Confined animals are fed a diet high in grain with protein supplements, including meat. In sum, dairy factories create serious new environmental problems, and exacerbate old ones. In rotational grazing, the daily forage requirement for cattle is met by dividing pastures into smaller paddocks and moving animals every 12 hours to 3 days. With a sufficient number of paddocks in the system, each paddock will be rested between 15 and 40 days, depending on forage regrowth before regrazing. This system allows cattle to do much more for themselves to produce milk, compared to confinement feeding.
Feed is a major cost of dairying.
Furthermore, he points out, cows in pasture show improved reproductive performance and therefore more profitability. Reduced soil erosion on the farm 24 to 31 percent. The community becomes more self-reliant, using existing human and natural resources rather than purchased inputs that drain capital from the community. Two ways of making milk. The other vision dominated by sustainable, profitable mid-sized family farms offering consumers free choice in the marketplace, wholesome food and milk at affordable prices grown by environmentally beneficial and socially equitable techniques.