Collecting complex comprehensive farm level data through a collaborative approach: A framework developed for a life cycle assessment of fluid milk production in the US

In 2008 the US dairy industry committed to reducing green house gases (GHG) associated with milk production. Understanding the contributions of dairy practices to GHG requires the collection of extensive complex farm level data. The purpose of this paper is three fold: 1) to describe the innovative model of data collection involving an expansive collaborative process, 2) discuss survey response rates and 3) offer lessons learned that will facilitate the replication of this method for data collection needs associated with other agricultural industries or other agriculturally related research questions.