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The 2025 North American Manure Expo will take place in Wauseon, Ohio, bringing together farmers, custom operators, academia, and vendors to collaborate and network with manure management professionals from across the continent. This event features application and safety demonstrations, farm tours, a trade show, and informational sessions focused on innovative manure management technologies and practices.

The California dairy industry has announced a significant milestone in its sustainability efforts, achieving an annual reduction of 5 million metric tons of methane emissions. California dairy farmers have demonstrated actionable steps to accomplishing this reduction by implementing on-farm practices to improve manure management and production efficiencies. Key strategies include methane capture and utilization with anaerobic digesters, methane avoidance through alternative manure management practices, and improved milk production efficiencies by enhancing cow care and comfort.

The Dairy Innovation Hub hosted its fourth annual Dairy Symposium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, bringing together academics and industry professionals to exchange insights on advanced dairy research. Featured as the closing panel at the Symposium was the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration (DSWR) project – an eight-year study initiated by Dairy Management Inc. in collaboration with the Soil Health Institute and researchers at eight institutions across the U.S.

The California Dairy Sustainability Summit brought together industry professionals to explore strategies around environmental stewardship within the dairy sector. Focusing on emission reductions and soil health improvements, the conference highlighted dairy’s comprehensive approach to sustainability — all while maintaining the production of a high quality, nutritious product.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are investigating how different manure application strategies — unprocessed liquid manure, manure solids, and no manure — affect soil health and fertility. Preliminary findings suggest that manure solids, which contain more stable forms of nitrogen than liquid manure, enhance soil health and improve the retention of supplemental nitrogen fertilizer.

A recent study from Cornell University found that emission intensities of New York dairies were among the lowest per gallon of milk in both the U.S. and across North America. Key factors include the widespread use of manure over commercial fertilizers and the extensive production of high-quality, homegrown feed. These findings offer valuable insights to farms, cooperatives, and supply chains seeking to better understand their environmental footprint and identify opportunities for continued improvement.

California dairy farms are achieving significant methane reductions accredited to a strong commitment for environmental stewardship, as well as long-term economic viability supported by the state’s voluntary, incentive-based approach. Through a range of conservation efforts and incentives, California is projected to surpass its goal of cutting 7.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2030.

Athian has published a new emissions reduction protocol outlining how U.S. dairy farmers can lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the use of the amino-acid balanced, low-protein feed, AjiPro®-L. This protocol joins three others in Athian’s growing library, all aimed at supporting producer incentives for their verified on-farm GHG reduction efforts. Verified outcomes can be sold to supply chain partners, who may report them as Scope 3 insets.

Legacy Ranches of California is well-versed in navigating sustainable practices and technologies to address environmental challenges faced by their farm. The drive for enhanced farm efficiencies has prompted key operational decisions regarding agronomics, herd characteristics, manure management, and energy usage.

As new advancements emerge, dairy farmers are continuing to embrace the knowledge and innovation of dairy sustainability practices and technologies. Feed management and breeding strategies are two approaches to reducing enteric methane emissions. Researchers are now exploring the use of artificial intelligence to deliver data to farmers, offering insight into how management decisions might impact emissions.