Malheur County in Oregon, US, has been awarded a BDO Zone ‘A’ rating for dairy and feedlot manure, marking the first designation of its kind in North America.
Malheur County Economic Development, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative announced the rating on April 23, confirming the region’s strong potential to support manure-based bioenergy and bioproduct projects. The designated zone covers an area within a 75-mile drive radius of Nyssa, Oregon, and is rated to supply approximately 190,000 wet tonnes of manure per year.
An ‘A’ rating indicates high prospective viability for feedstock supply and infrastructure, alongside low expectations of default risk within the zone. Officials said dairies and feedlots across Oregon have shown strong willingness to engage with new buyers, particularly as existing manure markets are often seasonal and subject to saturation.
Regulatory priorities aimed at reducing land application of manure, combined with established management practices and existing infrastructure, are seen as strengthening the region’s readiness for alternative uses of manure. Confidence in the projected supply is supported by the historically stable performance of the region’s dairy and beef sectors.
Taylor J. Rembowski, Economic Development Director of Malheur County, said the designation underscores the county’s preparedness for further development in the bioenergy sector.
“The ‘A’ rating highlights Malheur County’s readiness for bioenergy development, while also pointing to opportunities to continue building on that momentum,” Rembowski said. “With reliable feedstock supply and a strong infrastructure foundation already in place, we’re well-positioned to attract new biobased investment and support sustainable growth in the region.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, said the rating reflects both infrastructure readiness and producer engagement across the region.
“Malheur County’s ‘A’ rating reflects a strong foundation for manure-based bioenergy development, supported by a reliable feedstock supply and a clear willingness among regional producers to engage new buyers,” Solomon said. “Existing infrastructure and the long-term strength of the local dairy and beef industries position the region well to support new manure-based bio-projects.”
