About the
Dairy Conservation Navigator
Dairy Conservation Navigator helps simplify sustainable dairy farming by vetting and publishing the best science-based resources and solutions all in one place. The Navigator includes education modules, overviews of dairy farming practices, dairy farmer funding opportunities and more, thanks to support from Dairy Management Inc. and other industry partners.
Mission Statement
The Dairy Conservation Navigator equips dairy farmers and their trusted advisors with practical, science-based tools and resources that support informed conservation decision-making. Through one accessible digital hub, it connects users to practices, technologies, funding opportunities, research, and technical resources that support continuous improvement, environmental stewardship, farm viability, and resilient dairy systems.
PLATFORM GUIDE
How to Use the Dairy Conservation Navigator
The Dairy Conservation Navigator is a free, public platform created by the U.S. Dairy Checkoff that organizes science‑based information on conservation practices, technologies, and sustainability topics relevant to U.S. dairy farms of all sizes and geographies.
Master the Science
Explore the Learning Hub to understand the “why” and “how” behind key dairy sustainability topics through clear, practical materials.
Content is available in multiple formats—web pages, webinars/videos, slide decks, and handouts—so it’s easy to learn, train teams, and share information at regional events.
Learn about Practices
A searchable, filterable library of common and emerging practices and technologies used on dairy farms to reduce environmental footprint and improve on-farm efficiency.
Each practice includesde on what changes on-farm, common implementation considerations, and an overview of potential environmental and management impacts.
Find Funding
Explore federal, state, and private agricultural grants that can support on-farm improvements. See what’s open now, what’s coming soon, and what’s closed but likely to reopen—all in one searchable place.
Each listing includes key details — award amounts, deadlines, supported practices, eligible applicants, and funding sources — all in one place.
Questions & Answers
Detailed information about the platform, goals, and development.
Environmental sustainability in agriculture is increasingly important to consumers. Every day, dairy farming impact the land, water and air we all share. But as good environmental stewards, farmers have always innovated and adopted new practices and technologies to produce nutritious foods using fewer natural resources. Farmers rely on their local network of trusted farm advisors and agricultural professionals to inform them of opportunities, guide environmental sustainability practice selection, and support practice implementation with funding and technical assistance.
Farm advisors need to access credible information from experts, learn about innovations and find funding opportunities that will benefit the farmers they work with. However, this critical information is currently distributed across thousands of platforms managed by organizations/agencies that operate at global, national, and state-wide scales. Many farm advisors don’t have the capacity to navigate this complex and ever-changing network of resources. These information communication barriers contribute to underutilization and inequitable distribution of resources and impede regional capacity to support sustainability.
Dairy Conservation Navigator is designed to support trusted on-farm advisors.
This includes:
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On-farm advisors: Dairy nutritionists; veterinarians; agricultural equipment and supply dealers; genetic representatives & DHIA testers; agronomists and crop advisors; pharma representatives; and bankers
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Value-chain stakeholders: Dairy cooperatives and processors; university extension
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Conservation professionals: County Soil and Water Conservation Districts; USDA NRCS staff; conservation or environmentally focused non-profits
In the dynamic and ever-evolving agricultural landscape, the role of well-informed and knowledgeable agricultural conservation professionals cannot be overstated. These advisors serve as a critical bridge between research, innovation, and the farming community, playing a pivotal role in disseminating cutting-edge information and best practices. Farm advisors provide key educational and technical assistance to farmers and are an essential component of successful modern-day, climate-smart farming. They impart knowledge to farmers about innovative sustainability practices and technologies, guide the practice implementation process, and may provide or help farmers access financial assistance.
Dairy Conservation Navigator can also be a great resource for farmers. If you are a farmer interested in contributing additional insights or information, we encourage you to contact us.
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The Dairy Conservation Navigator is committed to providing the most up-to-date and relevant information on dairy sustainability practices. To ensure the platform remains a valuable resource for farmers and farm advisors, the organization plans to update the content frequently throughout the year. These updates will include the latest research findings, new sustainability practices, and emerging technologies that can help lower a farm's environmental footprint.
Additionally, the platform will continually refine its educational materials and technical insights based on feedback from stakeholders. This ongoing process will ensure that the information remains practical, credible, and aligned with the evolving needs of the dairy industry. By regularly incorporating new resources and responding to user input, the Dairy Conservation Navigator aims to be the go-to source for dairy-specific sustainability insights and decision-making support.
Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) collaborated with over 70 subject matter experts nationwide to develop and review the platform's content. These experts included farmers, dairy veterinarians, dairy nutritionists, university extension professionals, conservation specialists, as well as staff and researchers from DMI, the National Dairy FARM Program, and Newtrient.
The platform includes both common and innovative practices:
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Common practices: Highlighting common and well-establishes practices showcases the environmental benefits of practices many dairy farmers are already implementing. Including these practices in the platform also offers educational value to stakeholders who are new to the dairy industry.
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Innovative practices: Emerging and innovative practices are included to help users explore the latest technologies and practices that reduce a farm’s environmental impact. The database provides practical, science-based, and objective information about these practices, supporting users' decision making.
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