Workshops provide environmental issues update for medium size feedlots, dairies
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension will offer four workshops in northeastern and eastern Iowa featuring environmental issues for feedlots and dairies that are medium-sized concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
The workshop schedule is as follows:
June 27 — NICC Dairy Center, Calmar
June 28 — Country Junction Restaur-ant, Dyersville
June 29 — Buzzy’s Restaurant, Welton
June 30 — Moose Lodge, Charles City
Workshops run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
“Medium CAFOs are defined by a combination of size and pollutant discharge conditions,” said Angie Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension program specialist. “If you meet the size threshold, you are defined as a CAFO if you discharge pollutants to waters of the U.S. by direct contact of the animals with the waters or by discharging through a man-made ditch, flushing system or similar man-made device.”
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ach workshop will cover the following topics: definition of a medium-sized CAFO; National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements; design criteria for manure and effluent handling and storage; operation, maintenance and nutrient management plans; and resources for technical and financial assistance.
Staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will present information on the permitting process and regulations. Consultants and companies are sponsors for the workshops and will be available to discuss engineering services, manure plans and technical assistance.
Registration is $30 for individuals and the first person from each livestock operation and $15 for each additional person from the same livestock operation.
Contact the ISU Extension county office associated with the site to be attended: for Calmar, 563-382-2949; for Dyers-ville, 563-583-6496; for Welton, 563-659-5125; or for Charles City, 641-228-1453.
Payment may be made at the door, but pre-registration by June 22 is required to plan for meals and materials.