In the news this week:
- CARB approves Low Carbon Fuel Standard program updates
- Senate agriculture committee releases farm bill draft text
- DFA plans to stop production at Indiana condensing plant in January
- Checkoff launches new conservation resource
- DCRC annual meeting addresses sustainable dairy cattle management practices
CARB approves Low Carbon Fuel Standard program updates
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved updates to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program in an announcement made Nov. 8, stating the amendments will improve private sector investments in decarbonizing the state’s transportation sector.
Such updates set targets to reduce the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuel sector by 30% by 2030 and by 90% by 2045. The updates adopted by the board include phasing out avoided methane crediting associated with the use of biomethane used as a combustion fuel, but extending the use of biomethane for renewable hydrogen to align with goals outlined in the 2022 Scoping Plan – the state’s plan for reducing climate-warming emissions and reaching carbon neutrality.
In an attempt to reach these targets, biofuels, including renewable natural gas (RNG), will participate differently in the program moving forward.
Fuel producers will now have to track crop-based and forestry-based feedstocks to their point of origin. The program will also require independent feedstock certification to ensure biomass-based and aviation fuel feedstocks are not undermining carbon stocks.
For RNG projects that break ground after Dec. 31, 2029, the LCFS credit generation phases out after 11 years on Dec. 31, 2040.
As of third-quarter 2024, North America had 435 operational RNG facilities, plus another 455 sites either in construction or in the planning stages. California alone has 133 operational sites with another 84 set to come online.
“CARB’s commitment today to increasing the ambition of this program also upholds support for renewable natural gas projects that capture methane from organic waste sources,” states Sam Wade, RNG Coalition’s director of public policy, in response to the CARB decision. “While there remain aspects of the program that could use improvement, today’s decision signals to our industry that California remains a committed partner in building a cleaner, healthier and more secure energy future.”
Additionally, for hydrogen projects, effective Jan. 1, 2035, hydrogen produced using fossil gas as a feedstock is ineligible for LCFS credit generation unless biomethane attributes are matched to the hydrogen production.
The LCFS program reduces air pollution and GHG emissions by establishing a declining carbon intensity target for transportation fuels in the state. Producers that don’t meet the benchmarks purchase credits from others that do meet the benchmarks. In total, the program has generated $4 billion annually in private sector investment for the cleaner transportation sector. And to date, it has reduced the carbon intensity of California’s fuel by almost 13% and displaced 70% of the diesel used with cleaner alternatives.
“The proposal approved today strikes a balance between reducing the environmental and health impacts of transportation fuel used in California and ensuring that low-carbon options are available as the state continues to work toward a zero-emissions future,” says CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “Today’s approval increases consumer options beyond petroleum, provides a roadmap for cleaner air and leverages private sector investment and federal incentives to spur innovation to address climate change and pollution.”
Senate agriculture committee releases farm bill draft text
Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, introduced the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act on Nov. 18, which builds on the farm bill framework she released in May.
The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act includes more than 100 bipartisan bills that focus on strengthening the farm safety net, nutrition assistance, rural prosperity and conservation. It includes $20 billion to increase reference prices, make crop insurance more affordable, support new and beginning farmers and ranchers, invest in agriculture research and provide disaster assistance to producers. Additionally, it includes $8.5 billion for nutrition assistance programs – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – and a $4.3 billion investment in rural communities to improve rural health care, childcare, education and internet access, while creating jobs.
Here is an overview of some of the programs included in the bill.
- Builds on the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) safety net to help dairy producers protect against milk price drops or high feed costs
- Backs American farmers’ abilities to use common names like “Parmesan” for marketing products sold around the globe
- Establishes a permanent structure for disaster assistance
- Doubles the funding for early detection, rapid response and recovery from animal disease outbreaks like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or African swine fever
- Supports trade programs by investing $1.4 billion to develop markets for American agriculture by doubling funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD) beginning in 2028
- Makes crop insurance more affordable by increasing premium subsidies on the most common, area-based crop insurance policies and on individual coverage for all farmers
- Permanently authorizes conservation programs for the first time and increases access to climate-smart agriculture and conservation resources
- Places new focus on reducing methane in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and sets aside funding for small farms
- Brings all the climate-smart agriculture funding from the Inflation Reduction Act into the farm bill to bolster voluntary conservation practices and renewable energy
- Supports farmers and rural communities affected by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination by authorizing support for states to monitor, respond to, provide financial assistance and conduct research on farms and agricultural land contaminated by PFAS – $250 million is included for initial response efforts.
- Brings investments in on-farm and rural small business renewable energy into the farm bill
The Senate agriculture committee will now debate and mark up the bill, which, upon approval, will move to the Senate floor for consideration.
DFA plans to stop production at Indiana condensing plant in January
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced it plans to idle production at its condensing plant in Goshen, Indiana, effective Jan. 2, 2025.
“After carefully assessing potential long-term shifts in milk production and product demand across the nation, and as part of our ongoing efforts to optimize capabilities across our plant network, we have come to the difficult decision to idle the manufacturing side of the plant,” DFA said in a press statement.
The warehouse portion of the plant will remain open for technical work and equipment repairs to service the DFA network of plants.
As a result, 40 employees will be impacted. “The employees at the facility have done an excellent job of producing dairy ingredients, and we appreciate all their hard work and dedication. We are committed to working with employees to help them through this transition,” DFA said.
The current milk volume received by the Goshen plant will be sent to nearby manufacturing facilities after Dec. 31.
