This study aimed to identify organic dairy
major farm types (MFTs) in seven European countries, describe these
MFTs in an open research database and assess central characteristics of
the MFTs. This was conducted in a three-step procedure including (1)
Identification of organic MFTs in seven European countries: Austria,
Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, based on
existing data from dairy databases and consultations with experts within
the respective fields of knowledge; (2) Collection of data on farm
characteristics, management procedures, production level and herd health
from at least 10 farms per MFT and country and (3) Creating an open
research database on MFT characteristics, description of essential
characteristics of MFTs and assessment of similarities and differences
between farms within and across MFTs. The results indicate variations in
herd characteristics such as production level, herd size, farm size,
housing system, milking system and cow health status between organic
dairy farms in these seven European countries. It also indicates
variations in management strategies such as feeding, animal health
management and recruitment strategies across the organic dairy sector in
Europe. These variations seem to be associated with differences between
regions and countries in the conditions for organic dairy production,
such as topography, land availability and regulations.