Weekly Update Dec. 4, 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 “news” section of our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

Managing price risk on your dairy will be the topic of an educational seminar set for Dec. 15 in Modesto and Dec. 16 in Tulare. The sessions are hosted by Western United Dairymen. Sponsors are American AgCredit; Bank of America; F&M Bank; Western Milling and Yosemite Farm Credit. The meetings will provide an introduction to price risk management. Information will be provided by the leading brokers and consultants in the field: Blimling, Downes-O'Neill/FC Stone and First Capitol Ag. Seminar topics include The Changed Economic Landscape; Risk Management as Margin Management and California Uniqueness, Execution and Outlook. The Modesto seminar will be held Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Stanislaus County Ag Center, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Tulare seminar will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tulare Ag Center, 4450 S. Laspina Street, Tulare. Registration is free to WUD members. Non-member registration fee is $30. Registration deadline is Dec. 9, 2009. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Heidi Savage at hsavage@westernuniteddairymen.com. A registration form can be downloaded at http://www.westernuniteddairymen.com/RiskManagementSeminarsFlyer.pdf.

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.

Western United Dairymen, along with other agricultural organizations, is asking its members to fill out a questionnaire regarding self-propelled off-road agricultural equipment that is 25 hp or greater. This survey will remain open through December 31, 2009. There are three to four questions in this survey dealing with region, commodities and equipment. It will take approximately 20 minutes to fill out depending on how much equipment you own. Please complete and return the survey even if you don't own any equipment. To complete the on-line form go to http://www.cfbf.com/agoffroadsurvey/.

Additionally, WUD field representatives will be distributing the survey forms to members and encouraging them to fill it out and mail it back to us. The packet will include the survey form, a cover letter and stamped envelope for each member. WUD members are encouraged to contact their field representative for further information.

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

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