Benefits of CSC Practice Adoption
Build Soil – Participating members will receive funding to offset the first-year expense of adopting best management practices (BMPs) that have been scientifically demonstrated to build soil organic carbon (SOC). Soils with higher SOC levels release nutrients more efficiently, which means maintaining crop yield, while reducing fertilizer expense, and unlocking new profit opportunity.
Learn the Truth – Rather than taking scientists at their word about the relationship between farming practices and building carbon, the DFA CSC program will measure the SOC increase on each unique field at no expense to the member, by pulling one soil sample before and after each member implements one or more BMPs, to quantify their real effect. Field-specific findings will be shared with each participating member.
Agronomy Platform – Participating members will receive complementary access to the MyFarms agronomy platform to record all planned and actual cropping and nutrient activities during the grant term. This single cloud-based portal makes it easy and convenient for members and their trusted advisors to join forces and make a positive impact.
Climate Smart Crop Plan – Each member can receive a customized Climate Smart Crop Plan (CSCP) to build their soil and their bottom line. Each member can expect at least four consultations with a professional agronomist.
Climate Smart Dairy Plan - Each member can also receive a customized Climate Smart Dairy Plan (CSDP) to explore milk quality benefits of populate feed additives. Each member can expect support from a professional nutritionist.
Climate Smart Crop Practices
Below is a non-exhaustive list of climate-smart crop practices available under the DFA CSC Program.
Regenerative Grazing
Covered at 100% of costs for one year to cover the necessary fencing, waterlines, and pasture seed. Eligible members must be currently utilizing and plan to enhance pasture or intend to transition to a pasture-based system to apply for this coverage.
Replace synthetic fertilizer with manure
Explore opportunities to maximize nutrients from cow manure and reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers.
Cover Crops
Sowing a single species or multiple species grasses and small grains on fall-harvested crops to feed soil biology with a living root for as much of the year as possible.
Climate Smart Dairy Practices
Below is a non-exhaustive list of climate-smart dairy practices available under the DFA CSC Program.
Feed Additives
In coordination with your nutritionist and feed mill, as applicable, feed additives can be incorporated in the farm’s TMR to reduce enteric emissions of cows.
SCIO CUP DrY Matter
Dry matter test results returned by the SCiO Cup within minutes of starting the measurement can be used to optimize the feed ration.
Solid / liquid separator
Members in the Franklin, MA and Bridgeton, NJ milksheds may apply to have a solid liquid separator installed. The CSC program will cover installation, while the farm will cover ongoing operating expenses.