The Meat Institute released a new report entitled,“Greenhouse Gas Accounting: Emissions Factors Brief,” offering a closer look at how companies across the animal ag supply chain are currently measuring and reporting upstream greenhouse gas emissions.
“This report is intended as a practical resource for companies throughout the meat and poultry supply chain to better understand how emissions data are developed, to ask clearer questions of data providers, and to build strategies that reflect their operational realities,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The report also outlines current knowledge gaps and points to where practical guidance and coordination could help improve alignment throughout the supply chain.”
The brief reflects input from Meat Institute packer and processor members through surveys, interviews and industry roundtables, along with review by independent experts. It focuses on the scope 3 emission factors used today for beef, pork and poultry, and highlights areas where approaches differ across data sources, system boundaries, and calculation methods.
For the broader supply chain, the report shows that:
— Reported emission factor values span a wide range across proteins, often due to differences in functional units, geographic assumptions and whether impacts such as land use change are included or reported separately.
— Many companies reference the same core U.S. studies, but apply them in different ways based on their own sourcing regions, customers, and reporting needs.
— Recent publicly available data for poultry remains limited, with most of the reported information coming from third-party tools rather than published literature.
— Method choices — such as how methane is modeled or which Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment values are applied — can meaningfully affect reported results, even when companies are working from similar underlying data.
This report is a product of the Meat Institute’s Sustainability Committee.
Dairy Cares — Over the past eight years, California’s dairy farms have collectively achieved an annual reduction of 5 million metric tons of methane (CO2e) and counting. This is important, as scientists agree that reductions in methane emissions are critical to slowing global warming. The world-leading effort has drawn some well-deserved attention. Unfortunately, there are several common myths and misconceptions about California dairy’s methane reduction programs. Let’s explore the misnomers and the facts.
Myth #1: California’s methane reduction efforts are focused on digesters.
One common misconception is that digesters are the primary strategy being deployed to reduce dairy methane emissions in California. There are in fact several strategies being deployed, which are all equally important to ensuring success across all dairy farms, large and small. Here are the main strategies in no particular order:
Strategy #1:Methane Avoidance – California dairy farms are avoiding the creation of methane via alternative manure management projects. This includes manure separators, compost pack barns, manure scrape and vacuum systems, conversion to pasture-based operations, and other practices. Through its Alternative Manure Management (AMMP) and Dairy Plus programs, the state has funded a total of 209 alternative manure management (methane avoidance) projects, more than the 142 state-funded digester projects. Estimated total annual reductions from alternative manure management projects operating to date are 252,000 MTCO2e, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Strategy #2:Methane Capture and Utilization – California has 168 dairy digesters operating with about 75 more projects in development. 142 of these projects received funding from the state via the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP). Digesters capture methane from manure storage and put it to productive use as carbon-negative transportation fuel or other renewable energy needs. Estimated total annual reductions from operating California dairy digester projects to date are 2.53 million MTCO2e, according to information from CDFA and digester developers.
Strategy #3:Milk Production Efficiency/Herd Attrition – California dairy farms continue to shrink their environmental footprint by producing more milk (or consistent total milk volume) with fewer cows. Milk production efficiencies continue to be gained in many ways, including improved animal nutrition, selective breeding, and enhanced animal care and comfort. Overall, while total milk production has remained relatively stable, the number of dairy cows in California has continued to shrink since 2008, resulting in far fewer emissions. Estimated total annual reductions achieved to date are 2.13 million MTCO2e, based on herd numbers from the California Air Resources Board’s California Dairy and Livestock Database. These reductions are from both manure management and enteric methane (methane emitted directly from cows).
Strategy #4:Methane-Reducing Feed Ingredients – Additionally, a newer strategy is now also being deployed to directly address enteric methane emissions. On a growing number of farms, methane reducing feed ingredients are included in feed rations, helping reduce enteric methane emissions.
Strategy #5:Ongoing Research – Perhaps the most important strategy continues to be research. The California dairy sector supports ongoing research efforts to validate practices and identify additional strategies for further reducing methane emissions.
Myth #2: California’s methane reduction policies are encouraging dairy farms to grow larger.
