CA Dairy Farmers Navigating Methane Reduction Bill

Dairy farmers in California now have more to consider in running their day-to-day operations. An article on Milk Business Dot Com says farmers face water issues, regulatory burdens, and the nation’s highest minimum wage. Farmers now must reduce methane emissions on their farms after Senate Bill 1383 was signed into law. Producers now have to reduce their methane emissions by 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. “Dairy farmers are wondering what it means for them and their dairies,” said Paul Sousa, Director of Environmental Services and Regulatory Affairs for the Western United Dairymen. Sousa says the only way dairymen can meet the regulations is to install a digester. Digesters are showing up on more than 200 farms throughout the nation despite their very high cost. California producers have time to meet the regulations. Sousa says the new law can only take effect on or after January of 2024 if the regulations are technologically and financially feasible. “This gives families seven years to prepare and to implement reductions voluntarily with incentive funding,” Sousa says. The state of California has $50 million dollars available to help farmers make those changes.