The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is announcing a new, multi‑year scientific study to better understand how copper concentrations in tributaries of the Smith River Plain may be affecting local fish species and the broader aquatic ecosystem. The study will provide new data to support the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (North Coast Water Board’s) ongoing oversight and water quality protection efforts in the Smith River watershed.
Beginning this year, DPR will fund a two-year toxicity study led by researchers at Cal Poly Humboldt, using field collected water and laboratory testing to assess potential effects on fish health and behavior, and on sensitive invertebrate species.
This study responds to questions raised by community members, Tribal representatives and other interested groups about pesticide runoff in the Smith River Plain, where copper fungicides are widely used in lily bulb production. The work will generate additional data needed to better understand copper bioavailability, or how much copper organisms can absorb and how quickly it may have an effect.
The results of this study will support the North Coast Water Board’s ongoing water quality protection efforts in the Smith River Plain, including development and implementation of waste discharge requirements for lily bulb farming operations (a.k.a. Lily Bulb Order
). The study represents a collaboration between the Water Boards and DPR on continued work across both departments to protect the environment and engage with local communities and Tribes.
The study will initiate in 2026 and is anticipated to conclude in 2028.
The Newsom administration released the final recommendations from a study that intends to improve food safety and water quality reporting for California’s agricultural community. This interagency collaboration between the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and the State Water Resources Control Board was developed with input from farmers, ranchers, and local leaders, and demonstrates California’s continued efforts to build a roadmap for the future.
“I want to thank the many farmers, ranchers, local leaders and advocates, and agency colleagues who contributed to this work,” CDFA Secretary Karen Rosssaid. “You have helped us build a roadmap for smarter regulation – one that keeps pace with the complexity of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. We look forward to aligning this report’s recommendations with future opportunities of parallel efforts underway.”
“Innovative regulatory programs at the intersection of agriculture and water quality are critical to the state’s future,” said State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel. “The State Water Board is proud to work alongside Secretary Ross and Secretary Garcia as we consider key recommendations from the agricultural community and other industry experts for these programs. One thing is clear: we must strengthen our data systems to maximize their value to decision makers and the public while minimizing the cost of compliance for growers. I look forward to working together to advance these programs for the benefit of all Californians.”
The study evaluated California’s food safety and water quality regulatory requirements for agriculture as part of an effort to streamline administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state. The study was supported by funding in the 2021-22 budget.
The report identifies 18 recommendations to streamline agency coordination, expand technical assistance, modernize data and reporting systems, and enhance regulatory efficiency while supporting food safety and environmental protection goals.
View the study and its recommendations on the CDFA Regulatory Alignment Study website. — Story Contributed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture
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., (December 5, 2017) – CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is pleased to announce the award of $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. The grants will fund four projects designed to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce the nitrogen footprint of fertilizer use.
Nitrogen is a key nutrient for food production. However, if not used efficiently, it can also lead to water and air quality impacts.
“These four projects will provide us with the science-based evidence and necessary training we need to better guide our decision making,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We look forward to ongoing collaboration with agriculturalists, policymakers and the academic community.”
The projects are research examining the nitrogen cycle in nursery production; bilingual training on nutrient management and irrigation system efficiency; examining the ratio between crop yield and nitrogen; and programs to help minority farmers better understand nitrogen uptake patterns for specific Asian vegetable crops.
Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 220 projects focusing on California’s environmentally sensitive cropping systems. A database of completed research is publically available at:www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch.
The FREP mission is to promote the efficient and environmentally friendly use of fertilizers through the funding of fertilizer research and education, and the decision to utilize the findings of FREP research ultimately lies in the hands of the grower. For more information, please visit the FREP website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREP.
Davis, Calif., (February 9, 2017) – UC Davis has a secret weapon in its mission to clean and beautify the Arboretum Waterway: homegrown expertise.
An expanding group of undergraduate students — led by Randy Dahlgren, a professor and world leader in water-quality biogeochemistry — will sample the water and provide important analysis throughout the university’s multiyear effort to enhance the Arboretum Waterway. The students are part of a new group internship that Dahlgren designed to provide undergraduates hands-on experience in water-quality and aquatic ecosystem restoration.
“It’s good for everyone,” Dahlgren said. “The students are playing a critical role in solving real-world problems, which gives restoration efforts a better chance to succeed, which benefits all of us who enjoy the centerpiece of the arboretum.”
Visitors love walking the 3.5-mile loop around the Arboretum Waterway — except when the water is covered with unsightly duckweed and algae, which are a natural byproduct of what is essentially a stagnant pond.
The waterway sits in the channel that used to be the North Fork of Putah Creek, but long ago the creek was diverted due to frequent flooding. Now, the Arboretum Waterway is dammed at both ends and serves as a holding pond for storm runoff and a receptacle for clean, recycled wastewater.
Starting later this month, UC Davis will launch a four-year project to reduce algae growth and sedimentation by increasing water flow, deepening and narrowing the channel, and planting more native wetland vegetation on the banks.
“We’re introducing small elevation gains via weirs — barriers across the waterway that alter its current—as well as a pump to recirculate the water,” said Andrew Fulks, assistant director of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. “Picture a series of large, natural steps with water cascading down. Once the water reaches the bottom step, a pump will take the water back to its starting point.”
How water-quality monitoring helps
Water quality is not a toggle switch, not something you switch on and off. It takes a process to improve water quality and restore aquatic ecosystems.
“It’s like cholesterol in our blood,” Dahlgren explained. “When your cholesterol is too high, you take progressive steps to lower it. Maybe first you increase exercise, then change your diet, then turn to statin drugs if the other two steps aren’t effective.”
But you don’t know whether interventions are working if you don’t monitor the blood or, in this case, the water. Throughout the restoration project, Dahlgren and his students will measure water-quality indicators such as levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, dissolved oxygen, and algae.
The group internship got underway last fall with 10 undergraduates majoring in environmental science and management. Dahlgren will offer similar group internships with more students over the next few years.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Samuel Moose, a third-year student and member of the inaugural group. “I really enjoyed the fieldwork and the opportunity to solve problems.”
“And we got to see the big picture,” added Anna Britzman, who plans to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. “We worked with so many experts, and it helped me see how important water quality is to restoring wildlife habitat.”
Right in his own backyard – The research also has strong international relevance because aquatic ecosystems worldwide suffer from excess nutrients in the water. For the past 10 years, Dahlgren has studied nutrient-rich aquatic dead zones in China that are strikingly similar to the Arboretum Waterway. The big difference for Dahlgren is that he can collect water samples in the arboretum on his bike in 30 minutes.
Fulks is grateful for the proximity, too. “Randy and the interns are helping us monitor the effect of our efforts, which is so important to the project’s overall success,” Fulks said. “By partnering with our experts and students here on campus, we are creating a living laboratory as well as a treasured resource for our community.”
