Dairy farming in Japan has pursued efficiency. However, there is also a trend to seek a return to nature. There are areas in Japan that practice pastoral dairy farming that incorporates natural grazing and natural breeding. In Iwate Prefecture, there is a farm that sells 1 liter of milk for more than twice the market price. Despite being more than twice the price, it is popular and always out of stock. This farm grazes one cow for every 0.5 hectares of pasture. No pesticides are used on the pasture. No foreign feed is used. The principle is to leave it to the cows to do what they can. Natural grazing and natural breeding dairy milk is supported by consumers who want safe and secure food. It seems that the times are making this kind of pastoral dairy farming possible.
Ranks that target not only cows but also goats have appeared. Also in Iwate Prefecture, this is “Happy Milk,” which operates in Miyako City. This Happy Milk is produced by raising 400 goats on grass and hay at a farm in Miyako City. The strategy is to appeal to consumers that the milk is from goats raised on grass. Grass-free pasture-raising is gaining attention from the perspective of animal welfare. Grass-fed farming, which does not stress livestock, is said to be closer to nature than grain-fed farming. Goat milk is highly nutritious, gentle on the stomach, and known to be easily absorbed by the human body. This company sells not only milk, but also cheesecakes, cookies, puddings, and other products made with goat milk.
The trend in dairy farming around the world seems to be traceability and eco-friendliness. Traceability means clearly showing that the food came from and the refining process. We are entering an era that livestock such as cows and goats will also be evaluated for their enjoyment. Eco-friendliness means not using substances that are harmful to the earth. Animal protein is necessary for humans. As long as humans exist, the act of taking the lives of animals will continue. However, taking a life directly is not the same as not respecting it. More and more people want livestock such as chickens and cows to be raised in a relaxed environment. We are now in an era that consumers are rigorously pursuing traceability and eco-friendliness.
