Integrating environmental, economic, and welfare dimensions in sustainable dairy farming: Literature review

Fernando Mata*

fernando.mata@iniav.pt

Received: 10.05.2026 Revised: 22.08.2026 Accepted: 23.09.2026 Published: 02.10.2026
Retrieved from Vol. 29, No. 3, 2026 Pages: 66-80
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Abstract

 Sustainable cow milk production is critical for global food security, rural livelihoods, and human nutrition, yet it poses environmental, economic, and ethical challenges. Dairy systems contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use, nutrient losses, and biodiversity impacts, while also shaping animal welfare and farm profitability. This review aimed to examine how environmental protection, economic viability, resource efficiency, and animal welfare were integrated in sustainable dairy production systems. A structured narrative review of recent scientific literature was conducted, and evidence on greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, nutrient management, animal health, housing, farm profitability, precision livestock farming, genetic improvement, nutrition, circular economy strategies, and policy support was synthesised. The review established that sustainable dairy production required balanced action across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, since improvements in one area often produced trade-offs in another. Environmental impacts were investigated through strategies such as improved feed efficiency, methane-reducing diets, manure management, pasture-based systems, water stewardship, nutrient recycling, renewable energy use, and integrated crop and livestock farming. Animal welfare was analysed as a central component of sustainability, and appropriate housing, pasture access, preventive health care, reduced lameness and mastitis, longer productive lifespan, and welfare certification were identified as factors that supported both ethical responsibility and farm performance. Economic sustainability was summarised as a prerequisite for adoption of sustainable practices, because production efficiency, cost control, market incentives, policy support, and risk management determined whether farmers could maintain profitability while improving environmental and welfare outcomes. The results could be used by dairy farmers, advisers, researchers, policymakers, certification bodies, and industry stakeholders to design, evaluate, and promote more resilient, efficient, and ethically responsible dairy production systems

Keywords

agroecology; circular economy; feed efficiency; precision livestock farming; resource efficiency

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Mata, F. (2026). Integrating environmental, economic, and welfare dimensions in sustainable dairy farming: Literature review. Scientific Horizons, 29(3), 66-80. https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor3.2026.66