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Home to more than 1,000 dairy farms and around 1.69 million lactating cows, California produces more milk than any other state in the U.S. Given this level of production, it is not surprising that dairy and livestock are responsible for over half of California’s methane emissions. This poses a critical question: Can California’s farmers and ranchers continue to meet the growing consumer demand for milk and other dairy products while also advancing environmental stewardship?
Through a combination of innovative policies, state funding and financial incentives for implementing new technologies, the state’s farmers, policymakers and scientists are working together to find solutions that balance agricultural production with sustainability. As part of this effort, California became the first dairy region in the world to set a goal of reducing its methane emissions by 40% by 2030 (compared to its 2013 emission levels) — and is already well on its way to achieving this significant goal.
“California’s climate targets for agriculture are some of the most ambitious in the world,” said Dr. Frank Mitloehner, director of the CLEAR Center at the University of California, Davis, which uses research to advance sustainability in animal agriculture. “The California dairy sector will likely meet the goal to reduce 40% of methane emissions.”
Thanks to its efforts to incorporate sustainability practices into dairy farming, California is helping to create a blueprint for progress around the world. What sets California apart is its voluntary, incentive-based approach to achieving methane reduction targets, Mitloehner said.
Here’s a look at some of their approaches.
California’s progress is a direct result of the previously mentioned Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act (SB 1383), which mandates a 40% reduction in methane emissions from 2013 levels by 2030. When this progressive state bill was passed in 2016, California became the first state to initiate plans for reducing its dairy methane emissions. Driven by financial incentives, collaborations with other producers to overcome barriers, market support and more, dairy farmers statewide are working to reduce methane emissions using innovations like anaerobic digesters and improved manure management practices.
Central to California’s success is its investment in methane-reducing technologies like dairy digesters. These systems cover manure lagoons and use anaerobic digestion to trap methane, preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere. The captured gas is then converted into renewable fuel, creating a sustainable loop that benefits both the environment and the economy. In short, biodigesters turn manure, food waste and other organic leftovers into clean energy and nutrient-rich fertilizers.
With funding available through initiatives like the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), dairy farms can now install and operate digesters with fewer financial barriers. According to Dairy Cares, a nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure the long-term sustainability of California’s dairy farming families, more than 300 methane-reduction projects have been installed on California dairy farms thanks to support from programs like the DDRDP.
California’s dairy industry is not just a leader in sustainability; it’s also an economic powerhouse. The state’s dairy cows are its largest agricultural commodity, producing more than 41 billion pounds of milk and generating $6.3 billion annually.
Despite the massive size and productivity of California’s dairy farms, the state has already reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4.8 million metric tons — proving that this model for sustainable dairy production is good both for farmers and the planet.
Backed by state-led initiatives, California’s dairy farmers are embracing the tools and technologies that will allow them to create lasting change. Innovations like methane digesters, precision agriculture tools and carbon-smart grazing practices are not only reducing emissions but also boosting productivity and resilience, creating a future where agriculture can meet a growing demand for meat and milk while helping to protect the environment.
Collaborations between dairy farmers, researchers and policymakers are helping California move closer and closer to a net-zero future — and the world has started taking notice. As a result, the state’s approach to sustainable dairy production helps demonstrate that agriculture is a key player in finding climate solutions that are beneficial for all. With California as the blueprint, producers in other regions can begin developing their own partnerships with state and local agencies, public institutions and agriculture commissions aimed at prioritizing sustainability.
“The progress [California has] made is impressive — not just because we’re cutting emissions but because we are setting a benchmark for a best-in-class approach,” Mitloehner said.
Through its ambitious methane-reduction targets, innovative technologies and collaborative approach, California is proof that bold goals can translate into real progress, and that farmers, scientists and policymakers can work together to achieve both environmental and economic success.
The tools and strategies for sustainable agriculture are within reach. Who will step up next in the team effort to build a more sustainable future?
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