So, I’ve been thinking about our dairy industry, and I reckon it’s facing existential threats on a number of fronts. We know the environmental issues – water pollution, habitat loss, deforestation, methane and CO2 emissions. Animal welfare is also an issue, for example the ethical treatment of male calves.
And then there’s tech. Lab-grown milk protein is a thing now, and plant-based dairy is seeing big gains. Fonterra’s even investing into lab-grown milk proteins. See https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/130551099/labmade-milk-getting-the-creaminess-without-the-climate-pollution for other companies in NZ making lab-grown milk. When China realises mass production of casein in labs, demand for our milk powder will… evaporate. And that milk powder, is, what, 95% of the demand?
I don’t see how we can just ‘adapt’ dairy farming. These aren’t small problems, they’re insurmountable challenges. And those pressures are only going to increase.
If these threats are unlikely to be mitigated, the focus must shift towards planning how to downscale dairy farming in a responsible way. Industries have come and gone before ( whaling, anyone? ). Anyone got some thoughts on this? What will NZ look like in 20 years?
I switched to plant based milks and it cured my acne. Fuck dairy milk, I’m looking forward to the decline.
I’d love to switch to plant based milk but I really love cheese and brie and really can’t find any good plant based alternatives. Hopefully this changes with better tech. I’d jump ship immediately to lab grown dairy and meat.
Me too. I don’t eat meat but I love cheese. Other than eggs from my own chickens it’s the reason I’m not vegan. The article I linked to talks about startups making lab grown mozzarella with the same flavour and texture, can’t wait to try it.
Only cows milk cause acne, not other dairy products. Milk is not cheese, I also enjoy cheese! :)