Environmental Management
CDRF invests in programs that take a proactive approach to support the California dairy industry to ensure continues to achieve an economically viable, socially beneficial, world-class position in environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare.
From farm to fork, the California dairy industry is recognized as a vital source of essential nutrients and needs to be recognized by consumers as proactively managing its relationship with the environment.
Although the California dairy community has already accomplished great strides in environmental stewardship, current and future regulations are wide-reaching, impacting all industries and stakeholders. The regulatory requirements for dairy farms surrounding water quality, water quantity, and air quality, specifically, will continue to impact long-term industry viability. CDRF facilitates and funds effective research, development, and education projects to assist dairy farmers in continued sound environmental management practice improvement. Priority is placed on projects which directly support dairy producers in complying with current and future environmental regulations while maintaining economic viability. CDRF’s research is informing and validating the efforts of California dairy producers and is distributed via direct outreach, CMAB, CDQAP, Dairy Cares and others, such as co-op and processor outreach mediums.
CDRF’s priority research areas of interest for Environmental Management are:
- Identifying water recharge opportunities on dairies
- Improving water use efficiency of forage crops
- Irrigation automation for water and labor savings
- Achieving water quality compliance on farm
- Advanced technologies for manure treatment and/or standardization
- Markets and technologies for exporting manure off farm
- Methane reduction opportunities and incentives
- Reducing enteric emissions
- Quantifying the benefits of dairy digesters and alternative manure management practices
- Improving soil health and biodiversity
- Projects that address multiple environmental targets (e.g., water use, air quality, soil health, nutrient management)
See below for current project details.
2025 Research and Educational Projects Portfolio
Advancing Markets for Producers Dairy Plus Program
TIMELINE: 2023-2028
In 2023, the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), in collaboration with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the University of California, Dairy Cares, and other dairy organizations, secured over $85 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program. This initiative, now managed as Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP), aims to incentivize producers to adopt advanced manure management practices, measure greenhouse gas and nitrogen reductions, and develop new markets for California dairy producers.
The largest component of the AMP grant is the Dairy PLUS Program, established under CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) that awards competitive grants to California dairy farms for the implementation of advanced manure management practices that reduce both methane emissions and nutrient surplus, and improves water quality.
In fall of 2023, California dairy producers’ applications were awarded nearly $18 million for 14 projects. One project is operational; others are in various stages of completion. The 2024 application round resulted in 48 completed applications requesting a combined $57.8 million in grant funding; 2024 selections are currently pending. The 2025 application solicitation period is under review.
California dairy producers who would like to apply for the Dairy PLUS Program should refer to the CDFA solicitation for funding eligibility amounts and specific program details.
Dairy Cares Communications and CDQAP Support
PROJECT LEAD: Michael Boccadoro, Dairy Cares
TIMELINE: 2025
This project is designed to raise public and industry awareness about the sustainable farming practices employed by California dairy farmers, showcasing their commitment to environmental stewardship. A key focus is fostering strong, collaborative partnerships among dairy producers, state agencies, researchers, and other stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to advancing sustainability goals. Supporting communications for the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) is another essential objective, helping to effectively convey the program’s value and impact.
The benefits of this initiative are multifaceted. By promoting collaboration across the dairy industry and related sectors, the project strengthens networks that facilitate knowledge sharing and innovation. Additionally, it aims to develop clear, measurable metrics and compelling outreach materials that highlight the leadership role of California dairy farmers in sustainable agriculture. These efforts not only improve public perception but also encourage wider adoption of best practices, ultimately contributing to the long-term environmental and economic resilience of the dairy sector in California.
Visit dairycares.com for more information.
Benchmarking and Describing California Dairy Sustainability Metrics
PROJECT LEAD: Jennifer Heguy, UC ANR
TIMELINE: 2023 – 2025
This project aims to establish benchmarking data on energy and water use across California dairy farms, laying the groundwork for developing future sustainability metrics tailored to the industry. It also focuses on evaluating nutrient management strategies that improve nitrogen utilization on farms or convert manure nitrogen into forms that can be transported more economically.
