News

A new bill may help make the permitting process for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) easier to award grants to eligible projects. Awarding $113 million since 2017, AMMP has assisted the implementation of 172 projects proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure.

Josh Mirabella, UW-Madison graduate student, set up a sub-experiment within an established Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project site with a goal of understanding whether manure products could improve the retention of nitrogen fertilizer when both were applied to corn silage. This demonstrates how DSWR can be used to spark additional questions and broaden the impact of the research.

The manure database at the University of Minnesota has indicated that over the past 20 years, the average solids and nutrient content in manure has risen, particularly for nitrogen. With higher nutrient concentrations comes lower manure application rates, providing more value to the manure product while reducing the quantity needed for application. These changes over time emphasize the importance of manure and soil testing for efficient and cost-effective application and handling.

A multi-year, USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant has been awarded to Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a program designed to strengthen long-term resiliency through the implementation of conservation practices on farms. The voluntary initiative will allow DFA farmer-owners to advance their environmental stewardship goals and position themselves for environmental market opportunities.

Manure nutrients can be variable and their effectiveness is particularly dependent on weather events and soil conditions. Brownfield Ag News interviewed Melissa Wilson, University of Minnesota Extension specialist, to discuss the value of manure compared to synthetic fertilizers in corn production. On average, manure nutrients are performing just as well as synthetic fertilizer. Producers will likely see the most economic benefit from the use of manure when it is applied to fields that are lower in nutrient levels such as phosphorus and potassium, otherwise manure nutrients would be in excess.

Idaho Milk Products has joined the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, a global initiative whose purpose is to advance emission-reducing efforts within the dairy supply chain. By providing transparent disclosure of methane-related data, Idaho Milk Products supports its commitment to reducing emissions and driving meaningful change across the dairy industry.

The Greener Cattle Initiative has announced two additional grants to develop scalable and commercially feasible innovations to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy and beef cattle. Recipient, professor Joe Jacobs of Australia’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, will be using the funds to study the impact of bromoform, a methane-reducing compound, on cows, their calves, and milk quality in grazing systems. Dr. Stefan Muetzel, senior scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute will be using the award to evaluate whether a continuous pulsed dose of bromoform can shift the microbes in a cow’s rumen to generate acetate, a natural energy source for cows, rather than methane.

Dr. Dennis Busch, senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is leading the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project research at the university’s Pioneer Farm, where him and his team are evaluating the effects of conventional field practices and soil health management systems in dairy forage production on soil health, water quality, carbon storage, and crop yield. Busch provides an update on the multi-year project, initiated by Dairy Management Inc. in collaboration with the Soil Health Institute to advance progress toward the industry’s collective 2050 environmental stewardship goals.

Four farmers from across the U.S. share insights into how they are making their operations more efficient through maximizing on-farm resources, enhancing environmental benefits, practicing sustainable crop management, and implementing pioneer energy innovation. An efficient operation is a more sustainable one, advancing dairy’s commitment to its environmental stewardship goals.

The American Biogas Council has announced the results of its annual board election. To complete its board of directors, Dr. Jessica Lynville-LeRoy of Tetra Tech was elected as a new member along with the re-election of five members, including Mark Stoermann, Newtrient COO. Bringing immense expertise to the table, this group of leaders will help advance the biogas industry to strengthen economies and deliver enhanced benefits.