Guide to good dairy farming practice

Successes and failures with animal nutrition practices and technologies in developing countries

Guide to good
dairy farming practice

FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH - GUIDELINES 8

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
and
International Dairy Federation
Rome 2011

ABSTRACT

This second edition of the Guide to Good Dairy Farming Practice has been developed by an IDF/FAO Project Group of the IDF Standing Committee on Farm Management. It has been written in a practical format for dairy farmers engaged in the production of milk from any dairy species to support the production and marketing of safe, quality-assured milk and dairy products. The Guide focuses on the relationship between consumer safety and economic, social and environmental management at the farm level. Dairy farmers' production systems worldwide need to be able to combine profitability with the responsibility of protecting human health, animal health, animal welfare and the environment. This Guide gives individual dairy farmers proactive guidance on how these objectives can be achieved on their farm. The practices that are suggested have been drawn from best practice guidelines and existing assurance schemes around the world, and so individual practices will vary in their applicability to various dairying regions. They are not intended to be legally binding and readers are encouraged to select and implement those guidelines that are of relevance to their situation.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements

Introduction

A basis in Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
About this guide
Objective and scope
Other references of relevance
How the guidelines are presented

Good dairy farming practices

1. Animal health
2. Milking hygiene
3. Nutrition (feed and water)
4. Animal welfare
5. Environment
6. Socio-economic management

Fact sheets

1. Animal health
2. Milking hygiene
3. Nutrition (feed and water)
4. Animal welfare
5. Environment
6. Socio-economic managements

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or of the International Dairy Federation concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO or the IDF in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of FAO, or the IDF.

IISBN 978-92-5-106957-8

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