June 12, 2009

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 “Newsletters” section of our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

Non-ambulatory Cattle Care Workshops

Workshops providing information on the prevention, treatment and care of non-ambulatory cattle will be held June 22 in Tulare and June 23 in Modesto.  The workshops are sponsored by the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program.  All participants will receive a certificate of completion.  The sessions will include a variety of interactive methods such as practical “hands-on” labs, demonstrations of tools and practices, audio/visual presentations and a question and answer session with presenters.  RSVP online at www.dairycares.com/RSVP or call 1-866-66CDQAP.  

Workshop schedule:

·        Monday, June 22. Social Hall, Heritage Complex International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina Street, Tulare. 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

·        Tuesday, June 23. Stanislaus County Ag Center, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto. 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Study finds modern dairies green, sustainable

Contrary to the negative image often associated with large farm operations, the U.S. population’s requirements for dairy products is best fulfilled and most sustainable through the application of modern agricultural techniques, a just-released study has shown. The study, conducted by Drs. Jude Capper and Dale Bauman of Cornell University and Roger Cady, formerly of Monsanto and now with Elanco Animal Health, compared the environmental impact of modern (2007) U.S. dairy production with that of dairy systems in 1944. For the comparison, the researchers used a deterministic model based on the metabolism and nutrient requirements of the dairy herd. The model estimated resource inputs and waste outputs per billion kilograms of milk. Both the modern and historical production systems were modeled using characteristic management practices, herd population dynamics and production data from U.S. dairy farms. Among the findings were that modern dairy practices require considerably fewer resources than dairying in 1944 with 21% of animals, 23% of feedstuffs, 35% of the water and only 10% of the land required to produce the same 1 billion kg of milk. Waste outputs were similarly reduced, with modern dairy systems producing 24% of the manure, 43% of CH4 and 56% of N2O per billion kg of milk, compared with equivalent milk from historical dairying.

Proposal would keep WDR fees the same next year

A proposal by state water board staff would keep fees for Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) at the current level for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. The staff proposal will be heard by the California Water Resources Control Board at its next board meeting. WDR fees saw a considerable rise last year, so keeping the fees at the same level would be welcome news for dairy producers who are dealing with low milk prices.

Agriculture Air Quality Workshops

Tuesday, June 16

8 a.m. – Merced County Farm Bureau, 646 S. Highway 59, Merced

1 p.m. – Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, 1201 L St., Modesto

5:30 p.m. – San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, 3290 N. Ad Art Rd., Stockton

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

JUNE

To receive more information on WUES, please contact your WUES Environmental Technician or WUES Office:

·         Phone (209) 238-3818

·         Fax (209) 238-3808

·         Email: info@wuenvironmental.com

·         www.wuenvironmental.com