HDMI. The predicted BW gains for the whole study period were 22.9, 37.9, and 75.8 kg for the LDMI, MDMI, and HDMI groups, respectively. The present study demonstrated that marginal production efficiency decreased with increasing feed intake. Because of the close association between production and intake, the principle of diminishing marginal productivity may explain why increasing milk production (and consequently increasing intake) does not always enhance profitability. To maintain high production efficiency in the future, more attention should be given to optimizing rather than maximizing feed intake, a goal that could be achieved by nutritional manipulations that would increase digestibility or by using a diet of denser nutrients that would provide all nutritional requirements from lower intake.

Livestock vaccination in India: an analysis of theory and practice among multiple stakeholders.

An effective and efficient disease prevention and control strategy is of paramount importance to improve the quality and quantity of livestock production in the Indian context. Although livestock vaccination is considered an emerging innovation of socioeconomic importance in the Indian dairy industry, the rate of adoption and diffusion of vaccination technology is very low at field level. In this context, the authors examined the efforts of the Government of India to protect livestock health and control disease, considered the lessons learnt from rinderpest eradication, looked at field practices and the reality on the ground, and studied the perceptions of multiple stakeholders with regards to the relevance, profitability and sustainability of vaccination. In this study, the authors consider policy implications for the Indian dairy industry using the responses of 360 dairy farmers, 80 research scientists and 40 extension workers in India. The study revealed that scientists and extension experts rated vaccination highly in terms of its relevance, profitability and sustainability, while the perception of farmers was less favourable. The study also observed that, even after implementation of various disease control programmes with heavy financial expenditure, there was a wide gap between farmers and scientists and between farmers and extension workers with regards to their perceptions of the relevance, profitability and sustainability of vaccination, while the gap was very narrow between scientists and extension workers. It can be concluded, therefore, that there is a need to generate innovations for disease control that are perceived as relevant, profitable and sustainable so as to encourage higher levels of diffusion and adoption at field level. This study recommends that farmers partner with researchers and extension workers to ensure effective generation and transfer of new dairying technologies, leading to higher production and productivity in the Indian dairy sector.

En Inde, l'amélioration qualitative et quantitative de la productivité des élevages passe nécessairement par la mise en place de stratégies efficaces et efficientes de prévention et de contrôle des maladies animales. Les producteurs de lait et de produits laitiers considèrent la vaccination du bétail comme une innovation importante au plan socio-économique mais le niveau d'adoption et de diffusion des technologies vaccinales demeure très faible sur le terrain. Ce constat a incité les auteurs à effectuer une étude visant à analyser les efforts déployés par le gouvernement indien pour protéger la santé du bétail et pour lutter contre les maladies, à déterminer le niveau de prise en compte des leçons de l'éradication de la peste bovine, et à décrire les pratiques et la situation concrète sur le terrain ainsi que la manière dont les diverses parties prenantes perçoivent la pertinence, la rentabilité économique et les effets dans le temps de la vaccination. Dans cette étude, les auteurs ont interrogé 360 éleveurs de vaches laitières, 80 chercheurs et 40 agents de vulgarisation en Inde afin de déterminer les effets des politiques zoosanitaires sur le secteur de l'élevage laitier indien. L'étude a montré que la pertinence, la rentabilité économique et les effets dans le temps de la vaccination étaient perçus très favorablement par les chercheurs et par les agents de vulgarisation, tandis que la perception des éleveurs était moins positive. L'étude a également permis de constater que l'écart manifeste entre la perception des éleveurs d'un côté et celle des chercheurs et des agents de vulgarisation de l'autre concernant la pertinence, la rentabilité et l'effet dans le temps de la vaccination subsistait même après la mise en oeuvre à grands frais de programmes de lutte contre les maladies animales, tandis que cet écart était minime entre les chercheurs et les agents de vulgarisation. Les auteurs concluent sur la nécessité de veiller à ce que les innovations mises en place en matière de lutte contre les maladies animales soient perçues comme pertinentes, rentables et durables, afin de promouvoir une meilleure appropriation et diffusion de ces méthodes sur le terrain. Les auteurs préconisent le recours à des partenariats entre les éleveurs, les chercheurs et les agents de vulgarisation afin d'assurer une conception et un transfert efficaces des technologies dans le secteur de la production de lait et d'améliorer ainsi la production et la productivité du secteur laitier indien.

