Milk quality is affected by numerous factors, many of which we can control through appropriate management. One major area that encompasses many intertwined factors influencing milk quality is cow comfort, which is the focus of this article.

Recent changes to national and international milk quality standards have dairy producers everywhere working to continue to meet or surpass those standards.

Milk quality in the southeastern region of the U.S. has historically been worse than the rest of the country. Resolving this issue is imperative in order to maintain sustainability in the region. The Southeast Quality Milk Initiative is a multi-state collaborative outreach, educational and research program aimed to improve the sustainability of dairy production in the southeast region of the U.S.