Weekly Update Dec. 18, 2009

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Our goal is to provide you with the latest information about the WDR’s from the Water Board and how our organization can help you with your environmental challenges. All previous publications of the Weekly Update can be found in the News section on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

The CDFA has issued its final determination following a Nov. 9, 2009 milk pricing hearing. The Department has decided to amend the Class 1, 2, 3, 4a and 4b pricing formulas on a temporary basis for the period January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010 by increasing the Class 1 price approximately $0.35/cwt. by adding:

The CDFA also is increasing the Class 2 and 3 prices approximately $0.25/cwt. by adding $0.0205 per pound to both the milk fat and milk solids-not-fat prices. The CDFA also is Increasing the Class 4a and 4b prices approximately $0.10/cwt. by adding $0.0082 per pound to both the milk fat and milk solids-not-fat prices. The effect of these changes will, on average, increase the monthly pool prices for the three months by approximately $0.155/cwt. The temporary changes to the Class 1, 2, 3, 4a and 4b pricing formulas will be reflected in the amendments to the Stabilization and Marketing Plans for Market Milk for the Northern California and Southern California Marketing Areas (Stab Plans), Order Numbers 54 and 69, respectively. The adjustments to the Stab Plans will take effect for milk delivered to processing plants on or after January 1, 2010. The Hearing Determinations, Panel Report, Stab Plans and more detailed explanation of the Department’s decision can be obtained online at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dairy/dairy_hear_Final_Emerg_Hearing110909.html

Growers in the eight-county San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District have until January 2010, to replace older, high-polluting, Tier 0 diesel engines greater than 50 hp with EPA-certified Tier 3 or Tier 4 engines. The rule is the latest installment in complying with District Rule 4702, which regulates air pollution emissions from Ag engines not used in tractors or Ag implements, such as irrigation pump engines. Growers statewide will need to meet a similar requirement by January 2011 under parallel rules by the State Air Board. In addition, San Joaquin Valley growers after January face more onerous permitting requirements if they plan to install or modify Ag engines, depending on whether or not they qualify as a "significant polluter." The cut-off for "significant polluter" will be lowered from 12.5 tons per year due to the severe non-attainment for ozone status of the SJV. The classification is based on NOx and VOC emissions determined by type and number of internal combustion motors and hours of operation. Estimates indicate growing operations with as few as two or three irrigation pump motors greater than 50 hp may exceed the limit that allows them to register under the District's Permit Exempt Equipment Registration (PEER) program. Those growers will instead need an "Authority to Construct" permit, which requires significantly more process and paperwork. Contact the SJV Air District at (559)-230-6000 for additional information.

Herd managers and other interested supervisors can attend a one-day Spanish seminar on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Merced. They will learn how to deal with difficult disciplinary situations, give positive feedback, and deal with other interpersonal interactions. The cost of the seminar is $36 and it includes lunch and materials. There is a discount for registrations postmarked on or before December 30, 2009. Instructors will be farm advisor Gregorio Billikopf and labor consultant Ryan Boothe. For more information contact Billikopf at gebillikopf@ucdavis.edu or call 209-525-6800. Dec. 9, 2009 UCCE Notice

The threat of looming federal restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions could cause lawmakers to move with greater urgency on climate change legislation next year. Rick Krause, senior director of congressional relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the Environmental Protection Agency's movement toward tightened emissions rules should cause lawmakers to begin finalizing legislation "in the next couple months." "It seems like everybody's talking about the fact that they prefer legislation to regulation, including President Obama," Krause said. "So I would think that there will be more urgency." While the Obama administration has said it supports a legislative solution, it is also moving to implement regulations. On Dec. 7, EPA released an endangerment finding, saying it had concluded that greenhouse gases threaten human health. It was a required step in the process of implementing new automobile emissions rules, which EPA and the Department of Transportation proposed in September. EPA wants the rules in place by spring in order to give car manufacturers sufficient notice before implementing emissions controls in 2012 models.<more> Dec.17,2009 Capital Press

1^st of the month	Photograph Free Board in Ponds
Weekly	Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds)
Manure Exports	Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture (require lab analysis)
Harvest	Yield, lab analysis

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