Dairy, Soil & Water Regeneration Grant Promotes Integrated Research to Support Dairy Industry Commitment to Sustainability

This research will be executed across four dairy regions responsible for about 80% of U.S. milk production: Northeast, Lakes, Mountain and Pacific. Dozens of dairies representing different climates and soils across major production regions are participating in a baseline survey of soil health and carbon storage. Additionally, eight regional farms, including five operating dairies, two university research dairies and one USDA-ARS research farm, are participating in the project. At these sites, researchers are:

1. Quantifing the state of soil carbon stock and soil health at geographically dispersed dairies across the U.S.
2. Delivering science-based, credible data on GHG emissions, nutrient management, and soil carbon storage on novel soil health management systems in large-plot and field-scale experiments.
3. Socializing learnings across the dairy community

The objective is to engage farmers in soil health management practices and monitor changes in greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon storage, soil health and water quality.

Net Zero Initiative is an industry-wide effort led by six national dairy organizations: DMI, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, International Dairy Foods Association, Newtrient, National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

The FFAR grant will advance the work of the Net Zero Initiative in collaboration with the Soil Health Institute and leading dairy research institutions, including: Cornell University, University of California at Davis, University of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, University of Vermont and USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research in Kimberly, ID. For information about the dairy checkoff, visit www.usdairy.com.

Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by America’s 35,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® is a leadership forum that brings together the dairy community and third parties to address the changing needs and expectations of consumers and customers. Initiated in 2008 by dairy farmers through the dairy checkoff, Innovation Center leaders and members collaborate on important areas like the environment, nutrition and health, animal care, food safety, and community contributions. Through the Innovation Center, the U.S. dairy community demonstrates its commitment to continuous improvement from farm to table, striving to ensure a socially responsible and economically viable dairy community. Learn more.

This project supports FFAR’s Agroecosystem and Production Systems Research Priorities by engaging farmers in soil health management practices and monitoring changes in greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon storage and water quality.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), Newtrient, Nestle, Starbucks and other Net Zero Initiative partners are providing funding and in-kind support.