Impact of policy-induced structural change on milk quality : evidence from the Flemish dairy sector

This paper uses a Markov chain model to analyse the dynamics in farm size distribution among the Flemish dairy sector and the impact of quota policy regulation on such changes. The model predicts a decline in number of farms in 2014 compared with the current situation of 24% with a more liberal exchange policy and a decline of 18% with a restricted quota exchange policy. From these Markov chain model results, we analysed the impact of farm size distribution on 8 different milk quality parameters (total bacterial count, somatic cell count, coliform count, freezing point, urea-N, fat- and protei... Mehr ...