Media Contact:
Jamie Vander Molen Boehl
SVP, Sustainability Initiatives & Business Development, Newtrient
[email protected]
(312) 898-8218
ROSEMONT, IL – Nov. 28, 2023 –
On November 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Newtrient three grants totaling over $18 million in funding to support dairy methane emission reduction projects in the Midwest and Idaho. The funding is part of the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) which awarded more than $1 billion in funding to 81 projects, including 10 dairy centric projects.
The USDA announcement enables Newtrient to leverage Natural Resources Conservation Service’s investment combined with dairy supply chain investment to incentivize adoption of conservation practices. In addition to the $18 million NRCS funds, the projects have committed funding of $7 million collectively from dairy companies who will purchase the reduction outcomes generated by the producer as carbon insets.
“Through strong partnerships and use of both public and private dollars, Newtrient is eager to deliver a model for conservation projects that demonstrate economic and environmental viability for U.S. dairy farmers. These projects show how dairy farmers, cooperatives and companies are working together to reduce the environmental footprint of dairy,” said Chris Kopman, CEO at Newtrient.
U.S. dairy, responsible for less than 2% of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, can address on-farm emission reductions through feed production, enteric emissions, manure management and energy. More than 60% of these emissions, however, result from enteric and manure emissions. Newtrient’s projects will target methane emission-reducing practices including separation and storage manure technologies, nutrient recovery technologies and feed management.
“We are pleased to partner with Newtrient and others to help dairy companies work toward their sustainability commitments,” said Rachel Turgasen, Senior Director of Member Relations and Sustainability at Foremost Farms. “It’s exciting to provide Foremost Farms members with conservation solutions for their farms. It’s a positive way for the dairy supply chain to work together moving forward.”
Newtrient’s projects include:
- Accelerating Methane Emission Reductions in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana Dairy Producers in partnership with Foremost Farms USA, a dairy supply chain company and Athian, a carbon marketplace for the livestock industry
Leveraging $9M in RCPP funding and $4M in partner contributions, this project will help dairy farms in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana reduce methane emissions through implementing NRCS conservation practices focused on manure management and feed management to achieve a reduction of 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. - Methane Avoidance on Dairy Farms in Michigan Milk Producers Association Region in partnership with Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), Athian and a dairy supply chain company
Leveraging $6.2M in RCPP funding and $2M in partner contributions, this project aims to implement methane-emissions-reducing practices focused on manure management and feed management on farms in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, resulting in a reduction of 47,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. - Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Idaho Dairy Farms in partnership with McDonald’s, Schreiber Foods, Glanbia Nutritionals and Athian
Leveraging $3.1M in RCPP funding and $1.6M in partner contributions, this project seeks to reduce methane emissions through manure management and feed management practices on Idaho dairy farms, resulting in a reduction of 37,500 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
“This is a tremendous project that makes it possible for Idaho dairy farmers to continue to make sustainable improvements on their farms. Together with Glanbia and McDonald’s, Schreiber is excited to demonstrate our commitment and support for dairy farmers, resulting in lasting environmental impacts on the dairy value chain in Idaho,” said Josh Luth, Global Sustainability Lead at Schreiber Foods.
For a full list of the projects receiving RCPP funding, visit the USDA’s website, here.
About Newtrient
Newtrient was founded in 2015 with a mission to reduce dairy’s environmental footprint and make it economically viable to do so. Newtrient advances environmental technologies, products, and markets to help all farms voluntarily adopt climate-smart practices. With support from leading dairy companies, including Agri-Mark Inc., Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Foremost Farms USA, Michigan Milk Producers Association Inc., Prairie Farms, Select Milk Producers Inc., Southeast Milk Inc., Tillamook, United Dairymen of Arizona, and organizations including Dairy Management Inc. and National Milk Producers Federation, Newtrient serves as an environmental and technical resource to nearly all U.S. dairy farmers.
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