The dairy industry is working on a new national research project designed to “to advance the science and best management practices of renewable energy, environmental stewardship and life cycle analysis of dairy systems and processes.”

The joint project between the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy™, the Dairy Research Institute™ and Idaho’s Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) hopes to develop a national research program focused on enhancing the economic viability of dairy farms and rural communities.

“I’m pleased that the Innovation Center and our state resources through the CAES national research partnership are working collaboratively on renewable energy, sustainability and environmental impacts of the national dairy industry,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment. “The combined effort of private industry with state and federal partners is an example of sound use of public and private resources on behalf of Idaho and the rest of the United States.”

Among the objectives of the partnership are to collect baseline data on nutrient and manure management practices to assist in the identification of best practices for dairy farms; identify opportunities for dairy farms of all sizes to increase renewable energy production through anaerobic digesters, gasification and composting; and analyze the U.S. utility grid infrastructure, electric rates and renewable energy incentives applicable to dairy farm operations.

Source: Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announcement