Another harmful myth is that California’s methane reduction programs are incentivizing farms to grow larger. While it’s true that digester projects are more financially viable on larger dairies (including those that have experienced consolidation), the financial benefits of having a digester do not incentivize growth. This myth is based on the flawed assumption that dairies receive all revenue generated by a digester and therefore increase cows to increase revenues. In practice, digesters are substantial capital investments that are not financed, operated, and owned by the dairy farm. Most digesters are owned by specialized companies and investors that have access to capital, technology, and current natural gas infrastructure.
A 2024 analysis performed by ERA Economics found there is no evidence that digesters cause consolidation. Additionally, econometric analysis of county- and state-level farm digester data provides empirical evidence that digesters are not causing consolidation. While the California dairy sector has consolidated over the last several decades, the underlying drivers for consolidation are broad and pre-date digesters. The report from ERA Economics confirms analysis performed by the California Air Resources Board, which shows no linkage between digesters and herd growth on dairy farms.
Myth #3: CA policies encourage the creation of more methane for digester capture.
A similar myth is that digesters encourage dairy farms to create more methane so that more energy can be created and sold. This claim is counter to how California’s digesters are designed and operated. Nearly all California dairy digesters have a covered lagoon design. On a dairy with this kind of digester, manure is collected via flushing barn floors with recycled water that is sent to a storage lagoon before being used to irrigate forage fields. Manure stored without oxygen (in wet conditions) creates methane, which is why a plastic tarp is used to cover the lagoon, capturing methane for use as an energy source.
As solid separator (right) removes much of the manure solids before the stream enters covered-lagoon digester.
For best maintenance outcomes, there is a critical step that occurs before the stream enters the lagoon: separating out much of the solids via a manure separator. Installation of a mechanical separator is typically part of every farm’s digester project investment. Reducing the amount of solids that enter the lagoon reduces the amount of methane that is created and available for capture. However, it also helps prevent solids from building up in the lagoon, reduces odors, and minimizes the need for costly lagoon cleanouts. Therefore, digester projects technically use both the methane avoidance and methane capture strategies, to most effectively manage manure and reduce emissions.
Myth #4: California dairy farms operate without regulation.
A final myth is one that is sometimes claimed by opponents of dairy farming or uniformed media outlets: that California’s dairies operate with little to no regulation. This could not be further from the truth. California dairies operate under the strictest environmental regulations in the nation and must comply with the nation’s most stringent air quality protection rules. Dairies are already subject to multiple environmental permits and regular inspections by regional water quality authorities, regional air agencies, and county land use authorities. Each California dairy and cattle operation submits extensive, detailed reports on their operations to state authorities on an annual basis. While California’s dairies are not currently directly regulated for methane emissions, they are doing their part to voluntarily meet the state’s target for a 40% reduction by 2030. The state’s dairy methane reduction programs (DDRDP, AMMP, and Dairy Plus) are persistently over-subscribed with farm applications.
Dairy farmers continue to participate in important conversations about the environment, and more importantly, they continue to take action to reduce emissions. By correcting misinformation and busting harmful myths, their world-leading efforts can be better understood and supported. Achieving the full 40% reduction in dairy methane emissions by the 2030 target is within reach if additional funding is made available to continue the state’s successful programs.
California’s dairy farmers are committed to doing their part to reduce methane in ways that benefit local communities.
Sacramento, Calif., (October 27, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $35.2 million in grant funding to 18 dairy digester projects across the state. These projects, part of the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure on California dairy farms.
“California continues to the lead the nation in supporting smart climate programs that address on-farm challenges and promote agricultural sustainability,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “I applaud our dairy farmers for proactively addressing climate pollutants and reducing overall greenhouse emissions to help meet the state’s climate goals.”
Dairy manure produces methane when it decomposes. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps more than 80 times as much heat in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Dairy digesters help capture methane emissions, which can be used to produce electricity or natural gas.
