Area Farm & Ranch News
CAFOs face new permitting requirements
Permitted animal feeding operations will soon face a choice as they look to renew their licensing this year.
New rules will require producers to decide between a new state general permit and a more costly federal permit.
“Farmers are just now registering that this is something they will face in the next year,” said John Lory, University of Missouri Extension environmental nutrient management specialist. “We understand it’s going to be confusing and farmers need help to be prepared for the deadlines later this year.”
More than 550 animal feeding operations in Missouri now hold permits. Most have held a federal general permit previously. Many of those permits will expire Feb. 23, 2011, so producers will have to choose between the new Missouri general permit and a federal permit in time for the application renewal deadline in late July.
Specifics of the new state general permit are still under development, but two important differences from the previous permit are known.
The new permit will differ from previous standards by prohibiting any type of discharge of manure for any reason. It also requires all producers to use the new Nutrient Management Technical Standard to develop a nutrient management plan that will determine manure application rates and define conditions where manure application is restricted.
The second option is to get a federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which also requires a nutrient management plan that follows NMTS. The biggest difference in the federal permit is a provision that allows certain exceptions to strict manure spill restrictions. All hog operations will be required to obtain the federal permit.
Changes from the old federal general permit include additional public notice requirements for obtaining or amending a permit and higher fees compared with the state permit.
Lory said producers with open liquid manure storage will need to choose carefully.
“In simple terms, if an operation discharges waste there will be fewer ramifications and fines with the federal permit,” he said. “In most instances that won’t matter, but in a time like last year where we saw excessive rain, even the best systems can overflow and that will not be allowed with the state permit.”
The MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program will be holding a two-day course on how to interpret and use the Missouri NMTS, February 2-3 at the MU Bradford Research and Extension Center near Columbia, Missouri.
Cost of the course is $185 and includes two lunches. Call Katrina Turner-Spencer at 573-882-0378 to register before January 27. For more information, see www. nmplanner.missouri.edu/training/#advanced.
MU Commercial Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will be holding free educational sessions throughout the state to explain CAFO permit requirements and answer questions:
•Dexter: March 2, 1 p.m. Keller Public Library.
•Eldon: March 8, 7 p.m. Eldon Community Center.
•Macon: March 4, 1 p.m. Floral Hall, Macon County Park.
•Mexico: March 4, 7 p.m. Audrain 4-H Center.
•Mount Vernon: March 1, 1 p.m. MU Southwest Center.
•Neosho: March 1, 7 p.m. Wright Conference Room, Arnold Farber Bldg., Crowder College.
•Sedalia: March 8, 1 p.m. Farm Credit Services meeting room.
•Trenton: March 5, 1 p.m. Alexander Student Center, North Central Missouri College.
- Area Farm & Ranch News
-
-
Low-stress cattle management can increase profits and consumer confidence
Low-stress management is an option which meets the consumer and the producer needs.
-
Grandin to speak at OSU seminar
Temple Grandin coming to Oklahoma State University on September 15 to speak to the students and public about animal welfare.
-
Weather encourages menagerie of insects
There's quite a collection of insects being found in Arkansas due to the hot weather: armyworms, bollworms, grasshoppers, stinkbugs, tobacco budworms, salt marsh caterpillars, wooly bears, loopers and three-cornered alfalfa hoppers.
-
SW Center Field Day set Sept. 10
Fences, particularly those used in management-intensive grazing systems, will be discussed at the upcoming Southwest Center field day on September 10.
-
OBC field days aim to educate producers
The Oklahoma Beef Council through the beef checkoff program, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, is hosting field days in four districts throughout the state to educate beef producers about topics including beef quality, cattle production and handling, consumer demand and methods to increase profitability.
-
Wheat production and preserving water quality discussed at recent meeting
Area producers learned about the 2010 wheat crop and how to plan for next year, as well as how to properly handle poultry litter.
-
Advances in beef productivity have reduced carbon footprint
Jude Capper’s research revealed improvements in nutrition, management, growth rate and processing weights, significantly have reduced the environmental impact of modern beef production and improved its sustainability.
-
August is Kansas Farmers’ Market Month
In support of the state’s farmers’ markets, Governor Mark Parkinson signing a proclamation declaring August Kansas Farmers’ Market Month and August 1 to 7 Kansas Farmers’ Market Week.
-
Kansas ranch family wins environmental stewardship award
Sproul Ranch, owned by Bill and Peggy Sproul, Sedan, Kansas, is a 2010 regional Environmental Stewardship Award winner.
-
Missouri beef tour slated August 28
The 2010 University of Missouri Extension 14th annual Beef Tour is slated for August 28.
- More Area Farm & Ranch News Headlines
-
