USDA DAIRY PARTNERSHIPS TACKLE METHANE EMISSIONS

The USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program is investing more than $18 million in efforts to reduce methane emissions on dairy farms through three projects with Newtrient.

Michigan Milk Producers Association chairman Doug Chapin tells Brownfield their cooperative has received $6.2 million as part of the grant which should help accelerate methane-reduction efforts on about 20 farms throughout their footprint which also includes Indiana and Ohio.

“Any NRCS conservation practice standards that has a viable methane reduction, whether it deals with waste separation, waste treatment, nutrient recovery, those things could be available,” he shares.

Chapin says feed management and additives could also be included in the project with Newtrient providing technical assistance to farmers.

An additional $9 million grant was awarded to farmers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana in partnership with Foremost Farms USA and others.

Idaho farmers received $3.1 million for a project that also collaborates with McDonald’s, Schreiber Foods, Glanbia Nutritionals, and Athian.

Partners have committed $7 million collectively from dairy companies who will purchase the reduction outcomes generated by the farmers as carbon insets.

Source : BrownField Dec 4th 2023