manure

Last week, a state senate panel approved legislation requiring Idaho officials to consider economic impact when imposing pollution regulations on farms and ranches because of the cattle manure produced. By a 5-3 vote, the bill moves to the full Senate for a vote ...

A team of researchers at the University of Idaho recently secured a $10 million grant from the USDA to evaluate the use of bioproducts generated by the dairy industry. The U of I’s Mark McGuire says this five-year project will involve a wide variety of disciplines, and this funding will allow them to look at expanding bioproduct options that currently exist. ...

Two Outlook area dairies could face a federal lawsuit for the way their handle cow manure.  SMD LLC and DBD Washington LLC are currently under state investigation for their handling of cow manure.   According to the Yakima Herald, the two were recently notified by CARE, Friends of Toppenish Creek and the Center for Food Safety, of their intent to file a federal lawsuit.  The thr...

The Washington State Dairy Federation is challenging rules meant to protect groundwater, saying it will delay fertilizing crops with manure.  The Washington Department of Ecology rules prohibit spreading manure until temperatures are above freezing for a prolonged period.  Th...

Last week, the Washington state Department of Agriculture announced the recipients of eight water quality projects funded by fines issued to dairies.  The fines were issued to operations for improper recordkeeping or manure management.  The WSDA said its Dairy Nutrient Management Program works with dairies across the state to make sure they handle manure in ways that minimize the risks of impactin

The Washington state Department of Agriculture is reminding livestock producers, dairy operators and anyone with a few large animal to plan now for proper manure storage and usage during the fall and winter months.  Chery Sullivan with the WSDA says it’s important to understand the soil composition near any lagoons or fields where you plan to apply manure.  She said...

Royal Dairy and the Washington State Dairy Products Commission held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently, for their new BioFiltro wastewater treatment system.  Royal Dairy owner Austin Allred said they are accountable for every ounce of water used on their 7,000-milking cow operation.  ...

Using manure instead of fertilizer for nutrients in crops has been used for a long time, but research out of Ohio State University is looking for ways to improve that.   Glen Arnold with OSU Extension said their new approach has improved corn yields and reduced fertilizer costs.  ...

Farm and livestock groups continue to fight for an exemption from emergency reporting of manure emissions, after the EPA lost a federal court decision to environmental groups that sued over the exemption.  An appeals court in DC denied a request by pork, poultry and other livestock and farm groups to rehear its rejection of an EPA exemption from 2008 U.S. m...

Neighboring hops and dairy farms in the Yakima Valley are helping each other deal with byproducts and production in a partnership that could lead to more like it in agriculture.   Tyler Carpenter, head of employee safety and quality control at Carpenter Ranches said he was connected with his neighbor through an organic company.  ...