Costa leads Bipartisan Coalition in Introducing Legislation to establish a New Manure Management Conservation program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and David Valadao (CA-22), along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would establish a new manure management conservation program to improve air quality and implement sustainable farming practices.

“California is leading the nation in the implementation of alternative manure management systems, helping provide a significant reduction of greenhouse emissions. These sustainable farming practices are improving water quality and reducing costs for farmers,” said Congressman Costa. “My bill would expand access to new technologies and set us on a path to reach our climate goals.”

“California’s farmers and farmworkers put food on the table for families across the country, but the climate crisis demands we adopt a more sustainable agricultural model. This legislation invests in long-term and low-cost pasture-based management practices that will support our family dairies and protect our environment, improving the quality of the air we breathe,” said Senator Padilla. “As we work to transition to a greener economy, we must equip our producers with the critical resources and tools they need to transition to sustainable practices, and keep California’s cows happy.”

“Family farms, livestock, and dairy operations are the backbone of Ohio’s agricultural economy,” said Senator Brown. “Our bill is a commonsense way to provide new tools in the 2023 Farm Bill for Ohio’s livestock and dairy operations to cut costs and boost profits while reducing pollution and protecting our lakes, rivers, and streams.”

“With agriculture accounting for approximately 11% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, it’s crucial we empower farmers to be part of the climate solution, and the upcoming Farm Bill gives us a once-in-five-years opportunity to ensure they have the resources so they can be,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “The COWS Act will help our dairy and livestock farmers transition to sustainable practices to reduce methane gas emissions on their farms. This bipartisan legislation is a win-win for the agriculture industry and for the environment.”

“I understand firsthand the needs and challenges of our Central Valley dairy producers,” said Congressman Valadao. “We have a methane digester on our dairy, and it helps to produce energy while also reducing emissions. I’m proud to support this legislation that would make this same kind of manure management technology more accessible for the livestock industry. Our farmers are the best stewards of our environment, and equipping them with the best available technology is good for the industry and good for the environment.” 

“The COWS Act will provide crucial nutrient management resources to dairy farmers, who are currently struggling because milk prices fall well below their production costs. Passage of the COWS Act will enable dairy farmers to adopt practical climate-smart nutrient management methods that improve air and water quality and achieve their environmental sustainability goals.” said Lynne McBride, Executive Director at the California Dairy Campaign. 

“Sustainable manure management is a critical conservation priority for dairy farmers as the industry works to achieve its voluntary, producer-led goal of becoming greenhouse gas neutral or better by 2050. However, conservation programs continue to be oversubscribed, preventing dairy from making its greatest possible contribution to the nation’s greenhouse gas reduction. We thank Reps. Jim Costa, D-CA, David Valadao, R-CA, and Chellie Pingree, D-ME and Sens. Alex Padilla, D-CA, and Sherrod Brown, D-OH, for introducing the bipartisan, bicameral COWS Act which will elevate the emphasis on a variety of manure management systems important to dairy’s stewardship priorities.” said Paul Bleiberg, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the National Milk Producers Federation. 

The livestock industry has been impacted by several factors including drought, high feed costs, and supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic – creating more challenges for dairy and livestock operations of all sizes. It is critical to ensure there is a lifeline for the next generation in the livestock industry, especially in dairy, where the United States has lost more than half of its licensed operations since 2003.

The Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act establishes a new manure management conservation program that will provide more resources for our livestock industry to modernize technologies and improve water and air quality. Congressman Costa is leading the bill in the House, and Senator Padilla is leading the bill in the Senate. 

This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: California Dairies, the Environmental Working Group, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and the National Milk Producers Federation.

A one-pager of the bill is available HERE. 

The text of the bill is available HERE.