2025: Rapid Screening of Manure Storage Additives to Reduce Emissions and Enhance Fertilizer Benefits (Multi-NGO)
In the U.S., dairy manure storage protects water quality and provides an important fertilizer source for farmers’ fields, but it also emits significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and ammonia. Direct manure additives are increasingly marketed to dairy producers as a silver bullet fix for these emissions, boasting up to 90% reductions in methane and ammonia, but most of these performance claims have not been substantiated by a neutral third party. Researchers will test commercial manure additives and develop a rigorous screening protocol to identify other promising manure additives for testing. They will share findings with dairy farmers and policymakers to facilitate wider dairy producer adoption of effective products.
This project is part of a dairy sustainability research program jointly managed by Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, The Nature Conservancy, Clean Air Task Force, and Environmental Defense Fund.
Cornell: Jason Oliver (CALS, Animal Science)
NGO Partners: Fernanda Ferreira (CATF); Stephanie Herbstritt (CATF); Joe Rudek (EDF); Partha Ray (TNC); Alisha Staggs (TNC)