School of Public Health, University of Texas, San Antonio Regional Campus, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
J Agromedicine. 2013;18(3):187-97. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2013.796901.
The global dairy industry is composed of a multitude of countries with unique production practices and consumer markets. The global average number of cows per farm is about 1-2 cows; however, as a farm business model transitions from sustenance to market production, the average herd size, and subsequent labor force increases. Dairy production is unique as an agricultural commodity because milk is produced daily, for 365 days per year. With the introduction of new technology such as the milking parlor, the global industry trend is one of increasing farm sizes. The farm sizes are the largest in the United States; however, the European Union produces the most milk compared with other global producers. Dairy production is essential for economic development and sustainable communities in rural areas. However, the required capital investment and availability of local markets and labor are continued challenges. Due to farm expansion, international producers are faced with new challenges related to assuring food safety and a safe working environment for their workforce. These challenges exist in addition to the cultural and language barriers related to an increasing dependence on immigrant labor in many regions of the world. Continued success of the global dairy industry is vital. Therefore, research should continue to address the identification of occupational risk factors associated with injuries and illnesses, as well as develop cost-effective interventions and practices that lead to the minimization or elimination of these injuries and illnesses on a global scale, among our valuable population of dairy producers and workers.
全球乳制品行业由众多国家组成，这些国家具有独特的生产实践和消费市场。全球每个农场的奶牛平均数量约为 1-2 头；然而，随着农场经营模式从自给自足向市场化生产转变，平均畜群规模和随之而来的劳动力增加。乳制品生产作为一种农产品是独特的，因为牛奶每天都要生产，一年 365 天无休。随着挤奶厅等新技术的引入，全球行业趋势是农场规模不断扩大。美国的农场规模最大；然而，与其他全球生产商相比，欧盟生产的牛奶最多。乳制品生产对于农村地区的经济发展和可持续社区至关重要。然而，所需的资本投资以及当地市场和劳动力的供应仍然是持续存在的挑战。由于农场的扩张，国际生产商面临着与确保食品安全和为其员工提供安全工作环境相关的新挑战。这些挑战除了与世界许多地区对移民劳动力日益依赖相关的文化和语言障碍之外还存在。全球乳制品行业的持续成功至关重要。因此，研究应继续确定与伤害和疾病相关的职业风险因素，并制定具有成本效益的干预措施和实践，以在全球范围内最大限度地减少或消除这些伤害和疾病，保护我们宝贵的乳制品生产者和工人群体。
