This press article based on the IFCN Dairy Conference 2025.

The International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) convened its 26th annual Dairy Conference in Leeuwarden, Netherlands—a global hub for dairy innovation and research. This year’s event, held from May 19th to 23rd, 2025, brought together more than 60 leading dairy researchers from across the world to focus on the critical theme: “Future Dairy Farming Systems: Resilience as a Path to Sustainability.”

Key Highlights and Insights

Data-Driven Dairy Innovation:
Aebe Alberts, Manager of Dairy Campus, opened the conference by emphasizing the growing role of data in dairy farming, stating, “Data is key and sometimes even more important than milking cows.” This underscores the importance of digital transformation and smart dairy technologies in modern agriculture.

Dutch Dairy Sector Challenges:
Jan van Beekhuizen, IFCN dairy researcher, introduced the Dutch dairy sector, highlighting the Netherlands as a major dairy producer and exporter. He noted ongoing challenges such as land competition and strict environmental regulations, particularly around manure management and nitrogen emissions—issues that mirror global trends in sustainable dairy production24.

Global Dairy Market Trends:
IFCN research shows that global milk production growth has slowed to 2% annually, with informal sectors expanding faster than formal ones. Traditional exporters like Europe and Oceania face stagnation due to climate, labor, and policy constraints, while Asia and Africa present growth opportunities. Mature markets are increasingly adopting automation to address labor shortages and an aging workforce.

Profitability and Sustainability:
Despite these pressures, high milk prices and lower production costs have improved global farm profitability, especially in the U.S. Sustainability—both environmental and economic—is now a top priority, driving collaboration and policy support across the global dairy sector.

Panel Discussion: Dairy Under Pressure
Experts from around the world discussed market trends, farm economics, and the vital role of farmers in sustainability. Dutch farmers are seen as environmental innovators, Swiss farmers face high machinery costs despite direct payments, Canadian consumers actively support local dairy, and Uruguayan farmers focus on efficient grassland management and animal welfare. The consensus: supporting farmers is essential for a resilient and thriving global dairy industry.

Resilience as a Path to Sustainability
Sustainability in dairy farming is increasingly seen as a strategy for thriving amid change. Regional Deputy Abel Kooistra stressed the importance of “farmer diversity” to maintain sector resilience and robustness. In the Netherlands, resilience involves adapting to evolving environmental regulations, including biodiversity, protein ratios, organic fertilizer use, and animal welfare standards.

Over half of the international audience reported adopting more adaptive approaches in their regions. Maria Sanchez, IDF Scientific Programme Manager, highlighted the global effort to standardize emissions measurement with a freely available LCA model. Ernesto Reyes, Dairy Development Sector Lead at GDP, emphasized the socio-economic role of dairy and the need for financial mechanisms that support both resilience and sustainable development.

Modern dairy farm managers must now excel in people management, as workforce stability and skilled labor are crucial for sector resilience.

Country Perspectives

Ambitious sustainability targets include GHG neutrality, optimized water use, and improved nutrient management. American dairy farmers are increasingly adopting cutting-edge technologies such as anaerobic digesters and precision irrigation systems to reduce their environmental footprint. Industry-wide initiatives and government support are driving the transition toward climate-smart practices, while transparent reporting and consumer engagement are helping to build trust and demonstrate progress on sustainability goals.

Flexibility and adaptability drive resilience, though collaboration and innovation remain challenges. Brazilian dairy producers excel at adjusting to market changes and climate variability, leveraging diverse production systems ranging from extensive pasture-based to intensive operations. However, greater investment in research, extension services, and cooperative networks is needed to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and best practices, ensuring the sector remains competitive and sustainable in the long term.

Advanced technologies and farmer dedication boost productivity and anti-fragility. Portuguese dairy farms are early adopters of automated milking systems, digital herd management, and sustainable grazing practices, which have enhanced both efficiency and product quality. The strong commitment of farmers to continuous improvement and animal welfare has positioned Portugal as a leader in resilient, high-quality dairy production, capable of withstanding market and environmental challenges.

Dairy in 2035: On Track or Off Course?

Between 2020 and 2025, the dairy industry faced disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, climate change, and shifting consumer demand. While mature markets like Europe and Oceania face stagnation, demand in Asia and Africa is rising. The sector must embrace innovation, strategic planning, and regional solutions to meet global dairy demand by 2035.

Panelists from India, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Germany, and Italy shared diverse outlooks, highlighting the importance of smart investment, people-centered resilience, and adaptable strategies for sustainable growth.

Conference Partners and Support

The event was hosted by Dairy Campus and Friesland Convention Partners, with support from CargillFrieslandCampinaTrouw Nutrition, and AB Agri.

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