Checkoff launches new conservation resource
The dairy checkoff has launched the Dairy Conservation Navigator, an online resource hub designed to provide farm advisers, stakeholders and conservation professionals with science-based information on more than 80 sustainable farming practices and technologies.
The Navigator aggregates science-based information from more than 70 experts, helping users make informed decisions that enhance farm profitability and sustainability efforts.
“Sustainability is one of those topics where there’s so much information, but it’s scattered across countless websites and it’s often difficult to know what’s credible and applicable to dairy farming,” said Bridgett Hilshey, senior director of sustainability projects at Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). “Our goal is to simplify the process of accessing that information – offering a single, trusted platform where industry professionals can find scientifically backed information about practices that can help improve farm sustainability.”
The tool features a filterable database, allowing users to find solutions tailored to their specific needs. Each practice includes a summary outlining its purpose, conditions for use, implementation considerations, funding options and environmental benefits.
Additionally, the checkoff partnered with experts nationwide to create free short courses covering topics like environmental modeling, carbon markets and water conservation.
The tool is designed for the wide range of professionals who support farm decisions, including veterinarians, nutritionists, agronomists, equipment suppliers, conservationists, financial advisers as well as those associated with cooperatives, processors, university extension and others.
The Navigator will be frequently updated to reflect the latest research, field trials and emerging technologies.
DCRC annual meeting addresses sustainable dairy cattle management practices
The Lone Star State hosted 170 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) members, representing 25 U.S. states and six countries, in Arlington, Texas (and virtually), Nov. 12-14, for its 2024 annual meeting. Presenters shared ideas to help attendees create effective approaches to fostering sustainable reproductive programs for dairy cattle.
“The 2024 DCRC annual meeting highlighted topics that are crucial to operating dairy businesses long term, said Program Chair Benjamin Voelz, STgenetics technical services team manager. “This year’s speakers included some of the world’s most prominent dairy cattle reproduction experts who discussed incorporating new technologies into reproductive strategies to achieve improved reproduction performance.”
Featured topics included The Resilient Dairy Genome Project, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 infection in dairy cattle and dairy herd health in the context of a sustainable future.
Outgoing DCRC President Tracy Burnett, University of Guelph, handed the gavel to Ralph Bruno, Zoetis. Other DCRC board members include Vice President Jennifer Spencer, Texas A&M University; Secretary-Treasurer Alex Scanavez, Alta Genetics; past President Burnett and director members Kim Egan, Genex; Augusto Madureira, Michigan State University; and Mark Doornink, Parnell.
Committee chairs include Awards, Katelyn Allen, Hoard’s Dairyman; Program, J.P Martins, University of Wisconsin – Madison; Education, Caio Figueiredo, Washington State University; Membership, Jennifer Spencer, Texas A&M University; and Nomination, Tracy Burnett.
DCRC thanks outgoing board members William “BJ” Jones, Center Hill Veterinary Clinic; Luciano Caixeta, University of Minnesota; and Brian Schilling, Schilling Farms LLC; for their outstanding service to DCRC.
In addition, DCRC honored 24 dairies for reaching exceptional reproduction achievements. The dairies excel at reproductive efficiency, fertility and well-implemented management procedures.
Platinum award winners
- Crosswind Jerseys, Stefan Temperli, Elkton, South Dakota
- Diamond J Dairy, Wiebren Jonkman, Merced, California
- Felling Dairy LLC, Jason Felling, Sauk Centre, Minnesota
- Nustar Farms, Anthony and Lori Nunes, Sibley, Iowa
- Ryzebol Dairy, Brant Ryzebol, Mantorville, Minnesota
- Windulan Holsteins, Mike Portena, Monkton, Ontario, Canada
Gold award winners
- Davis Family Farm, Brad and Jayme Davis, Darlington, Wisconsin
- Pleasant View Farm, Rodney Metzler, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania
- Ripps Dairy Valley, Chuck and Troy Ripp, Waunakee, Wisconsin
- Ruedinger Farms, John Ruedinger and Dave Zappa, Van Dyne, Wisconsin
- Scheps Dairy, Ken and Dan Scheps, Almena, Wisconsin
- Verhoef Dairy Farm Inc., Reinoud and Klaartje Verhoef, Belmont, Ontario, Canada
Silver award winners
- Az. Agr. Cervi Ciboldi, Giovanni and Cecilia Ciboldi, Luignano, Cremona, Italy
- Johnson Hill Dairy, Johnson Family, Valders, Wisconsin
- Maple Ridge Dairy, Brian Forrest, Stratford, Wisconsin
- Rock River Jerseys, Brett Kirkley, Doon, Iowa
- Stewardson Dairy Farms, Dylan Stewardson, Thedford, Ontario, Canada
- Victory Farm, Kevin Souza, Milbank, South Dakota
Bronze award winners
- Brian Ryzebol Dairy, Ryan and Marique Buchanan, Bailey, Michigan
- Ferme Dessaint Inc., Nicholas Dessaint, Sarsfield, Ontario, Canada
- Hammink Dairy, Wim Hammink, Bruce, South Dakota
- LDT Keller, Luke and Dan Keller, Fort Recovery, Ohio
- Marks Farms, Lindsey Peck, Lowville, New York
- Newmont Dairy, Walt and Will Gladstone, Fairlee, Vermont
Next year’s DCRC annual meeting is set for Nov. 11-13, in Middleton, Wisconsin. Watch the DCRC website for program updates.
