About
Milk’s Journey Affects Us All.
For generations, family farms have been working to protect our environment by implementing science-based practices that support a healthy and sustainable planet.
There are countless individuals who help get nutritious milk and dairy products from the farm to your fridge. These are passionate, highly trained, and intelligent people who prioritize caring for the cows, our natural resources, and each other.
In New York, dairy farms have taken great care of our environment for hundreds of years. They are the original recyclers and stewards of the land. They protect water quality and work with industry experts to implement the latest technologies and practices that help our collective efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
So, the next time you drink a glass of milk, enjoy a grilled tomato and cheese, share a charcuterie board with friends, or indulge in an ice cream cone on a hot summer day, know that farmers and their partners gave 110% to bring you a sustainably sourced product. That is dairy4good.
Did You Know, that in NYS, there are more than 630,000 dairy cows and more than 2,700 family dairy farms? Their hard work has ranked NYS #5 in the U.S. in total state milk production. #1 in the production of yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese, and #4 in total cheese production.
Did You Know that from 2007 to 2017, the carbon footprint of a glass of milk has been reduced by 19%? Dairy farmers are leading the charge in sustainable agriculture, constantly innovating to minimize their carbon footprint.
(Source: The Journal of Animal Science)
dairy4good
We’re bringing the voices of our local dairy community and all the expert partners involved in getting nutritious and delicious dairy products from the farm to our fridge, to you.
In addition to the ambitious goals outlined by New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the dairy industry has set a net-zero emissions goal by 2050. New York dairy farmers, researchers, and industry partners are working hard to do their part in preserving the environment while producing quality, nutritious dairy products.
We invite you to follow along milk’s journey and learn from the experts themselves just how much research, effort and collaboration goes into the milk we drink and the dairy foods we enjoy.
Videos
MILK’S JOURNEY
dairy4good aims to help consumers better understand the different areas of New York State’s dairy industry and how each one plays an important role in sustainability.
Dairy processors implement energy-efficient technologies and waste-reduction strategies in their facilities to ensure they are recycling materials and continuously working to reduce their carbon footprint.
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In the Fields
Many farmers grow forages for their cows to eat. They also utilize cover crops to fortify soil structure and prevent water runoff. Cow manure is recycled and used as natural fertilizer. These precision agriculture practices include injecting the manure into the ground using dragline equipment to minimize soil disturbance, decrease trips to and from the field, and reduce odor within the community.
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Cows on the Farm
Dairy cows are cared for 24/7 and milked 2-3 times daily using automated milking systems. Cows are monitored for health and fed nutritious diets that often include recycled byproducts not suitable for human consumption like almond hulls, grains from brewers or distillers, soybean meal, and citrus pulp. Cow bedding is also often made up of recycled materials, and the barns have temperature-controlled curtains, fans, and sprinklers for optimal barn comfort.
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Transportation
Milk is quickly cooled from 101°F to 35°F using recycled water before being loaded onto trucks. Insulated tanker trucks collect milk from farms through intricate piping systems. Milk is tested for safety and quality before leaving the farm, and is never touched by human hands. Haulers map out routes to optimize fuel usage and minimize drive time.
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Processing
Milk undergoes further safety and quality tests at the processing plant. Pasteurization occurs to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses. The milk is homogenized to evenly distribute fat content. Separation and remixing create different milk fat percentages.
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Distribution and Retail
Some farms package their milk for direct sales while others work with cooperatives. Strict federal and state quality controls ensure the freshness of milk and dairy products. All milk provides 13 essential nutrients: protein, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, pantothenic acid, zinc, selenium, iodine, and potassium. Milk is transported to grocery stores and markets within 48 hours after leaving the farm!
SUSTAINABILITY
The Original Recyclers
Farmers recycle resources wherever possible, including using manure as a natural fertilizer and feeding byproducts to cows. More than 80% of what dairy cows eat cannot be consumed by humans; one-third of their diet are byproducts from other industries. Farms use nutrition models like the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System to calculate nutrient balance to help reduce the carbon footprint.
Draglining and Manure Injection
This management practice improves nutrient application efficiency and reduces road traffic by bringing manure directly from storage to the field. A tractor with hundreds of yards of hose applies the natural fertilizer by injecting it directly below the soil surface. This helps reduce odor and emissions from the field.
Cover Crops
Cover crops improve soil health and water quality. Their roots increase water filtration, absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen, support soil structure and integrity, and help prevent runoff and erosion. Some farms harvest cover crops as a feed source
for their livestock.
Carbon Sequestration
Cows participate in the natural process of recycling carbon into our atmosphere, known as the biogenic cycle. Cropland and surrounding vegetation are prime sites for carbon to be used and stored in plant biomass and soils. Cover crops sequester carbon and absorb excess nutrients while maintaining soil integrity.
Anaerobic Digestion
This process captures and utilizes methane from manure to significantly reduce emissions through a natural biogenic process. Micro-organisms inside digesters break down cow manure into two forms: biogas and digestate. The biogas – mostly methane and carbon dioxide – can be used as renewable energy. Digestate can be separated further into solid materials for cow bedding, and the nutrient-rich liquid leftover can be used as natural fertilizer in the fields. This process is an important source of biofuels that can offset the use of fossil-based fuels.
Cover and Flare
Farmers store manure in professionally engineered storage units. Gas-tight impermeable covers can be installed to capture biogas and reduce odor. This system helps reduce emissions by flaring off methane gas captured in the structure. Covers also prevent rainwater from entering the storage and adding to the volume.
Reduced Tillage
According to the 2022 USDA Ag Census, Increases in the number of acres of cropland across New York State using sustainable practices attributable to the 2022 USDA Census on Agriculture.
Net Zero by 2050
New York’s dairy farmers are committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, setting a bold example for sustainable agriculture across the nation.
Partners
