Assessing the eco-efficiency of milk production systems using water-energy-labor-food nexus

Globally, massive resource inputs and undesired outputs hindered the further development of the dairy industry. This study proposed a method applying data envelopment analysis to the water-energy-labor-food nexus to assess the eco-efficiency of the milk production system (MEE) from a systemic perspective. Using national statistics on scale farms for the period 2014–2021, we illustrated the effects of scale and intensification on MEE in China. In the study period, the production cost increased by 23 % and milk production rose by 30 % at the same time. Despite the increases in both water and energy inputs, the rise in milk production weakened the resource burdens and thus lifted MEE by 24 %. The resource investment pattern shifted from water- and labor-oriented to energy-oriented. Under current conditions, production technology and system management were at higher superiority to advance than farm scale, while mechanization and on-farm clean energy production are the keys to further lifting MEE. [Display omitted] •Intensive use of resources hindered the further development of the dairy industry.•A method to assess the eco-efficiency of milk production system (MEE) was proposed.•The rise in milk production weakened resource burdens and thus lifted MEE by 24 %.•On-farm practices are at higher superiority to promote than farm scale.•Mechanization and clean energy production are the keys to further lifting MEE.