Organic Vs. Non Organic Dairy Farming

Dairy farms raise milk-providing dairy cows.

Organic and non-organic dairy farms essentially raise cows for milk production. Raw cow's milk is then produced into many dairy products from milk for drinking to cheese. Organic dairy farms must achieve certification that no hormones, antibiotics or non-organic foodstuffs are delivered to dairy cows. Non-organic dairy farms use conventionally grown foods and the injection of hormones and antibiotics to produce milk. Many non-organic dairy farmers believe that organic farming is more costly than conventional farming.

Feed Efficiency

According to Sara Byström, Simon Jonsson and Kjell Martinsson of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, cow feed efficiency balanced itself in conventional farming practices relying on increased forage and decreased supplements. Organically raised dairy cows were as well-fed with forage as conventional dairy cows that were delivered feed.

Milk Yields

Milk yields were decreased slightly in organic cows when compared to those experiencing non-organic dairy practices, reports Byström, Jonsson and Martinsson. The lowered organic milk yields may rise with quality forage during early lactation periods, though it is notable that multiple studies report lower milk yields in organic farms as opposed to conventional dairy farms.

Dairy Cow Health

Dairy cow health was better in the organic cows, states Byström, Jonsson and Martinsson. Low disease rates evidenced the overall health of the organically raised cows. Organic cows required fewer veterinary visits but did report an increase in infertility. Overall organic cows were slightly less costly to farmers than conventional cows.

Dairy Economics

The economics of organic and non-organic dairy farming show organic farming as the preferable model, reports Lisa McCrory of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. The net worth per cow of organic dairy cows was nearly $1,000 more than the net worth of a conventional dairy cow in 1999.

Dairy Sustainability

Organic dairy farming promotes the use of organic feed and supplements while keeping hormones, antibiotics and preservatives out of dairy products. Organic dairy farming is a sustainable farming model that uses easily returned natural resources instead of the synthetic methods of conventional dairy farming. Healthier organic cows without antibiotic injections do not promote the adaptability of viruses to the increasingly stronger antibiotics used in non-organic dairy farms.

References

• The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences: Organic Versus Conventional Dairy Farming -- Studies from the --jebyn Project
• The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont: An Economic Comparison of Organic and Conventional Dairy Production, and Estimations on the Cost of Transitioning to Organic Production