California Dairy’s Successful Methane Reduction Efforts Await Continued Funding
- Dairy Cares
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 15 minutes ago
Earlier this year, Dairy Cares announced a major milestone in planet-smart dairy farming. California’s dairy farms have reduced annual methane emissions by 5 million metric tons (5 MMTCO2e/year). This has been accomplished through on-farm projects to improve manure management and continuous gains in milk production efficiency.
California’s family-owned dairy farms are on their way to achieving the state’s world-leading goal, helping reduce climate warming in the near term, creating renewable energy, and improving protection of air and water, all while maintaining local production of nutritious and affordable milk and dairy foods. The continued success of these efforts is paramount.
A World-Leading Model of Successful, Critically Important Climate Action
California's dairy sector leads the nation in volume of milk produced, in addition to leading methane reduction efforts. Achieving 5 million tons of annual reduction means the state's family dairy farms are more than two-thirds of the way to delivering their share of California's world-leading target: to reduce livestock methane emissions by 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. California is the only jurisdiction with such a target set in statute (via SB 1383, passed in 2016). Given that methane has significantly higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, climate scientists agree that reducing methane is critical to near-term slowing of global warming.
California dairy farms have achieved significant methane reduction progress through several ongoing strategies: methane capture and utilization as renewable energy, methane avoidance through alternative manure management, and milk production efficiency with herd attrition. Livestock methane reduction efforts are supported through the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Cost-Effective, High-Value Partnership
The state has invested more than $356 million in dairy methane reduction projects since 2015. This investment has been met with strong partnership from dairy farmers and other private financing. The DDRDP has leveraged more than $522 million dollars in matching private investments. The DDRDP is also the state's second most productive climate program in terms of total greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. The DDRDP has achieved 20% of the GHG reductions from all of California's climate investments combined, with just 1.5% of total funds awarded. Research has affirmed that projects are highly effective at reducing methane. The methane reduction programs are unique from other climate programs because they reduce methane, making them more immediately helpful to short-term climate goals. The projects also provide additional environmental benefits, including improved protection of air and water quality.
The DDRDP and AMMP programs are persistently over-subscribed with farm applications. 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 programs.
A Critical Stage for California’s Climate Goals
California’s dairy methane reduction efforts are at a critical stage as the 2030 target date nears. Continued investment will be needed to reach the finish line in time. Meanwhile, California’s Cap-and-Trade Program, a key element of the state’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is also being reviewed for potential extension beyond its current 2030 sunset. Extending the Cap-and-Trade program would provide market certainty for participating businesses, which include dairy-farmer-owned processing companies. Review of this program also presents an opportunity to consider renewed focus on the use of auction funds to cap-and-invest in climate reduction strategies. The majority of state funds provided for dairy methane reduction projects have been provided from this fund, known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). However, since 2021, state funds allocated to dairy methane reduction programs have been much more limited. The enacted 2025-26 state budget does not include any funding for continuation of the DDRDP or AMMP.
“California’s dairy methane reduction programs provide cost-effective emission reductions, while helping ensure the long-term sustainability of family dairy farms,” said Michael Boccadoro, Executive Director of Dairy Cares. “It’s important to note that our farms are continually innovating, producing milk through the most planet-smart practices in the world, while serving as the backbone of rural, agricultural economies and producing nutritious and affordable food for people. Investments in dairy methane reduction programs benefit California families and disadvantaged communities, while fighting climate change.”
Ninety-nine percent of California’s dairy farms are family owned. For many of these families, participating in the state’s methane reduction programs has been an important part of preparing for their future.
“We’re grateful to be doing what we can to reduce methane emissions,” said Luciana Jonkman, a first-generation farmer who farms alongside her husband in Merced County. In 2020, the Jonkmans implemented their solid-separation project to help avoid the creation of methane from manure management.
“What we’ve been able to do on our farm wouldn’t have been possible in the near-term without the support of the AMMP program. This investment is one that helps us protect the environment while also improving the way we manage resources, making it easier for us to keep our farm operating well into the future.”
California dairy farmers remain committed to reaching ambitious climate goals while nourishing people with wholesome and affordable milk and dairy foods.
