Expert Interview: When sustainability meets dairy profitability, by Muzaffar Yunusov

In this Expert Interview video, Muzaffar Yunusov from the IFCN is answering our questions about dairy sustainability.

What does sustainable dairy production mean for producers in practice?  

We mainly consider the three aspects economic, social and environmental sustainability. So let’s say that if the farmer reduces its feed costs and having less production costs, then this is a good economical sustainability indicator. If the farmer reduces the CO2 emissions, producing the same amount of milk, this is an environmentally sustainable practice. If the farmer can generate decent income for his or her farm, then this is a social economical indicator.

How can feed efficiency help improve dairy sustainability while remaining profitable for producers?

Farmers definitely can get benefit by improving their feed efficiency. Feed efficiency means having the same amount of milk output while reducing the feed input in dry matter intakes. In this way, farmers will have the same amount of milk output and will have a reduced feed cost. So this is improving their economical performance. Besides, eventually it also improves the CO₂ emission reduction due to the per kg of milk produce will have a less feed input. 

As a whole dairy industry, how can we move towards a more sustainable dairy sector?

In order to be future proof sustainable dairy sector, we need to measure what we are doing and what our KPIs are. Second, we need to have a right and fair reward for farmers. Third, we need to have a consolidated communication channel. Sharing stories with consumers that dairy farmers are taking care of the farm, cows, they are taking care of the environment as well. And fourth, we need to have a smart partnership because as an industry, we are preparing solutions and technologies to get better. But as long as we are not consolidated and coming to, one partnership model, those solutions stand alone and they are not connected. So as long as we have those four priorities coming together, I believe our dairy sector will become more sustainable in the future.