Weekly Update May 14, 2010

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Our goal is to provide you with breaking coverage of environmentally related diary news. We provide the latest information about the Waste Discharge Requirements from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. We endeavor to assist you with your environmental concerns and any challenges along the way. All previous publications of the Weekly Update can be found in the newsletters section on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

Make plans today to attend the Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Implementation Field Day on May 26. You will get firsthand experience in understanding your NMP and using your flow meter to meet crop nutrient needs and water quality regulations. This workshop will be held at Wyeth Dairy, 7319 Beckwith Road in Modesto beginning at 10 a.m. To register for this workshop or more information, contact Joe Choperena at jchoperena@suscon.org or call (415) 977-0380 extension 320.

Don’t get too comfortable with the policies and programs contained in the current federal farm bill: That was the message that the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee brought to farmers and ranchers attending a field hearing in Fresno last week. Dairy farmer Jaime Bledsoe of Riverdale told committee members that an effective and fair economic safety net is a must for dairy producers, especially now when “dairy families all over the state are losing what took them years and even generations to build.” “The economic situation facing the California dairy industry this past year was ruinous,” Bledsoe said. “While things have improved slightly, dairy families are still experiencing negative margins. In fact, May will mark at least the 18th consecutive month of low milk prices and high input costs.” An economic safety net based on milk price alone will no longer be sufficient, Bledsoe said. <more> May 12, 2010 Ag Alert

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invites landowners to apply now for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010. "CSP is an opportunity tailor-made for our conservation-minded ranchers and farmers to continue to achieve even higher levels of conservation stewardship," says Ed Burton, NRCS State Conservationist in California. Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. Individuals, entities, and Indian Tribes operating agricultural or private non-industrial private forestland may be eligible for the program. <more> May 12, 2010 NRCS Press Release

Dairy Herd Management has learned that according to key Senate staff, a vote on Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) resolution of disapproval, S.J. Res 26, is expected as soon as next week. This legislation would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from continuing their efforts to regulate greenhouse gases (GHG) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Farmers are urged to contact their Congressman or Congresswoman to show support for this measure. The National Milk Producers Federation joined 137 other agriculture organizations in a letter to Sen. Murkowski supporting her introduction of the resolution. The groups stated that such regulatory actions would carry severe consequences for the U.S. economy, including America’s farmers and ranchers, through increased input costs and international market disparities. NMPF notes that if this resolution fails, nearly 99 percent of all U.S. dairy farms could be hit with new EPA regulations. <more> May 11, 2010 Dairy Herd Management

Two free environmental stewardship classes are being offered by the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) on June 1 and June 2 in Hilmar. These will be the last water quality classes offered by CDQAP this spring. For producers interested in certifying their facility, the same person from the dairy facility must attend all six hours of water quality education. The Environmental Short Course is being taught by Dr. Deanne Meyer, livestock waste management specialist at UC Davis. The sessions will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hilmar Cheese Company visitor center, 9001 North Lander Avenue, Hilmar. Producers who have attended previous CDQAP water quality courses and want to check on whether they have completed enough hours may call to verify their status. May 10, 2010 CDQAP Notice

1^st of the month	Photograph Free Board in Ponds
Each week	Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds)
Process wastewater application	Visual inspections, volume, date, field & laboratory analysis
Solid manure application	Volume/density OR weight/moisture, and lab analysis 2x per year
Manure Exports	Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture
Harvest	Yield, lab analysis
Irrigation event	Volume, source, date, EC and total nitrogen (for each source annually)
Tail water discharge	Date, time, volume, duration, location, source, destination, field measurements & lab analysis if within 60 days of manure application.

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