COWS Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill creates a new way for farmers to get federal money for managing animal waste more cleanly. It focuses on reducing methane and nitrous oxide, which are gases that contribute to climate change. The goal is to help the environment while supporting farm operations.
• Farmers could get up to 100 percent of their costs covered for things like new equipment, labor, and training. To help with the high price of starting these projects, the government would pay at least half of the money upfront so farmers can buy what they need right away.
• The program encourages farmers to move away from liquid manure pits and toward methods like composting or rotational grazing. These practices help keep water clean and can turn waste into high-quality fertilizer that makes soil healthier for growing crops.
• Small and medium-sized dairy and livestock farms would be first in line for the funding. The bill also lets groups of farmers work together to build shared composting centers, which helps smaller farms use technology they might not be able to afford alone.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.