scholarly journals What Makes an Organic Dairy Farm Profitable in the United States? Evidence from 10 Years of Farm Level Data in Vermont

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Jonathan Walsh ◽  
Robert Parsons ◽  
Qingbin Wang ◽  
David Conner
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
The United States ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Farm Profitability ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

Many U.S. dairy farms, especially small farms, are struggling to stay in business due to difficult economic conditions. While switching to organic milk production has been identified as one way to improve farm profitability, there are very limited economic data available on organic dairy profitability and the key factors contributing to its variation among organic dairy farms. This study analyzes a 10-year longitudinal dataset of Vermont organic dairy farms (2006–2016), collected by the University of Vermont Extension, to identify key factors influencing farm profitability and quantify their impact on farm return on assets (ROA) through a multivariate fixed-effects regression model. Results suggest that significant factors for organic farm profitability measured by ROA include feeding management, farm management, farm size, milk price and input costs. Such findings may help many organic dairy farms identify potential areas for improving their profitability and conventional farms evaluate the potential financial benefits of switching to organic operation.

scholarly journals Iodine content in bulk tank milk samples in relation to dairy farm size

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. S9-S13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Vorlová ◽  
Lucia Hodulová ◽  
Ivana Borkovcová ◽  
Hana Přidalová ◽  
Romana Kostrhounová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Iodine Content ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

The aim of this study was to compare the iodine content in raw milk from organic and conventional dairy farms of different sizes. Milk samples were collected between 2012 and 2013, and the iodine content was determined by a Sandell-Kolthoff reaction after dry alkaline digestion of the milk samples. Comparing the iodine content in raw milk samples from small sized dairy farms (116.76 ± 46.29 μg/l) and large sized dairy farms (173.70 ± 35.42 μg/l), a significant difference in iodine content was observed (P ≤ 0.05). The lowest values were found in small and medium dairy farms, 45.30 μg/l and 40.46 μg/l, respectively. High variability (112.92 ± 94.74 μg/l) in the iodine content was detected in raw milk from medium sized dairy farms. When considering milk samples from organic dairy farms (119.29 μg /l ± 40.37) vs. conventional dairy farms (136.55 μg/l ± 42.91), no significant difference was detected. These results indicate higher iodine content in milk from large dairy farms regardless of conventional or organic farming methods.

Nutrient budgets of Ontario organic dairy farms

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
C J Roberts ◽  
D H Lynch ◽  
R P Voroney ◽  
R C Martin ◽  
S D Juurlink
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

The sustainability of organic dairying in Canada, with respect to nutrients, remains unexamined. To assess how management affects nutrient status, we documented whole farm nutrient (NPK) budgets over 2 yr (2003 to 2005) and soil (0 to 15 cm) P and K status on 15 long-term Ontario organic dairy farms. Farm size, livestock density and herd productivity averaged 110 ha, 1.00 livestock units ha-1 and 5656 kg milk cow-1 yr-1, respectively. Annual farm nutrient surpluses of 75 (N), 1 (P) and 11 (K) kg ha-1 yr-1 were lower than those reported for confinement-based dairy farms in the United States, pointing to possible environmental benefits from reduced off farm impacts on air and water quality. Weighted average soil test P levels were low (< 10 mg kg-1) on approximately 50% of farms, while exchangeable K levels were moderate to high (76 to 160 mg kg-1) on all farms. Four farms adopting a "self-sufficient" approach, producing most feed on-farm, imported little P as feed (1.37 to 1.90 kg P ha-1 yr-1) and had negative average farm P balances (avg. -1.54 kg P ha-1 yr-1). An integrated nutrient management approach, along with a flexible feed import strategy, fosters the sustainability of organic dairying systems. Key words: Organic dairying, nutrient budget, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, soil fertility

scholarly journals Baseline data on the diversity and abundance of selected bird species on conventional and converting organic dairy farms

2007 ◽  
pp. 245-251
Author(s):  
Marion Mondot ◽  
Grant Blackwell ◽  
Tanja Maegli
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Landscape Composition ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
Organic Dairy Production ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

