text: Your question is where the rubber meets the road.  Being a more competitive milk producer means cutting costs wherever possible. It implies a further industrialization of agriculture.  In my mind that may also result in less ethical treatment of animals, lower input costs (crappy feed) and a greater reliance on hormones, anti-biotics and other treatments to keep the production humming.  
  
  I prefer to pay a bit more and ensure the quality of the final product.