HARRISBURG — The next round of funding for the Dairy Excellence Grant Program opened on Wednesday, Feb. 1, and Pennsylvania dairy producers have until Feb. 28 to submit a grant application.
The program is ideal for Pennsylvania dairy producers who want to improve cow comfort, milk production per cow, or overall efficiency on their dairy farm. Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this is a competitive grant program that offers up to a 50 percent, or up to a maximum matching level of $5,000, to dairy farms approved into the program. Grant applications will only be accepted from February 1-28, 2023, with selections made and winning applicants notified by March 15.
“Pennsylvania dairy producers are laser focused on efficiency, but don’t always have the time or funds to invest in improvement projects on the farm. These grants allow us to support a wide range of projects that are improving efficiency, enhancing production and making a real difference in Pennsylvania dairy herds,” said Melissa Anderson, Programs and Operations Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “This is a competitive grant with a limited window to apply, so make sure you submit your application by February 28.”
Improvement projects can include anything related to improving dairy farm efficiency, cow comfort, milking facilities, housing facilities, or feeding systems. The project should focus on improving milk production per cow and/or enhancing overall farm profitability and efficiency. Examples of applicable projects include fans, sprinklers or misters in free stall or tie stall barns; curtains or other ventilation improvements; mattresses or construction to move to deep bedded sand stalls; variable speed pulsation; new lighting; cow brush or foot bath installation and more.
The Center has awarded a total of $580,000 to more than 100 Pennsylvania dairy producers between previous rounds of the grant program. A total of more than 26,000 Pennsylvania dairy cows have been impacted by these improvement projects, and herd sizes have ranged from approximately 50 cows to 2,000 cows. Dairy producers who received the grants during previous rounds have used the funds to upgrade feed bunks, install new crowd gates, invest in new mattresses, enhance walkways and drainage buffers, and more.
To participate in the Dairy Excellence Grant program, dairy farms must complete an application. A $100 application fee is required upon submission but will be reimbursed if the application is not accepted. Individuals must have a dairy farm to apply. As part of the application process, dairy producers will be required to:
- Be compliant with the National FARM Program or a similar program
- Have a Conservation and Nutrient Management Plan in place
- List two consultants/advisors who work with their farm (nutritionist, accountant, veterinarian, etc.)
- Explain how the improvement will help their overall operation and aid in milk production per cow, efficiency and/or cow comfort
Grant recipients will be notified by March 15, 2023. Expenses/invoices must be submitted by June 30, 2023.
Dairy farm businesses or individuals receiving the Dairy Excellence Grant during the Fall 2022 round are not eligible to receive a grant in this round. Those who applied for a Dairy Excellence Grant at any point but were not accepted into the program are eligible to apply again.
To apply, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/dairy-excellence-grants to submit your application online or download a printed application to mail back. Applications will only be accepted from February 1-28, 2023. Contact Melissa Anderson at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or 717-636-0779 for more information.