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News and Information Related to Sustainability in Dairy

A collection of articles relevant to dairies and their environmental impact.

Got Sustainability? UVM Researchers Test Ways to Green-Up Dairy Farming

November 19, 2024 | Kristen Munson

The University of Vermont research team is among the several institutions nationwide participating in the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project. As severe flooding has devastated New England dairy forage production in recent years, the team in Vermont is assessing how soil health management systems compare to commonly used field practices and their effects on water quality, crop yield, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic outcomes.

Supporting Sustainable Dairy: New Checkoff Conservation Resource Goes Live

November 18, 2024 | Scott Wallin

The new Dairy Conservation Navigator, an online tool created for a diverse group of professionals assisting with on-farm decisions, consolidates information on various field, manure, and energy conservation practices into one platform. This science-backed data on best management practices and technologies will guide farm advisors and decision-makers in making informed choices to reduce the environmental impact of farms through evidence-based strategies.

CARB updates the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to increase access to cleaner fuels and zero-emission transportation options

November 8, 2024 | California Air Resources Board

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently made updates to the highly effective Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), of which now includes goals to cut the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuel pool by 30% in 2030 and 90% in 2045 while strengthening support for zero-emissions infrastructure. These updates to LCFS are not only projected to provide billions of dollars in private sector investment but also provide health and economic benefits such as expanding electric and hydrogen fueling options, lowering fuel costs, improving air quality, and reducing health care costs linked to air pollution from fossil fuels.

FARM Program Releases Environmental Stewardship Version 3

October 31, 2024 | Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM)

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has now launched Version 3 of the FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) greenhouse gas estimation tool. This updated version features the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model and offers new optional data inputs for a customized output, including cropping systems, culling rates, and reproductive strategies. This enhancement is crucial for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and processors to further their sustainability initiatives.

Researching soil and water impacts

October 31, 2024 | Victor Green

Victor Green, Director of Soil Health and Crop Sustainability at Dairy Management Inc., shares insights from the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration (DSWR) project, an eight-year study aimed at addressing research gaps in dairy feed production to assist farmers in their decision-making. While the findings from DSWR will unfold over several growing seasons, institutions nationwide are beginning to see preliminary results.

O’Brien Outlines ‘Now, Next, Future’ Checkoff Strategies at Annual Meeting

October 25, 2024 | Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy Management Inc.’s (DMI) CEO, Barbara O’Brien, highlighted dairy checkoff’s key strategies at the 2024 Joint Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. O’Brien elaborated on how the checkoff initiative is actively working to meet the evolving market trends and shifting consumer demands, both in the present and as part of its plans for 2025 and beyond.

National Dairy FARM Program Announces 2024 Excellence Awards Winners

October 23, 2024 | National Dairy FARM Program NMPF

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program recently presented its fourth annual FARM Excellence Awards at the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Joint Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Double S Dairy in Markesan, Wisconsin, a patron of Saputo Cheese U.S.A., received the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award. This recognition highlights the farm’s commitment to innovation and its efforts to implement sustainable and environmentally responsible practices at the farm level.

New sustainability tool means better insights

October 14, 2024 | Nicole Ayache

Version 3 of the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Environmental Stewardship (ES) tool is set to launch in the coming weeks. A key feature of this update is the integration of the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model, which will assist producers in gaining deeper insights into on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and opportunities for reduction. RuFaS will enable the tool to simulate a range of scenarios involving feed rations, manure management, field practices, and more.

Prairie Farms Dairy Honors Farmers for Stewardship Efforts

October 10, 2024 | Darin Copeland

Prairie Farms, a farmer-owned cooperative, is now offering premium payments to its farmers for their participation in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management program and their engagement in the FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) program. These incentives will allow farmers to invest in their lifelong commitment to sustainability and continue providing high-quality of milk to consumers.

Scientific Rigor, Review Helps Ensure Credibility of Athian-Validated Protocols

October 2, 2024 | Athian

Athian-validated protocols undergo an extensive scientific review and monitoring process to ensure their credibility and accuracy. To uphold scientific transparency and integrity, each protocol must undergo a process of submission, development, scientific review, validation, and cataloging. Final approval marks just the beginning, as these protocols are living documents that require frequent evaluation to ensure they remain relevant and effective.