Feeding time at a dairy farmWorld Dairy Expo this month featured results from a study on the benefits of modern dairy technologies. The study, led by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Farmers of America, looked at how technology has shaped and improved dairy production for consumers and farmers – and the cows – over the last 15 years.

According to the study, compared to 2007, dairy producers in America today are milking 930,000 fewer cows but producing the same amount of milk. They are also reducing feed by the equivalent of the amount needed to fill 3,200 NFL stadiums. Dairy farmers have also reduced the need for cropland equivalent to the size of Maryland and have reduced greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to taking 4 million cars off the road.

In total, U.S. dairy contributes 3.5% to U.S. GDP with 3.3 million jobs and $42 billion per year in direct wages.

Read more on the huge advancements in dairy production and sustainability here.