The benefits include providing valuable information to help California dairy producers make informed decisions toward meeting their sustainability goals. Additionally, the project offers insights into funding requirements and priorities to support ongoing and future efforts in optimizing nitrogen management within the state’s dairy sector.
Scoping the Environmental Feasibility of DairyMAR
RESEARCHER: Dr. Helen Dahlke, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2024 – 2025
This project aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing DairyMAR (managed aquifer recharge) on dairy-controlled, manure-managed cropland in California’s Central Valley, with a strong focus on ensuring that groundwater quality is not adversely affected. By studying this innovative water management practice, the project will develop foundational standards specifically tailored for DairyMAR implementation.
The benefits include opening the door for dairy farms to actively participate in managed aquifer recharge, potentially increasing available water resources for the dairy industry. This initiative represents the first U.S. project to examine the groundwater quality impacts of DairyMAR, providing valuable insights and data. Economically, DairyMAR could reduce the pressure to repurpose dairy crop land due to water shortages, helping sustain dairy production and farm profitability in water-constrained regions.
Effect of Nanobubbles on Dairy Manure Greenhouse Gases
RESEARCHER: Dr. Frank Mitloehner, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2024 – 2025
This project focuses on conducting laboratory experiments to assess the effectiveness of nanobubble technology in mitigating methane and other gas emissions from dairy manure. In addition to evaluating emission reductions, the study will analyze changes in the characteristics of treated manure to understand broader impacts on manure management. The goal is to determine whether nanobubbles can serve as a viable strategy for reducing environmental impacts from dairy operations.
The project also includes a cost analysis to estimate the economic feasibility of adopting nanobubble treatment. Preliminary expectations suggest the technology could reduce operational maintenance costs by 40% to 60% compared to traditional aeration methods. If successful, this approach may offer a scalable and replicable emissions mitigation strategy for California dairies, supporting environmental sustainability and economic efficiency in the industry.
Evaluation of Manure Treatment Technologies
RESEARCHER: Dr. Deanne Meyer, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2024 – 2025
This project focuses on evaluating advanced manure treatment technologies currently in use by observing their operation and sampling manure streams to assess nutrient and volatile solids removal. It aims to identify the chemical and physical characteristics of manure before and after treatment with these technologies—many of which have not yet been implemented on California dairies—to determine their effectiveness in reducing volatile solids, nitrogen fractions, and salts.
The benefits include providing the California dairy industry with clear, evidence-based information about the performance of emerging manure treatment technologies. This is particularly important given ongoing challenges with nitrogen surplus that exceeds crop and soil needs while threatening groundwater quality, especially in priority nitrate management zones. The project also anticipates changes in farming practices driven by sustainable groundwater management plans, such as fallowing land or shifting to alternative crops amid water shortages. Additionally, it helps dairy producers navigate a growing market of vendors offering environmental and regulatory compliance solutions by equipping them with site-specific, factual insights to make informed decisions about technology adoption.
Piloting Dairy Manure Subsurface Drip Irrigation (MSDI) System for Almonds*
RESEARCHER: John Cardoza, Sustainable Conservation
TIMELINE: 2024 – 2026
This project aims to improve groundwater quality by adapting an existing dairy manure subsurface drip irrigation (MSDI) system for safe use on almond orchards destined for pasteurization in the San Joaquin Valley. It focuses on expanding the application area of manure effluent nitrogen to almonds, providing sustainable nutrient management strategies, and evaluating potential food safety risks associated with MSDI use in almond production. Additionally, the project will perform a cost-benefit analysis to assess the economic feasibility of this approach.
The benefits include offering dairies a practical way to export excess nutrients, helping to prevent nitrogen overapplication on cropland. By linking dairy manure management with almond production, the project promotes environmental sustainability through nutrient repurposing and reduced impacts, showcasing a model of integrated agricultural resource use.
