Social Responsibility
The U.S. dairy supply chain operates in a highly regulated environment which covers both locally produced goods as well as imported products. The food safety and security framework is in place to ensure that consumers are protected from harmful products entering the supply chain. Beyond environmental stewardship, production areas of animal care, labor welfare and antibiotic use are key areas of interest. There is a growing need for higher level documentation and continuous improvement in these areas to bolster awareness of industry implementation of best practices and maintain confidence.
California dairy producers are known for being proactive and leading the country in their efforts to continue to provide safe and nutritious foods to the local and world-wide markets. As such, CDRF funds projects that address the important risk management issues of animal care (best practices and disease management), food safety (e.g. managing product residues) and biosecurity (prevention and preparation for a biosecurity event). The emphasis within this focus area is outreach to ensure on-farm risk awareness and adoption of best practices. CDRF continues to work through CDQAP and other appropriate projects to provide local support for programs such as the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program.
See below for current project details.
2026 Research and Educational Projects Portfolio
Composting as an Economical and Sustainable Emergency Animal Mortality Option*
RESEARCHER: Dr. Michael Payne, UC Davis
TIMELINE: 2023 - 2026
This project evaluates the environmental impacts of proper carcass composting on groundwater, surface water, and air quality, aiming to develop effective mitigation procedures and best management practices for poultry and livestock composting, especially where rendering services are unavailable. The study involves continuous monitoring of temperature, salinity, and moisture in compost piles to ensure optimal conditions, assesses pathogen reduction for biosecurity, and evaluates nutrient infiltration into soil to understand effects on soil and water quality. It also analyzes nutrient and heavy metal content in feedstock and finished compost and monitors air emissions throughout the composting process to mitigate potential impacts.
The benefits include demonstrating carcass composting as an effective, environmentally sustainable, and practical solution for managing routine and emergency animal mortalities. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to rendering, helping producers comply with environmental regulations while protecting natural resources. The project establishes standardized composting protocols to ensure systems can handle both regular and surge mortality events, providing the livestock industry with reliable, science-based tools for sustainable mortality management.
* Funding for this project is provided by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).