CDFA also administers the Alternative Manure Management Program, which promotes non-digester manure management practices in California dairy and livestock operations to reduce methane emissions. CDFA received 53 applications by the Oct. 16, 2017 deadline, requesting a total of $29.5 million in grants. These applications are currently under review
Financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters comes from California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that uses Cap-and-Trade program funds to support the state’s climate goals. CDFA and other state agencies are investing these proceeds in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide additional benefits to California communities. Dairy digester grant recipients will provide an estimated $71.2 million in matching funds for the development of their projects.
Information about the 2017 Dairy Digester Research and Development Program projects is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/dd.
From left, Frank Loge, director of UC Davis’ Center for Water and Energy Efficiency, and CWEE project engineer Gabe Paras. (Andrea Martinez/UC Davis)
Davis, Calif., (October 25, 2017) – Over the next three and a half years, researchers at the University of California, Davis, will work with the Moulton Niguel Water District and Helio Energy Solutionsto better understand how water utilities can reduce California’s energy use as the state works to meet its ambitious greenhouse-gas reduction goals.
The California Energy Commission awarded the Center for Water and Energy Efficiency at UC Davis $3.1 million to pilot-test a system to help water utilities optimize their energy use and reduce operational costs while continuing to meet customers’ water needs.
If successful, the pilot program could help balance the electrical grid’s intermittent distribution of renewable energy, while providing substantial savings to ratepayers.
Reducing strain on grid
Moulton Niguel Water District spends approximately $2 million per year to power its water services for 170,000 customers in southern Orange County. CWEE researchers will combine water system hydraulic modeling with Helio Energy Solution’s PredictEnergy software platform to create a demand management system designed to reduce Moulton Niguel’s energy consumption.
“If adopted widely by urban water systems in California, the strain on the grid during peak hours could be reduced significantly, leading to more reliable electricity at lower costs to consumers,” said Frank Loge, faculty director of CWEE, professor of civil and environmental engineering and principal investigator on the grant.
Simple plan: Pump when rates are lower
The project will use real-time energy analytics to develop an energy-management system that adapts to changing energy demands and different energy-rate structures for Moulton Niguel’s potable and recycled water systems. While the system is complex, the plan is simple: When energy rates are lower, Moulton Niguel will pump more water, and as rates rise, the district plans to cut back its power consumption.
“We want to develop a strategy that meets the needs of the grid and pays off for water utilities at the same time,” said Mike Murray, president of Helio Energy Solutions. “By partnering with UC Davis and the Moulton Niguel Water District, we will be able to provide our state with a solution that reliably and safely delivers results while incentivizing water districts to participate. We look forward to working together on this exciting new project.”
Lowering emissions
In September, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Water utilities, which require large amounts of power at every step of the water cycle, could be instrumental in reaching those emissions reduction goals. Roughly 20 percent of California’s electricity and more than 30 percent of its natural gas go to the water system, from pumping it for delivery to disposing of wastewater.
“At Moulton Niguel, we’re constantly identifying new ways to save our ratepayers money and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Joone Lopez, general manager at Moulton Niguel Water District. “The energy experts at CWEE are brilliant at finding new ways to be more efficient. With their help, we hope to be the model for the entire state.”
Madera, Calif., (August 23, 2017) – Representatives from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week at Philip Verwey Farms in Madera to celebrate the installation of an on-farm anaerobic dairy digester. It was made possible by a $2.3 million grant from CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), which receives funding from the state’s cap-and-trade program. The digester will use methane formed by decomposing manure to produce energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The facility will create an estimated 4.8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough power to completely offset the dairy’s total electricity usage. The digester will also reduce 240,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas over the next 10 years– the equivalent of removing 50,696 passenger cars off the road.
“Collaboration is critical in the fight against climate change,” said CDFA Deputy Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, who attended last week’s event. “Technologies like anaerobic digesters are an excellent example of how government and the private industry can work together to meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals and add value to dairy byproducts. It is a win for agricultural economies and a win for the environment.”
The project, which is the third digester to go online using DDRDP funds, was developed in partnership with Maas Energy Works and 4 Creeks Engineering. Additional financial contributions came from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program and matching funds from Philip Verwey Farms.
The DDRDP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that uses cap-and-trade funds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment. The DDRDP will provide an estimated $29-36 million in competitive grant funding to aid in the installation of dairy digesters.
For more information, please visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ddrdp/.