En el contexto de la India, para mejorar la producción bovina tanto en calidad como en cantidad es de capital importancia disponer de una estrategia eficaz y eficiente de prevención y control de enfermedades. Aunque la vacunación del ganado está considerada una innovación incipiente de gran importancia socioeconómica para el sector lechero del país, sobre el terreno se dan índices muy bajos de adopción y difusión de las técnicas de vacunación. En tales circunstancias, los autores examinaron las iniciativas del Gobierno de la India para proteger la salud del ganado y combatir sus enfermedades, repasaron las enseñanzas extraídas de la erradicación de la peste bovina, observaron la praxis y las realidades sobre el terreno e indagaron en la percepción que tienen numerosos interlocutores del sector de la pertinencia, rentabilidad y sostenibilidad de las vacunaciones. A partir de las respuestas aportadas por 360 productores, 80 investigadores y 40 agentes de extensión del país, los autores estudian las repercusiones normativas para la industria lechera india. El proceso puso de manifiesto que los científicos y especialistas en extensión otorgan a la vacunación un lugar de privilegio por lo que respecta a su pertinencia, rentabilidad y sostenibilidad, mientras que a los productores les merece una opinión menos positiva. Los autores observaron igualmente que, aun tras la implantación de diversos programas de lucha zoosanitaria que supusieron cuantiosas inversiones económicas, existía un gran desfase entre los productores, por un lado, y los científicos y agentes de extensión, por el otro, en cuanto a la valoración que hacían de la pertinencia, rentabilidad y sostenibilidad de las vacunaciones, mientras que las opiniones de científicos y agentes de extensión apenas diferían. Cabe concluir, por lo tanto, que para inducir sobre el terreno mayores niveles de adopción y difusión es indispensable generar innovaciones de lucha zoosanitaria que sean percibidas como algo pertinente, rentable y sostenible. Los autores recomiendan que los productores trabajen en asociación con los investigadores y agentes de extensión para lograr así que se generen y transfieran eficazmente nuevas tecnologías de producción lechera, lo que a su vez redundará en un aumento de la producción y productividad del sector lechero indio.

Aspectos socioeconômicos e tecnológicos da atividade leiteira na microrregião de Erechim, RS / Socioeconomic and technologycal aspects of dairy activity in the micro-region of Erechim, RS / Aspectos socioeconómicos y tecnológicos de la producción lechera en la microrregión de Erechim, RS

Objetivou-se com o trabalho caracterizar as propriedades leiteiras na microrregião de Erechim, RS, quanto às condições socioeconômicas, produtivas e de mecanização para a obtenção e armazenamento do leite. Foram realizadas visitas em 229 propriedades leiteiras nos municípios de Erechim, Aratiba e Severiano de Almeida. Questionário contendo perguntas acerca da área da propriedade, da área destinada à produção leiteira, do número de vacas em lactação, da produção diária de leite, da mecanização empregada no processo de obtenção e armazenamento do leite e da higiene dos tetos dos animais antes e após a ordenha foi aplicado aos produtores. O tamanho médio das propriedades rurais foi de 25,4 ha, com área destinada ao leite de 8,0 ha, média de 12,8 vacas em lactação por propriedade e 159,8 litros de leite por dia. O número de investimentos na atividade leiteira pode ser considerado elevado, visto que 40,2% dos produtores de leite realizavam algum tipo de financiamento. A ordenhadeira tipo balde ao pé foi o equipamento mais empregado para a obtenção do leite. A região destaca-se por apresentar propriedades de pequeno porte e produção leiteira e evidente envelhecimento dos agricultores produtores de leite.(AU)

