Impact of policy-induced structural change on milk quality: evidence from the Flemish dairy sector

Abstract

This paper uses a Markov chain model to analyse the dynamics in farm-size distribution among the Flemish dairy sector and the impact of quota policy regulation on such changes. The model predicts a decline of 24 % in number of farms in 2014 compared with the current situation with a more liberal exchange policy and a decline of 18 % with a restricted quota exchange policy. From these Markov chain model results, we analysed the impact of farm-size distribution on eight different milk quality parameters (total bacterial count, somatic cell count, coliform count, freezing point, urea-N, fat content and protein content and penalty-points). In general, larger farms produce higher quality milk than smaller farms, especially with respect to the microbiological parameters (total bacterial count, somatic cell count and coliform count). The change in farm-size distribution from a liberal quota exchange policy would decrease the average total bacterial count by 18 . 0 %, the somatic cell count by 2 . 1% and the coliform count by 11 . 0%. The aggregate performance of the other parameters are smaller with improvements in all cases of < 1 %.

A multi-agent simulation model for spatial optimisation of manure allocation

“…This is in accordance with other studies: additional interventions in an existing quota system increase the costs for private actors in the system without enhancing the effectiveness of the quota system (Tietenberg, 2003;Van der Straeten et al, 2009). A comparable study (Helming and Reinhard, 2009) Helming and Reinhard (2009) confirm the assumption in the current paper that transport and processing (they call this export) are the main options to deal with manure surplus.…”

Export competitiveness of dairy products on global markets: The case of the European Union countries

“…Previous studies have analyzed the different production and specific trade structures of dairy products (Dunnett, 1933;Bailey, 2004;Van der Straeten et al, 2009;Pinior et al, 2012;Cecchinato, 2013). Dairy product competitiveness can be determined by different factors, such as milk quality assurance (Liebe and Schams, 1998), dairy cow diseases (Losinger, 2005), and various determinants in dairy supply chain management (Roupas, 2008).…”

The effect of milk quota abolishment on farm intensity: Shifts and stability

“…When production quotas such as those for milk are abolished, the industry structure (i.e. the number of farms and farm size distribution) is likely to be influenced [4,9,48], which may have important consequences for the land use and landscape in rural areas dominated by dairy farming, such as the Netherlands.…”