Our Purpose
The Dairy Grazing Alliance, which now houses the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship , is working to grow each part of the dairy grazing sector. It is comprised of a diverse set of industry stakeholders and dairy grazing farmers who are developing all aspects of dairy grazing's value chain. We do this by fostering cooperation and inspiring innovation and action between farming operations, major CPG brands, research institutions, among others.
By aligning players across the value chain, we will build new markets for dairy produced through managed grazing by increasing the financing, research and technical resources required to scale production in order to serve emerging markets.
Once scaled, managed grazing can be a significant tool in the U.S. dairy industry’s toolbox of effective climate solutions. Part of our work is to advocate for and advance continued research studies that showcase managed grazing's environmental benefits.
Our Convening
In the spring of 2024, the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship brought together more than 35 changemakers from across the U.S. dairy industry. This included dairy farmers, technical support organizations, government agencies, financing institutions, among others. The goal? To align and develop action plans for catalyzing the development of and support for a vibrant managed grazing dairy sector.
During this convening, participants agreed that in order for the full potential of U.S. managed grazing dairy to be realized, all parts of the value chain must grow. The Dairy Grazing Alliance was identified as the organization to lead this growth.
The Alliance is led by Joe Tomandl, a fourth-generation dairy farmer in central Wisconsin, who is also founder of the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. Joe and his family operate three profitable grass-based dairy farms, each milking approximately 170 cows. Joe is a passionate leader in the managed grazing dairy sector, providing the leadership, inspiration, and oversight necessary to help the Alliance grow and the Apprenticeship continue to succeed.
Our Work
Dairy produced from managed grazing is nutritious and climate-smart. It is well-aligned with the rapidly growing market for grass-fed dairy among consumers who place a high value on nutrient-dense products that positively impact the environment.
Yet despite managed grazing's proven value in places like New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, the U.S. dairy grazing sector has not scaled in production systems and markets. It requires more investment and development within the dairy industry, education and public policy. It must grow faster in all directions to meet a new and significant wave of consumer interest in grass-fed dairy products. The U.S. market for grass-fed milk is expected to grow 22.4% in the next 10 years.
Now is the time to scale managed grazing for dairy. This requires all hands on deck, led by the Alliance's dairy grazing farmers and diverse set of industry stakeholders who have the knowledge, skills and connections to accelerate the sector's growth.
Managed Grazing for Climate Mitigation
“The single most effective agricultural practice for delivering an array of ecosystem services while returning a sustainable income to farmers is managed grazing of perennial pastures.” - College of Agricultural & Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (November 2021)
Managed grazing mimics natural prairie ecosystems that used to support large grazing herds, such as bison. In a managed grazing system, cows eat grass and spread organic matter as they graze, which reduces energy use as well as the cost of feed production, harvest and storage. Cows are rotated through biologically diverse, high-quality paddocks in a manner that allows pasture periods of rest so the grass can regrow. Waterways are protected and restored, along with critical wildlife and pollinator habitats.
Managed grazing is a proven way to positively impact our environment and rural communities. It has been shown to mitigate climate change, regenerate soil health and improve water quality. It reduces the use of fossil fuels, sequesters carbon, minimizes soil
erosion and improves water filtration.
How to Get Involved
For more information about how you or your organization can get involved with the Dairy Grazing Alliance, please email us at info@dga-national.org .
Read the press release about the launch of Dairy Grazing Alliance at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit here