The COWS Act would establish a new federal manure management conservation program that reduces methane emissions on dairies while improving the economic viability of small and medium-sized dairies and offering an alternative to anaerobic digesters. The proposed program is modeled on California’s successful and popular Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). The COWS Act would extend these voluntary incentives to dairy producers across the country.
- H.R. 4327: Sponsored by Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX),Ann Kuster (D-NH), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), John Duarte (R-CA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).
- S. 2479: Sponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT)
Read the COWS Act FAQ to learn more.
COWS Act Legislative Fact sheet
Additional COWS Act Resources:
Bill language: H.R. 4327 and S. 2479
Media Coverage of the COWS Act
7/25/23
COWS Act Aims to Boost Dairy Profitability and Sustainability | CalCAN
7/25/2023
PADILLA INTRODUCES COWS ACT TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS | Contra Costa News
7/26/2023
Daybreak July 26: Commodity groups look to head off checkoff attack | Agri-Pulse
7/27/2023
AgNet News Hour: Thursday, 07-27-23 | AgNet News
7/31/2023
Manure bill introduced in Senate, House | The Fence Post
7/31/2023
ALL ABOUT THE COWS ACT, BROUGHT TO YOU BY SEN. PADILLA | The Sacramento Bee
8/1/2023
Valadao: ‘Reduce methane emissions from cows to improve air quality’ | The Ripon Advance
—
Lead COWS Act Supporters
These organizations have also signed-on:
Dairy Industry Organizations
National Milk Producers Federation
Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA)
Stonyfield
Danone North America
KOL Foods
Agriculture and Farming Focused Organizations
Farm Aid
Kansas Rural Center
Land Stewardship Project (MN)
Latino Farmers & Ranchers International, Inc.
Maine Farmland Trust
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (WI)
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture (PA)
Virginia Association for Biological Farming
Environmentally Focused Organizations
American Sustainable Business Network
Center for Food Safety
Climate Land Leaders
Environmental Law & Policy Center
Environmental Working Group
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Southern Environmental Law Center
The Wetlands Initiative
Waterkeepers Chesapeake – Fair Farms Initiative
If you are a dairy producer, an organization, or a business, please consider signing on to a support letter by filling in this short form or by emailing info@calclimateag.org.