*CDRF is a minority funder of this project.
Enhancing the Climate Sustainability of Dairy Forage Production by Reducing Water Use and N2O Emissions with Manure Subsurface Drip Irrigation (MSDI)*
RESEARCHER: Dr. Sarah Castle, Sustainable Conservation
TIMELINE: 2024 – 2027
This project has two main goals: first, to verify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions achieved by manure subsurface drip irrigation (MSDI) compared to flood irrigation (FI) in dairy forage production, while also assessing nitrogen efficiency as an indicator of potential nitrogen leaching and groundwater impacts. Second, to further measure water use efficiency in the MSDI system.
Preliminary results indicate that MSDI can significantly lower nitrous oxide emissions and the overall carbon footprint, while enhancing both water and nitrogen use efficiency. The project will generate detailed data on milk yield, water use, nitrogen flows, and GHG emissions. These findings will inform scientific publications, guide sustainable on-farm practices, and help producers access financial incentives, ultimately supporting climate-smart agriculture, protecting groundwater, and advancing the environmental sustainability of California’s dairy industry.
*CDRF is a minority funder of this project.
FABULOUS: Fermented Agricultural Byproducts as Dietary Modulators to Reduce Methane from Cows
RESEARCHER: Dr. Mattias Hess, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2025 – 2026
This project aims to identify pre-fermented crop byproducts that can reduce enteric methane emissions from dairy cows by at least 10%, with one or more byproducts potentially achieving reductions of around 40%. By enhancing nutrient and bioactive availability for rumen microbes, the project promotes healthier digestion and better feed efficiency. It also diverts agricultural waste from landfills, repurposing it into valuable, climate-smart feed resources that align with California’s methane reduction goals under SB 1383.
The benefits are substantial—lowering feed costs through the use of affordable, locally sourced byproducts, improving supply chain resilience, and supporting California dairies in meeting climate policy targets. Additionally, this strategy fosters new partnerships with crop processors, boosts sustainability, and enhances the public image and marketability of climate-smart dairy products.
*This project is funded in partnership with the Valhalla Foundation
Hand-held Meters to Measure Lagoon Water Nitrogen
RESEARCHER: Nick Clark, UC ANR
TIMELINE: 2025 – 2026
This project collaborates with representative dairy farms and producers willing to test and share data, aiming to compare simple, on-site water testing tools with standard laboratory methods for measuring nitrogen levels in lagoon water. It investigates how easily measured water indicators—such as pH or electrical conductivity—can serve as reliable proxies to estimate nitrogen content, offering a practical approach for on-farm nitrogen monitoring.
The benefits of this work include enabling targeted nitrogen management through quick, real-time testing directly on the farm, which allows for more frequent and accurate nitrogen measurements in lagoon water. This helps farmers optimize nitrogen application to forage crops, enhancing nutrient use efficiency and supporting compliance with state wastewater discharge regulations. Additionally, the findings provide valuable insights for irrigation and manure system engineers to design improved nitrogen tracking and application tools.
Isolating New Species of Methanogens
RESEARCHER: Dr. Timothy Hackmann, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2025
This project aims to isolate, characterize, and name new species of methanogens from the rumen of California dairy cattle to support the development of more effective methane mitigation strategies. Methanogens are the microbes responsible for all methane emissions from cattle, yet only five species have been formally described from the rumen, and only two from California—both over 50 years ago.
The newly isolated strains will enable researchers to better understand methane production pathways, screen new additives, and identify potential weaknesses in existing approaches. Publicly available strains will also accelerate innovation by allowing other researchers and companies to test and refine methane-reduction technologies. Additionally, by training a graduate student in specialized culturing techniques, the project builds scientific capacity in this niche area. Ultimately, these outcomes will support the California dairy industry in meeting methane reduction mandates under Senate Bill 1383, while enhancing its long-term environmental sustainability and resilience.