Undergraduate students studying dairy or animal science gathered in a focus group during a 2019 meeting to discuss the future of dairying. This research is important as our industry works to improve health and well-being of dairy farm workers and cattle, in addition to improving public perceptions of the business.
This generation of students will lead dairy initiatives, set standards and work on solutions in the next four decades.
Source: Journal of Dairy Science, April 22, 2021. Link. Conclusions from abstract:
Students often failed to distinguish between the “must-haves” that promote animal health and welfare, and changes in animal care practices for the purposes of meeting public expectations. This finding highlights the complexity of the issue and the perceived influence the public has on the future of the dairy industry.
As such, students emphasized the importance of accounting for values held by members of the public to ensure continued support of the dairy industry by the public. Although the need for compromises was raised, students believed that educating the public was necessary (and sufficient) to align public expectations with dairy industry practices.