News

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.

California Department of Food and Agriculture has announced the award of $26.8 million through its Dairy Plus Program. Under the program, 23 farms will receive improvements toward methane emission reductions and water quality, providing direct support to farms to meet their sustainability goals.

Kinnard Farms of Casco, Wisconsin, a participant in the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project, is one of three farms worldwide to implement Sedron’s Varcor System. The technology uses dilute manure to separate into three end products: clean water, organic liquid nitrogen, and a dry fertilizer. With these end products, dairy farmers are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from long-term manure storage and minimize hauling costs.

The 2023-2024 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report showcases the industry’s progress in nourishing communities while enhancing environmental outcomes. These efforts are built from the foundation of voluntary action by farmers, cooperatives, and processors. Within the report itself, science-backed data connects practicality supported by improved efficiencies as milk production increases and emissions per gallon of milk decreases.

Dairy sustainability advancements are often thought of as improvements to manure management, energy usage, or field practices, but in some cases, the greatest opportunities lie at the cow level. Breeding strategies with a focus on feed efficiency, longevity, herd health, and fertility, can meet the present needs of the farm while improving its environmental footprint in an economically viable way.

Over 270 dairy industry leaders gathered in Anaheim, California to attend the Fall Dairy Sustainability Alliance. At the meeting, discussions opened with the release of the 2023-2024 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report and ensued on various topics surrounding shared progress, credible results, and pathways to emission reductions. Continuing into the Sustainable Agriculture Summit, dairy industry representation remained strong among sustainability conversations of which focused on water conservation, economic feasibility, and emissions modeling and scenario analysis.

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has released its tenth biennial U.S. Dairy Sustainability report, tracking industry performance and successes under three different sectors – Advance Well-Being, Regenerate the Environment, and Care for our Animals and Communities. This 2023-2024 report also includes the first progress update on the industry’s 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals. Within the environmental sector, significant progress is noted as the industry has reduced greenhouse gas emission intensity, while increasing milk production.