Events and Activities : Workshops Provide Environmental Update for Medium-Sized Feedlots & Dairies

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 in Calmar
• June 28 — Country Junction Restaurant in Dyersville
• June 29 — Buzzy’s Restaurant in Welton
• June 30 — Moose Lodge in Charles City

All workshops will run from 10 a.m. to 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.”

Each 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 Iowa regulations. Consultants and companies from Iowa and surrounding states are sponsors for the workshops and will be available to discuss engineering services, manure plans and technical assistance.

Registration for the workshop is $30 for individuals and the first person from each livestock operation and $15 for each additional person from the same livestock operation. Please contact the ISU Extension county office associated with the site to be attended: for the Calmar workshop, call 563-382-2949; for the Dyersville workshop, call 563-583-6496; for the Welton workshop, call 563-659-5125; or for the Charles City workshop, call 641-228-1453. Payment may be made at the door, but pre-registration is required to plan for meals and materials. Please register by June 22.

Denise Schwab, ISU Extension beef field specialist, 319-472-4739, dschwab@iastate.edu