The notion of sustainability, in regards to farming, has been bandied about for more than a decade; however, the way in which it is used often reflects the personal basis of whoever is using it. This is true in both the popular press and the scientific literature, and the definition may include such factors as environmental impacts, economic considerations or social concerns.

In a recent edition of Livestock Production Science, researchers from Wageningen University in The Netherlands undertook a survey to define the concept of “sustainable farming” from the perspective of nonfarming citizens. The survey involved taking two groups of citizens to two dairy farms in their respective regions of the country.

Following a tour led by the farmer at each dairy, the participants completed a questionnaire that asked what they had seen, heard, smelled and felt while walking through the farm. Additionally, each member of the panel was asked to take 10 digital photos that represented characteristics of the farm that were important to maintain for future generations.

Following the completion of the farm visits, the researchers established some broad themes that were identified as important to the panels.

Milk production
The factor that was of most concern was hygiene. What may be the most interesting aspect of this finding was that the cleanliness of the barn and surrounding area led to a positive perception of the farm as a whole, in terms of hygiene.

Technology on the farm
Overall the incorporation of technologies such as computerized data collection, automatic milking systems and handheld electronics were viewed as a means to decrease the workload and increase efficiency.

Economics
Participants expressed concerns both about the ability of the farmers to earn a sufficient income for their labor and pass the farm on to the next generation.

Cows
All participants identified the cows as a key factor in sustainability. Freestalls, brushes and other housing factors that allowed for natural behaviors were ranked as highly important. However, concern over the year-round confinement was expressed along with the separation of the calf and dam.

Aesthetics
The picturesque scene of cows on pasture was viewed by 80 percent of participants as a cultural aspect that was worth preserving. Additionally, there was a highly positive response in regards to the quietness of the landscape and the ability to experience “nature”, which did include livestock species.

Lifestyle
Most respondents left the farm visits with a sense that farming was more than a job, but a way of life and valued the human-animal interaction that occurs on farm. Again, 80 percent of those surveyed left with a positive impression of the farm due to the positive attitude expressed by farmers.

Finally, a general appreciation for the complexities and challenges of managing a modern farm was gained from the visits. There are several take-home messages for those of us across the Atlantic in North America. A concrete definition of “sustainable farming” remains difficult to establish, but these findings indicate that the average citizen may combine environmental, economic and social factors into their own definitions of the concept.

These results demonstrate the receptiveness of Dutch citizens to the technologies incorporated into the management of today’s dairy farms. Those involved with dairy farming may need to consider ways to engage the increasing portion of the population that is completely removed from farms.

The results of this study suggest that the opportunity to visit a working farm is a key factor for establishing a positive attitude towards the work of dairy farmers.

This sort of engagement also is a way to establish which practices generating concern that can be adequately defended to the general public (separation of calf and dam following calving or complete confinement) and those that may need to be reconsidered to alleviate those concerns and maintain the positive public perception of dairy farming.  PD

—Excerpts from Miner Institute Farm Report, September 2008