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Dairy, energy organizations announce research

May 12, 2011, Rosemont, IL
– Representatives of the U.S. dairy industry announced an agreement to work
jointly with a national energy research laboratory to advance the science and
best management practices of renewable energy, environmental stewardship and
life cycle analysis of dairy systems and processes.
May 12, 2011, Rosemont, IL
– Representatives of the U.S. dairy industry announced an agreement to work
jointly with a national energy research laboratory to advance the science and
best management practices of renewable energy, environmental stewardship and
life cycle analysis of dairy systems and processes.

The Innovation Center for
U.S. Dairy, the Dairy Research Institute and Idaho’s Center for Advanced Energy
Studies (CAES) are working to develop a national research program focused on
enhancing the economic viability of dairy farms and rural communities.

“This partnership directly
aligns with the dairy industry’s science-based effort to measure and improve
the sustainability of the U.S. dairy industry, across every segment of the
supply chain,” said Kevin Ponticelli, chair of the Dairy Research Institute and
senior executive vice president of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and
Dairy Management Inc. “The only way that we can accomplish this commitment is
by working with and through partners like CAES to leverage the latest data,
current and emerging technologies, and innovative thinking and practices.”

CAES is a national
research partnership representing the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho National
Laboratory and the state of Idaho through its research universities. As part of
the research program, CAES and the Innovation Center will bring together the
science-based information and funding needed to accelerate the development and
the commercialization of innovative technologies for the dairy industry.

The agreement outlines the
following key partnership objectives:

• Collect baseline data on
  nutrient and manure management practices to assist in the identification of
  best practices for dairy farms
• Identify opportunities for
  dairy farms of all sizes to increase renewable energy production through
  anaerobic digesters, gasification and composting
• Research best management
  practices for farm-based renewable energy production on small, medium and large
  farms
• Analyze the U.S. utility
  grid infrastructure, electric rates and renewable energy incentives applicable
  to dairy farm operations
• Identify opportunities to
  increase funding of national research on sustainable dairy practices, manure
  management, substrates, renewable energy technologies and smart grid
  applications
• Facilitate
  technology-based economic development

“The collaboration between
CAES, the Innovation Center and Dairy Research Institute will pursue the
development of research and pilot project funding sources and facilitate
technology-based economic development, which is a priority of the U.S.
Department of Energy,” said Dr. Harold Blackman, director of the Center for
Advanced Energy Studies. “Through this industry-wide effort, CAES will serve as
a model for other U.S. Department of Energy labs in the advancement of
sustainability research and transfer of technology to the broader industry.”

Mike Roth, an Idaho dairy
farmer, president of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association and board member of the
Dairy Research Institute, said the outcomes of this cross-industry partnership
could greatly benefit dairy farms across the country.

“As one of the largest
dairy-producing states in the country, we’re happy to see a national
relationship like this develop in our own backyard,” said Roth. “Making the
most efficient use of natural resources, such as energy, water and waste
byproducts, not only contributes to profitability, it also lessens
environmental impact.”