With sustainable practices, New York dairy farms lower emissions | Cornell Chronicle

Recent research indicates that New York dairy farms have significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to national averages, attributed to sustainable practices. Study data from 36 medium to large farms revealed that these farms cultivate their own high-quality feed and utilize manure strategically, minimizing the need for external fertilizers. This has led to higher milk yields and lower emission intensities. Authors emphasize the commitment of farmers to improve emissions and their willingness to participate in the research, highlighting a collaborative effort towards sustainability in the dairy sector.

"The key finding was that New York dairy farms produce a lot of feed on the farm, and that's a huge advantage for them," said first author Olivia Godber.

"What is pretty unique with this dataset is the fact that these farms are all willing to participate," Ketterings said. "There's a shared interest in learning, in knowing, an interest in figuring out the next steps."

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