Telling the full story: Jay Waldvogel on the power of perspective in agriculture
Jay Waldvogel has spent more than 25 years in the global dairy industry, but even in retirement, his passion for progress hasn’t faded. In this recent podcast with World Without Cows filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, Waldvogel reflected on the complexities of dairy farming, the importance of storytelling in agriculture, the urgency of finding sustainable solutions, and why a world without cows is a concept that needs to be explored — not as an agenda, but as a way to reframe the conversation.
Waldvogel retired in 2024 from Dairy Farmers of America, where he most recently served as senior vice president of strategy and international development. He is a featured expert in the World Without Cows documentary, which examines cultural, economic, nutritional and environmental impact of cows around the world — and the possible repercussions of their absence.
Shifting the narrative: From defense to dialogue
For too long, agriculture has been on the defensive, Waldvogel says. Critics often focus on the environmental and ethical challenges of livestock farming, and while these concerns deserve attention, they can often overshadow the bigger picture: the essential role of cows in food security, nutrition and rural economies.
“When you look at dairy holistically, the positives far outweigh the negatives,” Waldvogel explains. “But we need to have conversations that address both sides.”
The dairy industry has all the facts, science and data to support its case, but it has struggled to connect the dots into a compelling narrative, Waldvogel says. That’s where World Without Cows steps in. By exploring the hypothetical removal of cows from our world, the documentary forces a deeper conversation: What would we lose? What would change? What unintended consequences would arise?
“It’s always in the middle,” Waldvogel says. “Nobody’s suggesting extremes, but the extremes force you to think differently about what that middle could be.”
A catalyst for conversation
One of the documentary’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring people to the table. Instead of pushing a solution, it creates a platform for discussion. In today’s polarized world, where people often entrench themselves in their own perspectives, meaningful dialogue is rare — but necessary.
Waldvogel has long believed in the value of inviting outside voices, even those critical of agriculture, into the conversation. “You can never get too comfortable in your own belief,” he says. “The best advice on how to evolve and improve often comes from those who look in from the outside.”
This approach is particularly important in addressing the misinformation that plagues discussions about agriculture.
“We’ve kind of lost what is fact, what is science, what is truth,” Waldvogel says. “Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts.”
Beyond conversation: Finding real solutions
The challenges facing agriculture aren’t abstract — they are real, they’re urgent, and they require tangible solutions. Waldvogel’s work with Dairy Nourishes Africa (DNA), for example, highlights one path forward: improving dairy production efficiency in developing regions. (Dairy Nourishes Africa is an initiative led by the Global Dairy Platform that aims to help create sustainable and resilient food systems across the continent.)
The problem isn’t just about emissions or land use — it’s about food security. In places like Tanzania, dairy has the potential to transform livelihoods, providing nutrition and economic stability. But to make that happen, farmers need more than just cows — they need education, market access and infrastructure. DNA works to create a sustainable dairy value chain, collaborating with organizations like the Gates Foundation and local groups to provide resources, training and policy support.
“How do you go from incremental improvement in small pilots to fundamentally transforming food systems?” Waldvogel asks.
The answer lies in building systems that are economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially impactful.
The path to net zero
Waldvogel also emphasizes the dairy industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. He points to initiatives like Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, which provides tools and resources to help farmers progress toward net-zero emissions. In developed markets like the U.S., he believes achieving net zero is possible, though it will require significant effort and investment.
“All the tools are there,” he says. “It’s hard work, but it’s doable.”
In developing markets, the challenge is even greater. Yet, even small improvements — like better animal husbandry practices — can have a significant impact.
“Something as simple as making a cow more comfortable can increase milk production,” Waldvogel explains.
A hopeful future — If we get it right
The numbers are daunting. By 2050, Africa alone will account for 25% of the global population. Feeding the world will require producing as much food in the next 30 to 40 years as we have in the past 10,000 years combined, according to Jack Bobo, food futurist and executive director of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, who is also featured in the documentary.
Yet, Waldvogel remains hopeful.
“This isn’t impossible,” he insists. “We have the resources, the knowledge and the commitment. The missing piece is simply aligning those efforts and taking action.”
The path forward isn’t about choosing between agriculture and the environment — it’s about recognizing that the two must coexist. By reframing the conversation and moving beyond rhetoric toward practical, scalable solutions, we can create a future where dairy farming is both sustainable and essential.
As Waldvogel puts it, “We need to get busy and stick with it. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.”
About World Without Cows
World Without Cows is a feature-length documentary that explores the complexity behind a seemingly simple question: “Are we better off in a world without cows?”
Through interviews with farmers, ranchers, scientists and others on the front lines of agriculture and science, award-winning journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth take viewers on a global journey to deepen their understanding of everything cows contribute and what the world might look like without them.
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