The present research aimed to characterize dairy farms in the Erechim area regarding the socioeconomic, production, mechanization and hygiene conditions for obtaining and storing milk. Visits were carried out on 229 dairy farms in the cities of Erechim, Aratiba and Severiano de Almeida. A questionnaire containing questions about the farm area, the area used for dairy production, the number of dairy cows, daily milk production, mechanization employed in the process of obtaining and storing milk and the process of sanitation of the animal tits before and after milking was applied to the producers. The average size of the farms is 25.4 ha, with area destined for milk of 8.0 ha, with an average of 12.8 lactating cows per farm and 159.8 liters of milk per day. The number of investments in dairy farms can be considered high, since 40.2% of the dairy farmers had some type of financing.(AU)

Se ha buscado con ese estudio caracterizar las granjas lecheras en la microrregión de Erechim, RS, cuanto a las condiciones socioeconómicas, productivas y de mecanización para la extracción y almacenamiento de la leche. Las visitas se llevaron a cabo en 229 granjas lecheras en las ciudades de Erechim, Aratiba y Severiano de Almeida. Cuestionario conteniendo preguntas sobre la cantidad de tierras de la propiedad, la cantidad de tierras dedicada a la producción de leche, el número de vacas lecheras en la granja, área destinada a la producción de leche, número de vacas en lactación, producción diaria de leche, mecanización empleada en el proceso de obtención y almacenamiento de la leche y de la higiene de los locales de los animales, antes y después de la ordeña, se aplicó a los productores. El tamaño promedio de las granjas fue de 25,4 hectáreas, con áreas destinadas a la leche de 8,0 ha, promedio de 12,8 vacas lecheras lactantes por granja y 159,8 litros de leche por día. El número de inversiones en la actividad lechera se puede considerar alto, ya que el 40,2% de los productores de leche realizaban algún tipo de financiación. La ordeñadera tipo balde al pie fue el equipo más utilizado para la obtención de leche. La región se destaca por presentar propiedades de pequeño porte y producción lechera y evidente envejecimiento de los agricultores productores de leche.(AU)

New Zealand Dairy Farming: Milking Our Environment for All Its Worth.

Over the past two decades there have been major increases in dairy production in New Zealand. This increase in intensity has required increased use of external inputs, in particular fertilizer, feed, and water. Intensified dairy farming thus incurs considerable environmental externalities: impacts that are not paid for directly by the dairy farmer. These externalities are left for the wider New Zealand populace to deal with, both economically and environmentally. This is counter-intuitive given the dairy industry itself relies on a 'clean green' image to maximize returns. This is the first nationwide assessment of some of the environmental costs of the recent increase of dairy intensification in New Zealand. Significant costs arise from nitrate contamination of drinking water, nutrient pollution to lakes, soil compaction, and greenhouse gas emissions. At the higher end, the estimated cost of some environmental externalities surpasses the 2012 dairy export revenue of NZ$11.6 billion and almost reaches the combined export revenue and dairy's contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2010 of NZ$5 billion. For the dairy industry to accurately report on its profitability and maintain its sustainable marketing label, these external costs should be reported. This assessment is in fact extremely conservative as many impacts have not been valued, thus, the total negative external impact of intensified dairying is probably grossly underestimated.

Invited review: Genetic considerations for various pasture-based dairy systems.

Pasture-based dairy systems use grazing to supply significant percentages of the dry matter intake of cows and heifers. Such systems vary from those for which pasture is used only as a supplemental feed for cows primarily fed a total mixed ration to those for which pasture is the primary source of dry matter for the herd. Cows that are optimal in a pasture system share many general characteristics with cows that are appropriate for a nonpasture system, including feed efficiency, maintenance of body condition, reproductive fitness, udder health, longevity, and the ability to adapt to various management systems. However, in such divergent feeding systems, the relative importance of various traits can differ. In pasture systems where cow nutrient demand intentionally coincides with seasonal forage availability, the focus of selection has emphasized fertility and other fitness traits, as well as yields of milk or milk components. Breeds or strains with higher yields of protein and fat typically have advantages in grazing systems that supply milk to solids-based or cheese markets. Holstein cows with high percentages of North American ancestry can work well in grazing systems that include supplemental concentrates or partial mixed rations, particularly if calving intervals are less restrictive. Crossbred cows can be selected for use in specific grazing systems as well as for specific milk markets, with the added advantage of heterosis. Breeds and crosses with high fertility are important for seasonal breeding and calving. The ability of cattle to both milk and maintain sufficient body condition for reproduction is important for any dairy production system but is critical in a seasonal system. Dairy farms that depend on pasture for most of dry matter for cows typically have lower production per cow than nongrazing dairies but have the potential to be economically competitive because of lower operating and overhead costs. Although the principles of selection are similar across a variety of pasture-based and nonpasture systems, we document from studies and observations covered herein that optimal breeds, breed strains, and selection strategies can differ based on varying management constraints and objectives.