While it has been shown that bird species can benefit from organic farm management internationally, there is little information on birds in production landscapes in NZ. In this paper we apply spatial analysis techniques to compare the spatial distribution and habitat use of birds on selected North Island dairy farms, half of which are undergoing a 3-year organic conversion process and half of which are remaining under conventional management. There were significantly more skylarks recorded on conventionally managed farms. Overall however, there were few differences in overall bird abundance or diversity between the two management systems. The comparable use of woody vegetation and open pasture may reflect similar proportions and composition of these on the study farms. Once fully converted, organic dairy production systems may offer benefits for some bird species, although the composition and management of the farm and surrounding landscape are probably also key factors for bird numbers and diversity. Keywords: birds, dairy farming, landscape composition, organic conversion, pasture composition

Impact of animal health and welfare planning on medicine use, herd health and production in European organic dairy farms

2012 ◽  
Vol 145 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ivemeyer ◽  
G. Smolders ◽  
J. Brinkmann ◽  
E. Gratzer ◽  
B. Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

Animal health and disease therapy on organic dairy farms in the Republic of Ireland

2006 ◽  
Vol 159 (20) ◽  
pp. 680-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. O'Mahony ◽  
A. M. Healy ◽  
K. J. O'Farrell ◽  
M. L. Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
Disease Therapy ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

scholarly journals Propolis in the control of bacterial bovine mastitis: a tool for the production of organic milk

2022 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 869-882
Author(s):  
Gabriel Michelutti do Nascimento ◽  
◽  
Marita Vedovelli Cardozo ◽  
Mylena Karoline Valmorbida ◽  
Natália Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Streptococcus Agalactiae ◽  
Bovine Mastitis ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Glycerol Solution ◽  
Bacterial Reduction ◽  
Organic Milk ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms

Bovine mastitis is one of the main causes of economic damage in dairy farms. Therefore, the control and prevention of microorganisms involved in this disease, mainly Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae, are essential. One of the most important steps for the prevention of the disease is the use of antiseptic products before and after the milking process to avoid bacteria from infecting the udder of the animal. Currently, the most used antiseptic product in dairy farms is iodine-based, and organic dairy farms, which follow several strict regulations, including the use of natural products whenever possible, are often forced to adopt non-natural antiseptic products, such as iodine-based ones, because of the lack of natural alternatives. Propolis, a natural substance produced by honeybees, has been extensively studied for its various properties, one of which is antimicrobial activity. Therefore, a new natural antiseptic product containing 1% propolis in 10% hydroalcoholic solution for the pre-dipping, and 10% glycerol solution added with 0.2% citronella oil for the post-dipping was analyzed for its capacity to reduce bacteria in vivo in order to prevent bovine mastitis, allowing its use on organic dairy farms. A total of 128 samples were analyzed in terms of bacterial growth for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp. using the spreadplate technique. The reduction in the bacterial concentration after the application of the products was compared between two antiseptic solutions, an iodine-based solution as the control and a propolis-based one as the natural alternative. The results obtained show a similar efficiency for both products in terms of total bacterial reduction, indicating considerable antimicrobial activity against bacteria most commonly associated with bovine mastitis. Molecular analysis was carried out for the identification of Streptococcus agalactiae; the PCR results were negative for the presence of S. agalactiae in all samples, indicating that the animals most likely did not have any form of the disease. The efficiency of the natural antiseptic was satisfactory, indicating an important find facilitating organic milk production worldwide, showcasing a natural antiseptic solution with efficient antimicrobial activity.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Shiga Toxin-ProducingEscherichia coliIsolated from Organic Dairy Farms, Conventional Dairy Farms, and County Fairs in Minnesota

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongbeom Cho ◽  
Charles P. Fossler ◽  
Francisco Diez-Gonzalez ◽  
Scott J. Wells ◽  
Craig W. Hedberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
County Fairs ◽  
Organic Dairy Farms
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