Multi-dimensional assessment and scoring system for dairy farms

The aim of the study is to develop a scoring system for dairy farms in order to give specific
information about the product and production process of milk. The scoring system, based on a
multi-dimensional approach, was developed on the basis of data collected in 29 Italian dairy
farms and included different aspects. For the evaluation of animal welfare, a selection of indicators
set up in the European ProjectVR
assessment protocol for cattle 2009 was used.
Environmental sustainability of milk production was assessed by a cradle-to-farm-gate Life Cycle
Assessment. Laboratory analyses were carried out on bulk tank milk to evaluate microbiological,
nutritional and nutraceutical quality. Nineteen variables were selected and retained to define six
quality aspects: animal welfare, environmental and economic sustainability of farms, microbiological,
nutritional and nutraceutical quality of milk. Each farm was visited twice; each visit
received, for each variable, a score between 1 and 3 based on the frequency distribution of that
variable in the farm sample. The relation among farm characteristics and quality aspects showed
the importance to maximise dairy efficiency to improve environmental and economic sustainability
of the farms and the inclusion of hay in dairy cows’ ration to enhance the nutraceutical and
nutritional quality of milk. The proposed multi-dimensional scoring system is a practical tool: for
the farmer, to support decisions for improving the quality of the product and the productive
process; for the dairy company, as a value-added opportunity; for the consumer, who receives
detailed information about nutritional characteristics and production system of dairy products.