Impact of reproductive technologies on dairy food production in the dairy industry.

Reproductive technologies drive the efficiency of managing dairy cows because the lactation cycle of the dairy cow depends on regular calving to renew lactation yields. Achieving timely pregnancies to allow calving every 12-14 months, therefore, is critical in modern dairy production. To meet the demands to produce sufficient milk for fluid and dairy products, various technologies are applied to enhance efficiencies on the dairy farm. Artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer, ultrasonographic and chemical detection of pregnancy, various monitors that detect or predict estrus, and handheld communication and testing devices allow managers to retrieve information to make cow-side decisions about health and reproductive status. Genomic testing of young potential sires or young heifers is now possible and can provide information about their genetic merit years before any progeny tests can be completed. In many countries, the challenge faced by dairy producers is their ability to afford these technologies in the face of rising feed and labor costs and volatile milk prices received at the farm gate. Government policies often place obstacles, trade barriers, and unfunded mandates that preclude operations from making a modest profit. Unlike nearly all other manufacturing industries, agriculture producers have little control over the price received for their products. Therefore, dairy production is vulnerable to many uncontrolled factors including climate, government policy, economic conditions, and skilled labor shortages. It is clear that the impact of emerging and current reproductive technologies is critical to the management of dairy cattle to produce sufficient milk to meet consumer demands for quality fluid and dairy products.

The dairy industry: a brief description of production practices, trends, and farm characteristics around the world.

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.

Using Life Cycle Assessment methodology to assess UHT milk production in Portugal.

Milk and dairy products constitute an important ingredient in the human diet. Ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk is the main dairy product consumed in Portugal and its production entails large inputs of resources which derive on negative environmental effects such as nutrient enrichment of the ecosystem and climate change. In this study, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was considered for the environmental assessment of packaged UHT milk produced in Portugal, including simple (whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed) and cocoa milk from a cradle-to-gate perspective and to identify the environmental hot spots. Results showed that the production of the raw milk in the dairy farm is the main hot spot in almost all the categories under assessment mainly due to the emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management and fertilisers production and application. Furthermore, on-site emissions derived from dairy factory are remarkable together with the packages and energy requirements production. The values reported in this study are in the range of other related papers. However, differences were also identified due to several reasons such as allocation approach, data sources, characterisation factors, farm management regimes and assumptions considered. Therefore, these aspects should be carefully addressed and sensitivity to the assumptions and uncertainty of the results should be evaluated.

Current situation and the development of the dairy industry in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

The development of the dairy industry plays an important role in the economy of Middle Eastern countries. Judged by its growth rate, the dairy industry is viewed as one of the most progressive food industries in the Middle East. During the early 1970s, countries established executive programs to promote dairy farming; the major objective was to attain self-sufficiency in milk production. A massive investment was set up for importing top class cattle, complying with top industry operating standards, and a simultaneous introduction of the latest technology in processing, packaging, and distributing. Milk production has grown tremendously at rates of 6.6% and 4.9% in Syria and Saudi Arabia, respectively, between 2002 and 2007, which resulted in these nations being almost self-sufficient. Regarding Jordan, milk production has not yet met this target. An excessive growth in the dairy industry is quite noticeable in this region with an expanding capacity for exports. The aim of this study is to show the most recent trends and future prospects of the dairy industries in Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. It also attempts to investigate the drivers for the development of milk production, consumption, and trade in the region.