2023 December Board Book

Industry Benefit: This project will provide critical information for those interested in potentially adopting advanced manure treatment technologies as well those interested in potentially modifying animal manage ment to change manure composition. Many vendors are aggressively targeting dairy operators with claims of environmental improvements or compliance with various regulations guaranteed. Having site-specific fact-based information will provide producers with the information they need to identify value of technology. 2024 – 2026 Dairy Forage Sustainability: Reducing Water Use and N 2 O Emissions with Manure Subsurface Drip Irrigation* Researcher: Sarah Castle, Sustainable Conservation 2024 Budget: $50,000; CMAB REQUEST $37,500 2025 Budget: $50,000; 2026 Budget: $50,000 *Project is co-funded with Dairy Management Inc. Total project budget is $742,118.

Background: California dairy producers are grappling with water uncertainty, regulations to reduce nitrate loading to groundwater, and pressure to reduce GHG emissions. A commercially available manure subsurface drip irrigation system enables dairies to grow feed crops while reducing water use by 35% and nitrogen use by 45%. A preliminary study also showed 70-90% reduction in irrigation related GHGs, driven by significant N2O reductions. Industry Benefit: Researchers will conduct research on two working dairies, using control and test fields. Quantify yield, water usage, and nitrogen (N) inputs and outputs including N 2 O emissions management systems. The total GHG balance will be calculated to assess differences in carbon footprint between systems. The study results will validate irrigation related GHG reductions from this system. The study is designed to generate high-quality data needed to publish at least one journal article and to pursue additional financial incentives for dairies. Food Science, Nutrition and Health

2023 – 2024 Yogurt Mucosal Immunity and

Gastrointestinal (GI) Protection* Researcher: Dr. Danielle Lemay, USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center 2024 Budget: $33,973; CMAB REQUEST $25,479 (Year 2) *Project is co-funded 50/50 with National Dairy Council (NDC). Background: The GI tract has the difficult task of absorbing nutrients while excluding microorganisms and non-nutritive foreign agents. This incredibly complex task is achieved with components of GI mucosal immunity, such as the mucin layer, anti-microbial peptides, secretory IgA, and more. In a prior CDRF- funded observational study, researchers identified a trend for increased mucosal protection among yogurt