Penn State Extension Launches Organic and Regenerative Dairy Farm Assessment Program for PA Dairy Farmers

By Kasey Hower, Berks County Dairy Educator, Penn State Extension

A new initiative from Penn State Extension is giving dairy producers an opportunity to take a closer look at how grazing, feeding, and nutrient management practices affect both pro?tability and environmental performance. The Organic and Regenerative Dairy Farm Assessment Program will work directly with participating farms in Pennsylvania throughout the 2026 grazing season. The effort aims to evaluate current management practices and provide producers with data-driven recommendations to improve forage yield and quality, increase nutrient use efficiency, and make better use of homegrown feeds.

As part of the program, Extension investigators will visit participating farms four times between April and October. During each visit, pastures will be evaluated for pre- and post-grazing heights and forage mass, while all farm-fed forages, including pasture, will be sampled for nutrient analysis. Cattle will also be assessed for body condition and estimated weights, and bulk tank milk samples will be analyzed for components and fatty acid pro?les.

Researchers will also collect manure and urine samples to evaluate nitrogen excretion and measure soil nutrient levels at the beginning and end of the grazing season. These measurements will help determine how grazing and feeding practices in?uence nutrient balance on the farm.

At the conclusion of the season, a comprehensive report will summarize the ?ndings, compare results across participating farms, and include recommendations for potential improvements. Program organizers, Dr. Martins and Dr. Lawhead, will be presenting at the 26th Annual NODPA Field Days and will share their preliminary research results.

Program organizers say the goal is simple: provide practical tools and insights that help organic and regenerative dairy farms strengthen forage systems, retain nutrients more effectively, and ultimately improve farm pro?tability.

Kasey Hower, Berks County Dairy Educator, Penn State Extension, can be reached by email: kzm175@psu.edu. Program organizers can be reached by phone or email: Dr. Leoni Martins, Assistant Clinical Professor of Precision Dairy Nutrition at Penn State University Park at 814-863-1690 or leonimartins@psu.edu and Dr. Jim Lawhead, Extension Associate in Dairy Science at Penn State University Park at 717-275-5388 or jbl5606@psu.edu

Posted: to Organic Production on Fri, May 8, 2026
Updated: Fri, May 15, 2026