On Earth Day last week, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) released the results of an internal assessment that helped the cooperative to determine its carbon footprint. “Whether it is in our plants, on the road or on member farms, we are working to ensure that DFA and our members’ legacies last for generations,” said David Darr, vice president of … Read More
Turkey Hill to Use Wind Power
Turkey Hill Dairy will be receiving a quarter of its annual electricity needs from the new wind turbine power project at neighboring Frey Farm. In partnership with PPL Renewable Energy and Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA), the Frey Farm Wind Turbine project includes two wind turbines that will generate about 25 percent of Turkey Hill Dairy’s annual electricity … Read More
USDA Awards Bioenergy Producer Payments to Dairies
More than a dozen dairy operations are getting bioenergy producer payments from USDA as incentives to produce advanced biofuels. Under the Farm Bill, the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels authorizes payments to eligible producers to expand production and use of advanced biofuels. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the payments Thursday for over 120 operations in 33 states to support the … Read More
Wisconsin Dairies Honored for Energy Excellence
Two Wisconsin dairies were recently honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Energy Management that recognizes businesses dedicated to adopting energy-efficient and sustainable practices in Wisconsin. Focus on Energy, a state program partnering with utility companies worked with the dairies to implement energy-saving efforts and continue to investigate new technologies and find more ways to save energy throughout their … Read More
New Compost Facility Opens
Pennsylvania has a new composting facility, Oregon Dairy Organics, which will use up to 20,000 tons of manure from a Lancaster County farm, Oregon Dairy. The Hurst family, which operates the dairy along with an adjacent grocery store, partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund and Terra-Gro Inc. of Peach Bottom, Pa., on the project. The 5-acre facility will initially use … Read More
Vermont Spotlights Cow Power
A Vermont dairy farm that turns cow manure into electricity held an open house Friday to spotlight “Cow Power.” Among those who visited Chaput Family Farms in North Troy was a team of USDA officials. The project was funded with assistance from USDA. “Anaerobic digesters like the one here at Chaput Family Farms will benefit our environment as well as … Read More
Five Star Dairy Receives Environmental Award
The Wisconsin Dairy Business Association (DBA) presented its first ever Environmental Excellence Award on Thursday at World Dairy Expo and the winner is Five Star Dairy of Elk Mound. General manager Lee Jensen accepted the award from DBA President Jerry Meissner and Executive Director Laurie Fischer. Jensen owns and operates Five Star Dairy with his wife and veterinarian, Dr. Jean … Read More
Study Finds Dairy Only 2% of Total Emissions
The U.S. dairy industry announced today that it has completed a carbon footprint study that measured the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a gallon of milk in the United States. The carbon footprint study, together with data from additional studies measuring GHG emissions, helps validate that total U.S. dairy GHG emissions are approximately 2 percent of total U.S. emissions. … Read More
Energy Effiecient Proposals Sought
Dairy companies and suppliers of technology and equipment are being invited to form consortia to research and demonstrate new energy efficient technologies in both CIP and homogenization. The Carbon Trust will provide up to £500,000 per project to fund a maximum of 60% of project costs, depending on State Aid rules for the project type and size of company, as … Read More
Vermont Cow Power
Many dairy farmers are using methane digesters to produce electricity for their farms and their neighbors. Here is the story of one farmer’s experience. What’s better than a cow that supplies fresh, wholesome milk? Well, how about one that also provides a clean and renewable source of energy? As owners of the Vermont-based Pleasant Valley Farm, Mark and Amanda St. … Read More