By Jamie Martin
Across the U.S. dairy industry, farmers are expressing concern about growing demands for detailed farm data linked to sustainability reporting. These requests are often described as voluntary, yet many producers say participation is necessary to continue selling milk.
In recent discussions, farmers reported being asked to provide sensitive operational details, including herd size, milk production records, feed information, and on-farm energy use such as fuel and electricity. In some cases, requests also extend to cropping maps, utility bills, and purchased input records.
These data are typically used to measure carbon footprints and support environmental and social responsibility targets across the supply chain. While such programs aim to promote sustainability, farmers say they have had little input into what data is collected, how it is used, or how it is protected.
Producers also note that they receive no direct payment or incentive for providing this information. Instead, many fear losing access to milk processors if they choose not to participate. This has raised concerns about fairness, transparency, and farmer autonomy.
“Some milk buyers seem to be pressuring farmers to hand over detailed operational data — from cropping maps to utility bills — under the guise of sustainability. ADC believes farm-level data should be treated with the same legal protections as medical or financial records," said ADC CEO Laurie Fischer.
Industry representatives have emphasized that farm-level data is highly valuable and should be treated with strong legal protections. Farmers worry their information could be shared with third parties, used for regulatory purposes, or monetized elsewhere in the supply chain without their consent.
Beyond privacy, some groups argue that farm data security is tied to national food security. They believe farmers must retain ownership and control over their information to protect long-term market access and independence.
To address these concerns, outreach efforts have been launched to gather anonymous feedback from dairy farmers. These efforts aim to document how widespread the data demands are and better understand their financial and operational impact on farms.
Farmers are being encouraged to speak up, share experiences, and participate in surveys, click on the link to take the survey. Advocates stress that open dialogue and transparency are critical to ensuring sustainability efforts respect farmers’ rights while supporting the future of the dairy industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-peopleimages
Categories: National