News

Athian is partnering with the National Milk Producers Federation and California Dairies Inc. to develop a “carbon intensity” protocol that would be supported by the FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) program. The protocol, aligning with FARM ES methodology, will define, quantify, and verify production efficiencies and practice adoption that contribute to a reduced environmental footprint on-farm. This collaboration incentivizes producers for their sustainable practices, while helping food companies reduce their Scope 3 emissions.

Dr. Antonio Faciola, Associate Professor of Ruminant Nutrition at the University of Florida, is researching a new way to reduce methane emissions in cattle through an innovative fat supplement. Using in-lab ruminant simulation, the fat supplement derived from flaxseed and protected by a pea protein matrix, was found to reduce 20% of enteric methane emissions when fed at a 5% supplementation.

Nutrient content in manure can change depending on how it is stored, mixed, and applied, making it difficult for farmers to know the amount of nutrients their crops are receiving. A manure sensor technology, developed by John Deere, uses near-infrared spectroscopy to sensor manure nitrogen as it is being applied and instantly adjusts the tractor’s speed or the flow rate of manure to apply the correct amount of nitrogen to meet crop needs. This adjustment can prevent overapplication, resulting in reduced input costs and lowered risk for nutrient leaching and runoff.

Dairy farmers have practiced the meaning of sustainability for centuries, and today are striving to meet the industry’s 2050 environmental stewardship goals. Dedicated to their land, legacy, and consumers, dairy producers are not only finding new ways to reduce their environmental footprint, but are more open about their efforts in meeting a balance of environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility when implementing sustainable practices and technologies.

A recent study by Penn State University assesses best management practices for diverting food waste from landfills, where roughly one third of that produced for human consumption is destined. The study found that redirecting food waste in the U.S. alone to alternatives such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and refeed to dairy cows could offset methane emissions equivalent to those produced by nearly nine million dairy cows, or approximately 90% of the U.S. dairy cow population.

Washington dairies and farms across the U.S. build on practices of the past, with modern innovations, to reduce their environmental footprint and ensure a long-term, viable future for generations to come. By meeting a complex balance of tradition and technology, farms are advancing in key areas of herd nutrition, cow comfort, water quality and reuse, waste management, and energy production in the continuously evolving landscape of the dairy industry.

The Varcor system from Sedron Technologies processes dairy manure into certified organic liquid nitrogen and phosphorus-rich dry solids. Unlike conventional synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, the Varcor system lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertilizer production. Additionally, the Varcor system offers a more cost-effective solution, reducing farms’ reliance on commercial fertilizers and promoting a closed-loop, sustainable approach to manure management.

At Cinnamon Ridge Farms in Iowa, sustainability is more than just a buzzword, it’s a foundation to telling dairy’s story and shaping the industry’s future for generations to come. The Dairy Sustainability Alliance, created by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, helped Cinnamon Ridge Farms reinforce this perspective. The Alliance brings together the entire dairy supply chain, including farmers, ensuring everyone has a seat at the table in a shared commitment to sustainability and collaboratively addressing challenges across the industry.

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.