CHANGE ON THE HORIZON

It always feels strange to talk about heat abatement strategies for livestock during the winter when much of the country is dealing with weather that creates problems opposite of what heat stress does. However, if consideration is given to heat mitigation early enough, farms have time to make adjustments for the warmer months that will eventually return.

Similarly, as I write this from our office in Wisconsin, a winter storm with snow, ice, wind, and bitterly cold temperatures is headed our way. And yet, global warming and climate change are on many people’s minds.

Of course, these are not new concerns. Buzzwords such as greenhouse gases and methane emissions have been circulating for years, and scientists attribute the global warming trend seen since the mid-1900s to humans’ contribution to the greenhouse effect.

While past attempts to put legislation into play to moderate climate change have been met with strong opposition, President Joe Biden has quickly pushed climate change mitigation to the forefront. The conversation has turned the corner from climate change to climate crisis, and the new administration has made it clear that legislation in this area is a top priority.

In discussions about global greenhouse emissions, the finger often gets pointed at agriculture. At times, food production’s contribution to the problem may be overestimated, while other culprits seem to get a pass. Meanwhile, there are people all across the level of concern spectrum, from individuals who fear the worst about global warming to those who question its existence.

Production agriculture is not optional; people around the world need food to eat. However, we can’t deny that cattle and crop production contribute to greenhouse emissions to some extent, and climate legislation is coming to agriculture, probably sooner rather than later.

Now is not the time to sit back and see where the chips fall, if agriculture wants a say in what this legislation looks like. That was the message that rang loud and clear during a panel discussion at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit held late last fall. The theme of that conversation was that farmers and others in agriculture need to lead this conversation; if not, the results will likely not be what we are hoping for. Read more about this discussion on page 8.

Several panelists stated that climate change legislation must be economically beneficial for farmers; they also emphasized the need for it to be voluntary. There seems to be agreement on that front by at least some lawmakers. In a media call, Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, shared a few details about the proposed climate bill she is endorsing. “What we are talking about is a system that is voluntary and producer led,” Stabenow said. “The Growing Climate Solutions Act creates a producer advisory committee to USDA, which is very important.”

To make sure climate legislation for agriculture is financially sustainable and voluntary, farmers need to be part of the planning process. Crop farmer Brandon Hunnicutt, who spoke during the panel discussion, said that we can either drive this train or be taken for a ride. With much at stake for not only this generation of farmers but also for generations to come, agriculture must find its seat at the table.

In the end, I think we can all agree that change is coming, and the end goal is a future that has the same plentiful resources we enjoy today. Let’s embrace the opportunities that are before us, work through the good and the bad, take control of what we can, and make 2021 the best it can be.

Until next time,

Abby

Let us know your thoughts. Write Managing Editor Abby Bauer, 28 Milwaukee Ave. West, P.O. Box 801, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538; call: 920-563-5551; or email: abauer@jofnm.com.

California

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded nearly $25.4 million in grants in 2020 to fund methane reduction projects across the state. The grants are part of the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP).

In all, 12 DDRDP projects totaling $16.5 million and 13 AMMP projects totaling $8.9 million are being funded. These projects will reduce an estimated 191,360 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. They will also contribute $32 million in matching funds.

Since 2015, 235 dairy families in California have participated in methane reduction efforts through these programs. In all, these projects eliminate the release of 2.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, which is the equivalent of removing more than 495,000 cars from the road.

United States

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which formalized a relationship that began in 2012. The memorandum opens doors for further collaboration in areas of mutual interest and allows the agency to gain a deeper understanding of and support for U.S. dairy farmers.

“The MOU will explore mutually beneficial opportunities for dairy farms of all sizes, geographies, and practices to gain benefits from EPA resources, including research grants, educational training materials, and data,” said Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy President Barb O’Brien.

Wisconsin

Four groups have joined together to advocate for productive changes that will protect water sources while supporting farmers. The groups are Clean Wisconsin, the Dairy Business Association, The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association. The partners have four principles that will guide their efforts:

1. Ensuring clean drinking water.

2. Reimagining the CAFO program.

3. Supporting current conservation efforts and fostering innovation.

4. Improving the state’s non-point pollution from agricultural sources program.

Oregon

The Oregon Water Resources Commission voted unanimously to deny a request by Stand Up to Factory Farms, a coalition of environmental groups and others. Their petition asked for the establishment of a 5,000-gallon daily limit on water withdrawals by new or expanded Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Umatilla and Morrow counties.

Under the state’s livestock watering exemption, water can be diverted or pumped for livestock use without a water rights permit from the Oregon Water Resources Department, which the commission oversees. Members of the commission felt a petition was a not a good way to handle this problem and looks to coordinate with other state agencies that oversee CAFOs.

California

People living in Southern California can now pay a premium to receive some of their natural gas as biofuel generated from landfills and cow manure.

California state regulators agreed to a three-year plan by Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas and Electric to sell what the utility considers renewable natural gas created from capturing methane from manure lagoons at dairy farms, landfills, or other places. Customers can pay a higher rate to have this biofuel blended into the natural gas piped into their homes and businesses.

According to an article in Bloomberg, environmental groups are opposed to this idea, citing that it’s an effort by the utility companies to distract from the push to phase out natural gas in California. Their stance is that biogas does little to cut emissions or address the industrial impacts of dairy farming.

Cover crops and manure application are two ways to build soil organic matter.