Finding New Markets for Dairy Manure

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

The California dairy industry is looking for new ways to maximize the value of manure, after a study conducted in 2017 found that great markets could potentially be developed. Denise Mullinax is the executive director of the California Dairy Research Foundation.

Mullinax… “The research really showed that back in 2017 at least, over 650,000 acres in California of ag ground was already receiving manure at that point. Sort of through this, what I would call boutique or a one to one kind of usage. But there was potentially a greater market.”

Mullinax says they are now looking to maximize the value of this manure through several initiatives.

Mullinax… “So we're really looking at the nutrient value of manure, I guess, from all different directions. I guess, increased enhancement of utilization, both on-farm, as well as off. So we're looking at different crops that make better use of manure or are able to use it during different times of the year, different water uses, and so forth. As well as more of a product base that would go out to other agriculture uses. So numerous projects are taking place and have been for quite some time.”

Learn more at the California Dairy Research Foundation website cdrf.org.