California dairy producers are being invited to apply for the third funding round of the Dairy Plus Program (DPP), a major initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of advanced manure management technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental performance across the state's dairy industry.
The programme, administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability in partnership with the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), has approximately $34 million available for projects that support innovative manure management practices with multiple environmental benefits.
The funding is being provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Advancing Markets for Producers initiative and is intended to help bring emerging technologies to dairy farms of all sizes. The programme focuses on projects that can simultaneously reduce methane emissions, improve groundwater protection and address nitrogen and salt surpluses associated with manure management.
Since its launch in 2023, the Dairy Plus Program has supported 34 projects across California. Collectively, these initiatives are expected to reduce more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from manure management practices, an environmental impact comparable to removing approximately 355,000 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road. The projects are also anticipated to deliver substantial improvements in nutrient management and water quality outcomes.
The latest funding round reflects California's broader efforts to strengthen the sustainability and long-term resilience of its dairy industry, which remains a cornerstone of the state's agricultural economy. Milk is California's largest agricultural commodity, and the state accounts for approximately 18 per cent of total U.S. milk production, making it the country's leading producer of milk and dairy products.
According to research conducted by the University of California, Davis, the state's dairy sector generates tens of billions of dollars in economic activity and supports more than 150,000 jobs, underlining the importance of initiatives that help producers adapt to evolving environmental and regulatory requirements.
Eligible projects under the Dairy Plus Program include a range of advanced technologies and management approaches, such as vermifiltration systems, advanced solid-liquid separation technologies using flocculants or beads, and both mechanical and non-mechanical systems designed to separate manure solids from water.
By supporting the deployment of next-generation manure management technologies, the programme seeks to accelerate practical solutions that can improve environmental stewardship while enhancing the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of California's dairy sector.
Industry stakeholders view the initiative as an important opportunity for dairy producers considering investments in new technologies and nutrient management systems. The funding is expected to encourage wider adoption of innovative practices that can help producers address environmental challenges while improving operational efficiency and resource management.
The third solicitation of the Dairy Plus Program further reinforces California's position as a leader in agricultural sustainability initiatives and highlights the growing role of climate-smart technologies in shaping the future of dairy production.
