May 8, 2015
![Dairy Sustainability Awards 2015 highlight U.S. producers doing it right Dairy Sustainability Awards 2015 highlight U.S. producers doing it right](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltafc06db067aebac6/64cbf83cdb0bcc7a8de33eaa/NewHopeNetwork_Horizontal_RGB.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Now in their fourth year, the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards—part of the U.S. Sustainability Commitment—recognize and honor dairy farms, businesses and partnerships for outstanding environmental practices and social responsibility. They were launched in 2008 to measure and improve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the dairy industry. An independent panel of judges comprising experts in the economic and environmental aspects of dairy farming score nominees for bottom line success, innovation and the potential for industrywide change sparked by such innovation. Move through the slides to see this year's award highlights.
Nobis Dairy Farms, based in St. Johns, Michigan, switched to sand bedding in 1974 in a bid to improve the health of their cows. However, the process and costs associated with such a labor-intensive practice had offered sizable sustainability challenges as the herd has grown. In a series of trial-and-error experiments over a number of years, brothers Ken and Barry Nobis worked alongside Michigan State University and the McLanahan Corp. to try and solve the problem. Ultimately, their efforts resulted in a closed-loop manure management system. The processes effectively re-uses the water that is separated from the sand-laden manure and other areas of the farm to reduce the amount of fresh water used. As well as this innovative approach to cleaning, the farm collects 400,000 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall and has implemented 60 acres of buffer strips that prevent erosion. The system that the Nobis Dairy uses has effectively reduced the problem of sand-laden manure, maximized nutrient management and decreased the amount of fuel and labor required to operate the farm.
Dorrich Dairy of Glenwood, Minnesota, is owned and operated by the Vold family, and is now into its fourth generation of being a family-run farm. Honored for outstanding dairy farm sustainability, the Vold family's innovative approach to past control has dramatically reduced the farms reliance on synthetic chemicals. Farm visitors might notice the lack of pesky flies swarming the cattle and facility. What is the Vold secret to fly control: wasps. Wasp larvae are strategically placed close to fly pupae—which they consume. By using a natural approach to keeping the fly population minimal, Dorrich Dairy has cut its insecticide cost by an impressive 85 percent. Reducing the number of flies on a farm can lead to an increase in cow comfort and a reduction in stress levels. In turn, happy cows produce more milk. According to Susan Vold, it is the health of the cattle that keeps their 400-cow farm going.
Water conservation is an integrated part of the cheese making process at Hilmar Cheese Company in Hilmar, California. And this is no small feat, as the company produces in excess of 2 million pounds of cheese every day. To do so requires a lot of milk, but because milk is 87 percent water, there is also the potential to save a lot of water. The company has incorporated new technologies so that almost 100 percent of the water from incoming milk is recovered, treated and reused. And as if that wasn't enough, the new Hilmar Cheese Co. headquarters boasts LEED Platinum® certification in a building designed to maximize use of natural lighting; it's decked with solar panels that provide 25 percent of the energy for the entire building.
Ben and Matt Freund of Freund's Farm, East Canaan, Connecticut, have proven that dairy cows can be a source of economic and environmental efficiency. In making the most of the manure that the cattle produce, they have managed to refine the process of extracting the nutritional offerings of manure into "CowPots." CowPots® are a line of biodegradeable gardening containers made out of composted manure, and what started as a fringe line next to the dairy has grown into a business that generates its own supplemental income. CowPots® is now a standalone business with 11 full-time employees and 15 seasonal staff, and has $2 million invested back into the local community.
Oregon Dairy, in Lititz, Pennsylvania, offers a place were customers can purchase milk just yards away from the cows that produced it. This 450-cow operation is one of the first farms to zone in on the farm-to-fork experience that many consumers appreciate. The owners, the Hurst family, take strides to encourage the community aspect of dairy farming by hosting Family Farm Days throughout the year. Via these and other events, they see over 15,000 visitors on an yearly basis. The on-site grocery store has been fitted with solar panels which provide the store with 10 percent of its electricity, while an anaerobic digester captures methane gas from manure and turns it into electricity and heat to warm water. The Hursts also practice no-till farming and are committed to improving soil conditions. Native trees are planted close to nearby waterways to reduce runoff and soil erosion.
Water management is a top priority for Alliance Dairies, a 6,000-cow dairy farm in Trenton, Florida. In fact, the only fresh water used on the farm is for cooling, drinking and cleaning; the rest is recycled. In 2011, the farm implemented a specially engineered digester which now supplies over 70 percent of the dairy's daily electrical needs. That is the equivalent to providing power for 425 homes year-round.
Water management is a top priority for Alliance Dairies, a 6,000-cow dairy farm in Trenton, Florida. In fact, the only fresh water used on the farm is for cooling, drinking and cleaning; the rest is recycled. In 2011, the farm implemented a specially engineered digester which now supplies over 70 percent of the dairy's daily electrical needs. That is the equivalent to providing power for 425 homes year-round.
Dairy Sustainability Awards 2015 highlight U.S. producers doing it right
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