California Air Resources Board

The Dairy and Livestock Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Working Group (Working Group) formed three subgroups – Subgroup #1: Fostering Markets for Non-Digester Projects; Subgroup #2: Fostering Markets for Digester Projects; and Subgroup #3: Research Needs, Including Enteric Fermentation. Each subgroup was tasked with developing policy recommendations in their specific areas. To fulfill this goal, each subgroup held public meetings that included participation from dairy industry representatives, environmental justice advocates, public utilities, academia, and other interested stakeholders. The subgroups provided final recommendations from all subgroups to the Working Group in November 2018.

Subgroup #3 was tasked with prioritizing dairy and livestock research projects and improving knowledge of GHG and other pollutant emissions from California dairies and livestock facilities. The subgroup sought to identify potential emissions reductions or impacts of projects designed to reduce GHG emissions. The subgroup also sought to improve knowledge of enteric fermentation emissions, including the short- and long-term impacts that potential emissions reduction measures could have on product quality and consumer acceptance, animal health and welfare, farm economics, water quality, and air quality. After eight public meetings, Subgroup #3 published a comprehensive Dairy Research Prospectus to Achieve California's SB 1383 Climate Goals, which outlines research concepts and needs to help guide the future funding of research projects in California.

Subgroup #3 Mission Statement

The main purpose of Subgroup #3 was to prioritize dairy and livestock research projects that improve our knowledge of the following:

1. The accuracy of GHG and other air pollutant emissions from California dairies and livestock facilities,
2. The potential GHG emissions reductions and air quality impacts (positive and negative) from the implementation of methane mitigation strategies, and
3. Enteric fermentation emissions, including the short and long-term impacts that potential emissions reduction measures could have on product quality and consumer acceptance, animal health and welfare, economics, water quality, and air quality.

The goal of Subgroup #3 was to develop a comprehensive research prospectus that outlined various research concepts addressing the knowledge gaps research, with the idea that it will guide California’s funding agencies in prioritizing future research projects.

Subgroup #3 Members