The
Transitioning Dairy: Challenges and Opportunities
Quality Milk Production
Services
Department of Food
Science
Local Organic Producers
(NODPA)
NOFA-NY (Brian
Caldwell)
Cornell Cooperative
Extension
Alltech, Inc.
Project
will study five dairy herds as they make the transition from conventional
management systems to organic dairy production
Goal
One: Describe the impact of transition on the farm
Milk Quality (somatic cell counts, bacteria counts
Production and components
Udder health
Herd health overall
Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA)
Milk selenium levels
Foodborne pathogens
Antimicrobial resistance in both mastitis and fecal
bacteria
Economic health (Dairy Farm Business Summary
Goal
Two: Development of an educational system for future transitioning farms
Ongoing discussions with participating producers
Encourage farmer to farmer mentoring
Disseminate information ultimately multiple formats
(traditional, pasture walks, producer discussion groups, website, written
materials
Projects
in Progress
Longitudinal Comparison of Conjugated Linoleic Acid
levels, Vitamin A, E in Bulk Milk from Three Management Systems (OFRF) (NESARE
farmer grant)
Collaboration QMPS, organic producer, Animal Science
(Cornell), MSU
Future
Directions
Challenges-what strategies can be implemented in a
timely manner
Opportunities: Herd health, economic viability,
marketability of value added products
What ration/management manipulations can increase CLA
on a year round basis
If we see a decrease in antimicrobial resistance,
what is mechanisms are driving this change
What mentoring/information transfer methods work
best?
Foodborne pathogens: Does safety of milk change?
Additional
resources
Cooperation among institution to use resources,
most effectively, avoid duplication of efforts
Increase involvement from the producer
Consumer awareness: health benefits, environmental
impact
Fundingcant overlook private funds