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Feed by-products such as soybean meal, distiller’s grains, beet pulp, almond hulls, and others, have proven to be an essential component of dairy rations and sustainability efforts. As feed costs rise and environmental expectations increase, nutrient dense animal feed by-products remain a top method for diverting waste from landfills, advancing cost efficiency, and improving herd performance.

In an evolving dairy landscape, staying informed about the latest trends, technologies, and practices is crucial for making implementation decisions that can potentially enhance sustainability, animal health, efficiencies, and revenue. It is important to explore implementation strategies comprehensively and evaluate what aligns best for the specific needs of the operation.

California, a leading state in dairy sustainability achievements, will be holding its annual California Dairy Sustainability Summit on March 24, 2026 at the Visalia Convention Center. As California’s dairy industry is set to achieve climate neutrality within the next few years, the 2026 Summit sets to support dairy farmers in their stewardship efforts, address the challenges ahead, and recognize ongoing advancements.

Carlos Alberto Pérez Pérez, third generation dairy farmer and agronomist in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, shares his commitment to advancing operational efficiencies and sustainability through innovation and education. On his dairy, Carlos has implemented genomic testing and rotational grazing, along with NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) assisted practices. These efforts reflect Carlos’ dedication to sustainable agriculture, his passion for dairy farming, and solidifies his family legacy.

Jacqi Coleman and Bridgett Hilshey of Dairy Management Inc.’s environmental sustainability team, made an appearance on the Farm Food Facts podcast where they highlighted focal points in the dairy sustainability space. Coleman mentioned she is keeping an eye on water use efficiency and economic barriers to implementation while Hilshey touched on her interest in supporting farms in fine tuning their agronomic practices and efficiencies through credible data.

Fertilizing the soil requires a strategic approach – maximizing the use of nutrients in manure in an economically viable way, while protecting natural resources. To implement a comprehensive application plan and balance the nutrient needs of the crop, it is essential to understand the nutrient value of the manure, crop characteristics, sensitive field features, and soil fertility.

The U.S. dairy industry has built its foundation for sustainable advancements through the power of voluntary action. Pre-competitive leadership upheld by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has sparked the initiative for shared values and collective action towards environmental stewardship, animal care, and nutrition security. Industry participation, motivated by ownership rather than obligation, is driving real progress to place the industry years ahead of other value chains.

Researchers at the University of Idaho are studying ways for farmers to earn profits by capturing valuable nutrients and byproducts from manure and wastewater and converting them into bioproducts. Data from the resulting products of biochar, hydrochar, bioplastics, and clean water and their use on-farm have the potential promote a closed-loop system within the dairy industry.

U.S. dairy farmers are working to improve the sustainability of their operations through collaborative work with industry organizations and the implementation of innovative technologies. Although sustainability efforts may look different for every farm, the goal is continuously the same – to provide a high-quality nutritious product while improving environmental stewardship in an economically viable way to support communities for generations to come.

Dairy farms come in all shapes and sizes, as do sustainable solutions. Technologies and practices suited for reducing the environmental footprint of dairy farms are not a one-size-fits-all answer. In fact, a multitude of technologies working together in tandem, are often a best fit for an operation. Alfalawn Dairy cultivates sustainable practices across various sectors of their farm including manure and bedding management, cow comfort and welfare, and operational efficiencies.