The Noble Method®: A One Health Approach for a Sustainable Improvement in Dairy Farming

The Noble Method (R) has been successfully introduced in the last few years in Italy and in some foreign countries. This novel livestock management provides, among other rules, a high forage/concentrate ratio, no use of silage and supplements, no GMOs and the availability of outdoor paddocks. One of the goals is to achieve high-quality milk in terms of nutritional properties. Other benefits have been reported; amongst them, the forage/concentrate ratio of the diet was shown to reduce the amount of methane produced by animals, also, the system provides economic benefits, mainly for small breeders, in terms of the sustainability and market placement of milk. Thus, the method represents a sustainable approach to improve the production and the supply chain, from the land to the final product. In this review, the most recent studies on Noble Method (R) are depicted, showing that, besides the nutritional proprieties of dairy products, the method is able to improve animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability, thus falling within a One Health approach.

Automated summary

The Noble Method (R) is a novel livestock management approach that has been successfully introduced in Italy and other countries. It emphasizes a high forage/concentrate ratio, no use of silage and supplements, no GMOs, and the availability of outdoor paddocks. The method aims to improve the nutritional properties of milk and has been shown to reduce methane emissions, provide economic benefits, and enhance the sustainability of the milk supply chain. Recent studies have revealed that the Noble Method (R) not only improves the nutritional qualities of dairy products but also enhances animal welfare, human health, and environmental sustainability within a One Health approach.