Organic dairy farming as part of sustainable ecological and social food systems

Publication date: 18/02/2025
Extent: 24 pages

Contributions by: Mette Vaarst, Aarhus University, Denmark; Adrian Muller, Christian Schader, Florian Leiber and Bernadette Oehen, FiBL, Switzerland; Lindsay K. Whistance, Organic Research Centre, UK; and Stephen Roderick, Duchy College Rural Business School, UK

Chapter synopsis:

There have been great advances in many aspects of organic dairy farming, which has become increasingly efficient and productive with a strong market. However, in some cases this has occurred through increasing specialization and scale of production, which risks the sector not being able to fully address the major challenges of environmental and social sustainability, animal welfare and the ability to deliver affordable and nutritious products. These challenges can be addressed by referencing the core organic principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, by adopting a more holistic, systems-based perspective and with organic dairy farming being viewed as an important part of wider rural communities and landscapes. This chapter explores some of these ecological, social and food-system frameworks and what they mean for the future of organic dairy farming. Key elements include a focus on pasture-based production, reduced dependency on feed imports and incentives reflecting organic farming’s aims and aspirations.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2024.0138.15