The dairy industry’s carbon intensity has improved since 1971, USDA research says, but water use, a key metric, has worsened. It’s not clear exactly why the dairy industry’s use of water has increased by 42 percent, or 28 percent per unit of milk produced.
Source: Feed Strategy, February 22, 2024. Link.
The environmental gains are a result of dramatic improvements in efficiency; the industry now produces more milk with about 30 percent fewer cows than it did in 1971 . . .and 54 percent less fossil-based fuel . . . ”