What Are the Prospects for Milk Products as Sources of Protein

Is milk beeonfing an obsolete luxury or specialty product? Is our formerly high-vaunted foster mother, the dairy cow, headed for oblivion as a major protein provider? Noting that per capita consumption of milk in this country has decreased by 22% in the last 17 years, I cannot help but ask these questions. But in my mind and, I hope, in yours, the answer in both cases is a clear cut and resounding NO. On the other band, an affirmative answer is not an impossibility. We all know that protein is in short supply, and we in the animal industry are in the protein business. We are reminded Mmost daily that the population is increasing more rapidly than the food supply. How can these needs be fulfilled? The answer is appaa'ently controversial. 5Iany want to bypass the animal as an inefficient and unnecessary luxury. They point out that the conversion ratio of plant to animal protein ranges from 4:1 to 10:1. They calculate protein yields per acre. They illustrate the food ladder. Animal industry does not rank well when such criteria are used. On this basis, the following solutions have been proposed :