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

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Editor,

I have carefully reviewed the manuscript. The authors have provided an exhaustive review of miscellaneous aspects of dairy farming, animal nutrition, environmental impact, and human health. The manuscript synthesizes existing literature effectively, presenting a nuanced view of the topic. The manuscript provides a thorough and well-organized review of the Noble Method, showcasing its possible benefits in terms of animal welfare, milk quality, and environmental sustainability. The authors have adeptly covered a vast array of topics, demonstrating a powerful command of the subject matter. The review presents a comprehensive of the existing literature, consolidating information from various sources and providing a holistic view of the topic. The manuscript is well-structured, with distinct sections that flow logically. This organization enhances the readability and comprehension of the content. The authors have critically analyzed the existing research, highlighting gaps and suggesting areas for future exploration. This critical perspective adds depth to the review. While the manuscript is generally well-researched, there are a few statements where the scientific accuracy could be further verified. Particularly, in Section 3.3, regarding Livestock Units, there are claims made that require precise referencing and validation. Ensuring accuracy in these claims is essential.

Considering that this is a review article, it would be valuable to clarify the novelty explicitly within the context of a review. Highlighting the unique synthesis, interpretation, or perspectives provided in the review can enhance its contribution to the field. Considering the depth of the review and its potential contribution to the field, I suggest that the manuscript be accepted pending minor revisions. The authors may address the points mentioned above, ensuring scientific accuracy and explicitly stating the novelty within the context of a review article.

Thank you for considering my evaluation. I look forward to seeing the revised version of the manuscript.

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you for the opportunity to get acquainted with this interesting manuscript. The article is devoted to the very urgent problem of developing new regulations in animal husbandry that can make animal husbandry more economical, environmentally friendly and efficient. The authors analyzed a large number of literary sources. However, a number of issues remain unclear. So, line 73 says that with intensive animal husbandry, the quality of milk changes. However, the article discusses the issues of various zootechnical approaches, all of which can be attributed to intensive animal husbandry. And the changes in the quality of the products in question are probably not related to the transition from extensive to intensive production, but to the influence of specific technological approaches in nutrition and other breeding parameters. In my opinion, it is not entirely correct to link the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by animals with the use of more concentrated feeds and the rejection of silage and coarse feed, since the production of high-calorie additives in feed itself requires large resources. For publication in the journal "Sustainability Development", it is necessary to more clearly substantiate the relationship between the use of various technologies of intensive animal husbandry for the sustainable development of the region. The article can be published after certain changes

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

The article is devoted to an important problem, how to use Noble methods in dairy farming. The article extensively presents research on the aspects that ensure fodder, milk quality, animal welfare, as well as emission (CH4) reduction using the "Noble Milk" system.

Some imperfections 1) It is necessary to explain the ratio at the beginning ω6:ω3 (line 62) not only (line 122)

2)the results of "Noble milk" systems and Intensive farming systems should not be compared with specific numerical results. How this system results will work in organic farms?

 

Author Response

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Reviewer 4 Report

Dear Authors, Please see below:

·         Line 64-66, the sentence is a little bit unclear and may be improved.

·         The reference or source for Table 2 is missing.

·         Introduction:- In the end 3-4 lines may be added which concludes the introduction part and link the objective(s) of this study.

·         The table 3:- in 2^nd row it is mentioned in both the sides (left and Right) “concentrate ratio ≥ 70:30  and concentrate ratio≤ 70:30” How it is possible that equal to sign hold for both?

·         More strategies may be included in section 3, such as improved manure management, water efficiency, reduction in antibiotic use, renewable energy, etc. 

·         Line 474-476 “This system follows the coordinated efforts between WHO, OIE, FAO, and UNEP  that are working on crosscutting issues including the One Health concept in a sustainable way” indicates that this research Is aligned with WHO, OIE, FAO and UNEP concept on one health but authors did not discuss this in the manuscript anywhere else except the conclusion. Need to check at authors end.

·         As the number of references are 140, some old references may be removed.

·         Also, I suggest authors to read few more papers, which may give some more insight to them about some sustainable traditional practices for further improve this paper: for example

 

Szűcs E, Geers R, Jezierski T, Sossidou EN, Broom DM. Animal welfare in different human cultures, traditions and religious faiths. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. 2012 Nov;25(11):1499-506. doi: 10.5713/ajas.2012.r.02. PMID: 25049508; PMCID: PMC4093044.

 

Sharma A, Schuetze C, Phillips CJC. The Management of Cow Shelters (Gaushalas) in India, Including the Attitudes of Shelter Managers to Cow Welfare. Animals (Basel). 2020 Jan 28;10(2):211. doi: 10.3390/ani10020211. PMID: 32012807; PMCID: PMC7070297.

 

Sharma, A.; Kennedy, U.; Schuetze, C.; Phillips, C.J.C. The Welfare of Cows in Indian Shelters. Animals 2019, 9, 172. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9040172.

 

Naspetti, S., Mandolesi, S., Buysse, J. et al. Consumer perception of sustainable practices in dairy production. Agric Econ 9, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-020-00175-z

 

 

Peterson, C. B., & Mitloehner, F. M. (2021). Sustainability of the Dairy Industry: Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2, 760310. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2021.760310

I am not a native English speking. So the manuscript may be checked by a professional for English lanuguage editing. 

Author Response

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