Weekly Update
Weekly Update
August 1, 2008
Weekly Update is a publication written by the staff at Western United Environmental Services (WUES) to show you how our organization can assist you with your environmental challenges. Each week you will receive valuable information and helpful tips from the team at WUES. Our purpose is to help you comply with the Waste Discharge Requirements from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. If you missed any of our publications, you can find them in the “News” section of our website at http://www.wuenvironmental.com.
Plant Tissue Sampling
Dan Roos - As we have all worked our way through this trying and confusing first year of Dairy Compliance testing, many issues have surfaced as to the sampling and care of Crop samples. With the Corn harvest here or around the corner, we should spend a few moments to reflect on tissue sampling. During the sampling of winter forages there were numerous errors in collections and much of the analysis will be skewed or unrealistic. The largest discrepancies have been between the harvested moisture of a crop and the sample moisture delivered to the labs. The crop removal rates can vary greatly, because of moisture, from that of the actual Nitrogen that was removed. A mishandled sample between the field and the lab can account for a tissue analysis that shows a huge reduction in the actual Nitrogen removed compared to what was actually harvested. The analysis can also show a huge, unattainable crop yield and removal. Both analysis outcomes may receive additional scrutiny from the Water Board. We must be diligent in our collection of samples and then the storage and delivery of our samples.
The sampling of the Corn harvest must be done with more care to prevent the problems and discrepancies we saw with winter forage and somewhat currently now with Alfalfa Hay. One lab experienced an average of 45% moisture on Winter Forage silage. As farmers, we do not put up silage with 45% moisture. That number is far from the reality of what we put in our silage pits. The mishandling or incorrect sampling of our harvested crops ultimately changes our Nitrogen balance ratio from what it should be. Remember, this is one of the most looked at numbers by the Water Board. If you have questions or concerns, contact your WUES Tech. We are all certified in the collection of samples for the Water Board’s Dairy Compliance tests.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND DO IN TISSUE SAMPLING
l Don’t take samples in the field.
l Sample at the Pit as the trucks empty their loads.
l If a load has set for any amount of time, remove the outer layer and then take sample.
l Once the sample is collected place it in a cool sealed container (small igloo with dry cool pack)
l When crop field is harvested, stir together all sub-samples to make one uniform sample.
l Store in a sealed plastic bag in a dry cooled, igloo or a refrigerator, do not freeze.
l Deliver to the lab within 72 hours for best results, the sooner the better.
For an additional reference: http://www.cdqa.org/wdr/binder_documents/spring_2008/Sampling%20Forage%20Plant%20Tissue%20Protocol-draft%202-25DM.doc
This Week in the News
Fresno Bee Editorial: Making small farms grow. They may need help in efforts to reduce fuel costs, air pollution. - - A small gathering in a field near Del Rey this week raised some interesting questions about the future of small farms in the Valley. Can smaller, labor-intensive farm operations take advantage of modern -- and constantly evolving -- technology to survive in a difficult environment? For the sake of agriculture in the Valley, we hope the answer is yes. <more> July 31, 2008 Fresno Bee
CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES
AUGUST
|
1st of the month |
Photograph Free Board in Ponds |
|
Each month |
Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds) |
|
Process wastewater application |
Visual inspections, volume, date |
|
Solid Manure applications |
Volume/density OR weight/moisture |
|
Manure Exports |
Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture (require lab analysis) |
|
Harvest |
Yield, lab analysis |
|
Irrigation event |
Volume, source, date |
|
Tail water discharge |
Date, time, volume, duration, location, destination, field measurements & lab analysis if within 60 days of manure application. |
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