COWS Act of 2025

This bill changes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program under the Food Security Act of 1985 to add composting practices and alternative manure management practices as eligible conservation practices. Alternative manure management means methods that cut methane and nitrous oxide emissions from manure, such as pasture-based grazing, compost-bedded barns, and solid separation with drying or composting. The Secretary of Agriculture could pay up to 100 percent of the costs of these practices, must pay at least half in advance for materials, equipment, and technical assistance, and could waive normal payment limits. The Secretary would rank applications by emissions reductions and environmental benefits, let groups of producers apply jointly for shared composting facilities, and aim to award most contracts to small and mid-sized dairy and livestock operations. Within one year, the Secretary must also create a new conservation practice standard for on-farm compost production.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jim Costa Democrat sponsor
• 4 cosponsors