Dairy cows in the San Joaquin Valley. Source: Sustainable Conservation
California dairies account for 20% of U.S. milk production and generate significant revenue and jobs. Most state dairies rely on flood irrigation, increasing the risk of over-application of water and nutrients leading to leaching to groundwater.
About 85% of California’s 1.7 million cows are concentrated in the San Joaquin Valley, where poor on-farm manure management contributes to declining groundwater quality and quantity. Facing reduced access to water, dairies are looking for solutions to apply their manure nutrients using less water.
To address this need, Sustainable Conservation is partnering with CWAC members and local dairy farmers to demonstrate an innovative drip irrigation system that can reduce water use, nutrient use, and GHG emissions while growing quality feed crops. In addition to financial support, CWAC members are providing their agronomic and economic expertise and encouraging participation of dairy processors and farmers. If this innovative system is adopted on 1/3 of California’s most sensitive corn silage acreage, it could save more than 125,000 acre feet (40 billion gallons) of water per year and lower nitrate loads in groundwater.
Project lead: Sustainable Conservation
Participating CWAC members: Bonneville Environmental Foundation | General Mills | Netafim | Nestle
To learn more: Visit www.suscon.org or contact Ryan Flaherty - rflaherty@suscon.org.