Final answer:
PCA Unified Score Card assigns 20% to dairy character, indicating traits for optimal milk production. DIAAS has been recommended over PDCAAS by the FAO for assessing protein quality, focusing on amino acid digestibility. Dairy farms are typically near population centers and hay farms, impacting local economies and consumer choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
In judging dairy cattle, the PCA Unified Score Card indeed allocates 20% to dairy character. This term pertains to the attributes that make a dairy cow optimal for milk production, such as body structure and temperament. When it comes to protein quality in dairy products, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has suggested a shift from PDCAAS to DIAAS, the latter of which considers individual amino acid digestibility.
Dairy farming tends to be located near population centers for logistical efficiency, as shown in Figure 3-15 from the USDA, indicating significant dairy farm clusters in states like New York, Illinois, and California. Hay farming, crucial for the dairy industry, especially in winter when cows cannot graze, typically is found close to these dairy regions.
Moreover, the dietary energy factor, as mentioned in Example 20.3.16, reflects the proportion of calories obtained from different sources, including dairy/eggs. With urban expansion, as seen in Chino, California, where Holstein dairy cattle are used in factory farms, the cost of land and milk is affected, potentially influencing consumer choices such as purchasing cow's milk for cereal.