NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy’s latest sustainability report is out (PDF Version), and contributors say it is good news for dairy farmers. Emily Bishop, a representative for the industry group, says the report plays a critical role in telling dairy’s story, and proves dairy farmers care about food production and the environment.
“This report matters because it tells dairy’s story with facts, data, and credibility, especially at a time when expectations around food health and how food is produced continue to rise,” Bishop said. “We’re seeing from nutrition and wellness to environmental stewardship and animal care, stakeholders are asking more questions than ever, and if dairy doesn’t tell its own story, someone else will, and they may not always get it right. This report celebrates farmers’ many decades of commitment to caring for their land, cows, and communities, and so, these proof points matter. They help protect dairy’s social license and position U.S. dairy both at home and globally.”
Bishop says the key takeaway from the report is that there is now data proving farmers are producing more milk with fewer resources per gallon. She adds that since 2007, farmers have reduced greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk by nearly 15 percent, while increasing milk production by more than 30 percent.
Dairy farmers are also weighing in on the report. Pennsylvania dairy farmer Lolly Lesher says she is proud of how far the industry has advanced its sustainability efforts.
“It’s wonderful — it shows our consumers that the dairy industry, specifically, is moving forward and making big changes, step by step, on each and every farm to do a better job,” Lesher said. “It’s a constant improvement. It’s a reflection of our desire to take really good care of our cows, our kids, our water, our land, and our community. I think it’s saying, ‘Good job, and keep doing a good job. You’re doing great, and it’s being noticed.’ People are making mention of the things that we’re doing as improvements, and they should feel proud of what they’re doing and continue to work on those areas where they may have some more growth opportunities, but they’ve done a great job, and we should continue and praise them.”
In other industry news, dairy producers are heading into year-end planning with a renewed focus on risk management as they prepare for 2026.
Volatile milk prices, tight cattle supplies, rising input costs, and shifting global demand have made protecting revenue more critical than ever. Experts say reviewing how tools such as Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) performed this year can help producers adjust coverage, update break-even costs, and plan for market swings, helping stabilize cash flow and reduce surprises in the year ahead.
