Latest News From Americas Conservation Ag Movement

How Can Dairy Producers Utilize Carbon Credits to Benefit Climate and Their Bottom Lines?
How Can Dairy Producers Utilize Carbon Credits to Benefit Climate and Their Bottom Lines?

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy unveiled some big moves in the private sector that may make it easier for dairy producers to capitalize on carbon credits to benefit both climate and their bottom lines.

 Q&A With Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout And Dairy West Vice President Of Sustainability Marissa Watson
Q&A With Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout And Dairy West Vice President Of Sustainability Marissa Watson

Producers turn to their peers for insights on new practices and technologies while balancing environmental stewardship with daily priorities such as labor availability and succession planning.

Innovation Drives Sustainable Success
Innovation Drives Sustainable Success

Named IDFA 2022 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year, the Hildebrand's have been at the forefront of innovation — from their processing plant to multifaceted industry partnerships to tapping into the A2 milk market.

Executive Recounts Key 2021 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Highlights
Executive Recounts Key 2021 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Highlights

Dairy farmers made progress on the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative and the industry advanced multiple partnership projects on many fronts, including research into methane reduction and collaboration with food companies.

U.S. Dairy Methane Research Trends Q&A With Dr. Juan Tricarico, VP, Environmental Research, Dairy Management Inc.
U.S. Dairy Methane Research Trends Q&A With Dr. Juan Tricarico, VP, Environmental Research, Dairy Management Inc.

Feed additives, metabolic pathways and methane-reducing gene traits all are part of new research efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cows.

Wisconsin Farmer Shares Climate Positive Tips For Producers, Trusted Advisers
Wisconsin Farmer Shares Climate Positive Tips For Producers, Trusted Advisers

A series of extreme rains prompted the Clark family to change the way it operates their farm and begin integrating more regenerative practices.

Water Conservation: A Dairy Farmer’s Perspective
Water Conservation: A Dairy Farmer’s Perspective

It’s becoming increasingly important to make every drop of used water count.

What Do Biden’s Climate Policies Mean for Agriculture?
What Do Biden’s Climate Policies Mean for Agriculture?

A Farm Journal Pulse Poll reveals what farmers think about Biden’s goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030.

Top Producer Summit: The State of Animal Agriculture
Top Producer Summit: The State of Animal Agriculture

Temple Grandin and Frank Mitloehner discuss the advancements in sustainability seen across the animal agriculture industry and what it means for the future.

Feed Sustainability: Moving the Animal Protein Industry Forward

As the animal protein industry continues to find innovative ways to decrease the carbon footprint of animal products, a new resource guide may help move those efforts forward.

Scientists found that the removal of dairy cattle from U.S. agriculture would only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.7%
Study Shows Removing Dairy Cows Would Have Minimal Impact on GHG Emissions

As greenhouse gas emissions have continued to grow over the years, one commonly suggested solution to reduce greenhouse gas output has been to reduce or eliminate the dairy industry in favor of plant production.

Starbucks Joins the Dairy Industry’s Initiative to Reach Net Zero
Starbucks Joins the Dairy Industry’s Initiative to Reach Net Zero

This month, the Innovation Center of U.S. Dairy announced Starbucks intent to support the Net Zero Initiative (NZI). 

A weed could one day serve as a new beneficial cover crop. Researchers at universities across the Midwest are working to genetically modify pennycress.
3 Tips for Cover Crop Success

Cover crops continue to work their way onto fields across the Midwest. While the benefits might be well known, so are the challenges in developing an on-farm system to work in each situation.

6 Megatrends Will Shape the Food Industry of 2050
6 Megatrends Will Shape the Food Industry of 2050

It’s not easy to be a successful food company. According to a recent research study, major food companies are experiencing a drop in sales and intensified competition from smaller players.

Sustainable Farm Thrives With Science
Sustainable Farm Thrives With Science

Ongoing partnership promotes profitability, efficiency.

6 Post-Pandemic Food Predictions
6 Post-Pandemic Food Predictions

The grocery, restaurant and food system will evolve.

Sustainable Genetics Create a Healthier Herd
Sustainable Genetics Create a Healthier Herd

The ultimate measure of the farm’s impact on the environment and economic success is pounds of milk produced per pound of dry matter fed to the milking cows.

Technologies and Practices Set the Standards for Sustainable Dairy
Technologies and Practices Set the Standards for Sustainable Dairy

Oregon’s largest dairy farm produces food with little to no waste, thanks to its closed-loop system.

Build relationships to inspire trust with people and organizations that might be misinformed about your farm's or the Industry's practices.
Dairies and Environmental Protection Can Be Compatible

Inspired by innovation and collaboration, Dirk Young has learned how to succeed in the dairy business while remaining a good neighbor.

13 Easy Ways to Lower Water and Energy Usage on Your Dairy
13 Easy Ways to Lower Water and Energy Usage on Your Dairy

If you are searching for new ways to become more sustainable on your farm, check out these 13 conservation practices that only take minutes to complete.

Sustainability: Better Practiced Than Defined
Sustainability: Better Practiced Than Defined

Take good care of cows, topsoil and water, and good things happen.

Using Cover Crops for Feed Production
Using Cover Crops for Feed Production

Along with a slew of environmental benefits, cover crops offer up some impressive nutritional benefits as well.

USDA data shows that from 2002 to 2019, the agency made 631 investments in anaerobic digestion worth $198 million, compared to 6,179 in solar worth $2.93 billion and 696 in wind worth $468 million.
Dairy Farmer Says Federal Support Could Increase Dairy Sustainability

The dairy industry has committed to reaching the goal of net zero by 2050, a goal Indiana dairy producer Mike McCloskey says could be met sooner with federal support. 

Could Precision Feeding Boost Efficiency and Reduce Methane Emissions?
Could Precision Feeding Boost Efficiency and Reduce Methane Emissions?

Efficiency is a key part to profitability. Whether it be looking for ways to reduce labor or streamlining tasks to save time, dairy farmers are always on the hunt for new ways to become more efficient.

By improving the air ventilation in the dairy calf barn, Gabe Middleton’s experience and industry research show dairy calves are more likely to thrive and have fewer incidences of bovine respiratory disease. He addressed the topic during the 2020 American Association of Bovine Practitioners Recent Graduate Conference.
PPTV System can Reduce BRD in Dairy Calves by up to 50%

The systems reduce air bacterial counts and noxious agents in barns by driving fresh, outside air into the microenvironment of the calf.

A Cycle of Sustainability
A Cycle of Sustainability

Dairy farm uses a variety of tools to keep their business environmentally viable.

The crossroads of stewardship and welfare.
Road Map for Animal Well-Being

The crossroads of stewardship and welfare

A state revolving fund (SRF) is a funding source available to some farmers that originates with federal, state and other capital and then issues loans to borrowers. As loans are repaid with interest, the underlying fund grows, and these increased funds are used to issue more loans. Thus, these funds “revolve.” States can also issue bonds in order to contribute to the SRF.
Need Conservation Dollars? Call Your State Ag Commissioner.

Your state department of agriculture might have just the answer—and resources—you need.