Hearings Board Issues CAFO Permit Ruling

/ Scott

The Pollution Control Hearings Board ruled October 25 on the CAFO permit appeal, handing a partial victory to Washington State Dairy Federation and Washington Farm Bureau.

The extreme activist coalition, led by Charlie Tebbutt and Puget Sound Keeper Alliance (PSA), was issued a TOTAL DEFEAT. The Hearings Board generally held their demands to be unsupported by science, and not reasonable to implement.

“The Board finds that the evidence established that a two foot vertical separation measured from the top of the liner inside the lagoon to the water table is sufficient for attenuation of pathogens and viruses.”

As a result, the Hearings Board has ordered Ecology to modify the permit to be consistent with NRCS on where to measure the vertical separation.

This means that functioning lagoons cannot be deemed deficient because Ecology wanted to change the measuring point for the vertical separation requirement.

Dairy Federation also challenged manure spreading limitations, excessive soil sampling requirements (depth and frequency), and the adaptive management requirements. In all these matters, the Hearings Board deferred to Ecology.

PSA demanded groundwater monitoring, surface water monitoring, individual (versus programmatic) permit standards and hearings, double synthetic liners with leak detection, and more. The Hearings Board ruled that PSA provided insufficient science to justify their demands.

“The Board concludes that PSA failed to prove that surface water monitoring is necessary.”

“The Board concludes that PSA failed to prove that ground water monitoring is necessary.”

“Ecology also determined that available information did not support a conclusion that seepage from all lagoons was resulting in the contamination of groundwater.”

The ruling can be appealed to Superior Court, if an appeal is filed within 30 days.

Dairy Federation is continuing to review the ruling and is consulting with legal counsel.

All dairies are required currently to comply with the Dairy Nutrient Management Act.  The additional requirements of the CAFO permit apply to CAFO permittees.

You may apply for the CAFO permit voluntarily but are required to apply if you have a discharge to surface water or ground water.

The decision to apply for a permit should be weighed carefully.

We will have additional discussion and review by legal counsel and crop consultants at the Washington Dairy Conference, Annual Meeting & Trade Show at Great Wolf Lodge December 3-5, 2018. Registration is free for Grade A dairies (and you can bring your family).

To register, go to www.WaStateDairy.com.

Washington State Dairy Ambassadors Selected

/ Scott

Pictured from left to right: Rebecca Ford, Jacoba (Cobi) VanSlageren, Abigail Zurcher, Anna Teachman, Claire Leininger, Juliana LeClair

Abigail Zurcher, representing the Mid–Columbia Counties, was crowned as the 2018-2019 Washington State Dairy Ambassador. Abigail was one of five finalists at the 63rd Annual Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation at the Bellevue High School Performing Arts Center in Bellevue, Wash.

Rebecca Ford representing Lewis County and Jacoba (Cobi) VanSlageren representing the Yakima Valley area were selected as equal Alternate State Dairy Ambassadors.

As a representative of the Dairy Farmers of Washington, the State Dairy Ambassador and Alternates will visit schools, attend local and state fairs, appear at Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) events, parades and many more activities including addressing the Washington State Legislature promoting the health and nutrition benefits of dairy products.

The dairy industry was well represented by their 2017-2018 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Anna Teachman (SeaTac) and Alternate State Dairy Ambassadors Juliana LeClair (Mount Vernon) and Claire Leininger (Everson). These young ladies traveled around the state educating students, parents and others on the positive impact and value of Washington’s dairy industry and the importance of dairy products.

Abigail Zurcher, the newly crowned WA State Dairy Ambassador, represented the Mid-Columbia counties. She is the daughter of Ed and Heather Zurcher from Mesa. Growing up on her family’s dairy, Abigail has a passion for agriculture and Dairy. She is active in 4H and FFA, showing heifers at the county fair and competing in FFA dairy related contests. Abigail is a 2018 graduate of Connell High School where she was very involved in student government, sports, and was an Honor Roll Recipient. Her future plans include attending the University of Idaho to major in Elementary Education and teaching kindergarten through third grade students in a small rural school district surrounded by agriculture.

Rebecca Ford is the newly crowned Alternate State Dairy Ambassador and represented Lewis County. She is the daughter of John and Rochelle Ford of Chehalis. Rebecca did not grow up on a dairy farm but found her love of dairy while working on a local dairy farm where she milked, fed calves, and assisted with healthcare of the animals. She is very involved in FFA, holding an offer position as well as competing on the state level in several areas. Rebecca is a 2018 graduate of W.F. West High School. Her future plans include earning a degree in Animal Science from Washington State University and continuing her education at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with the goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Jacoba (Cobi) Van Slageren is the newly crowned Alternate State Dairy Ambassador and represented the Yakima Valley. She is the daughter of Dirk and Carol VanSlageren of Granger. Cobi grew up on her family’s dairy farm where she is now a part-time employee. She has been a member of 4H for the past nine years, completing 9 dairy and 3 market steer projects, winning awards with both at the local fairs and Livestock shows. Cobi is a 2018 graduate of Sunnyside Christian High School where she was a member of Honors Society, Honors Choir and sports. Her future plans include attending Dordt College to earn an Elementary Education degree with the goal of teaching elementary school and helping children learn life skills and more about the agricultural community.

Administrated by the Washington State Dairy Women, the Dairy Ambassador program began in 1955 and has mentored and supported outstanding young women.

Five vie for WA State Dairy Ambassador positions on June 23rd in Bellevue

/ Darcel

The 2018 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation will be held Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Bellevue High School Performing Arts Center, 10416 SE Wolverine Way, Bellevue WA 98004. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshment will be served at intermission. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m.

“It will soon be time to say good bye and thank you to our current State Dairy Ambassador Anna Teachman (SeaTac) and State Alternates Juliana LeClair (Mount Vernon) and Claire Leininger (Everson). They have been a pleasure to work with and done a wonderful job representing the Dairy Farmers of Washington,” said Tammi Schoenbachler, state ambassador advisor. “We wish them well as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.”

Tickets ordered by June 12th are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children six and under. Tickets purchased after June 12th or at the door will be adults $25, students $15, and under 6 still free. Tickets will be available for pick up at the door. For ticket information, please contact Gloria Edwards by email at gloria.wsdw@hotmail.com or 360.273.7313.

This program provides a tremendous professional and educational opportunity for young women in Washington State. The young women chosen to serve as Washington’s Ambassadors for Milk receive a generous college scholarship, internships, and extensive communications training.

We have five well qualified contestants representing their local areas:

Rebecca Ford ~ Lewis County: Rebecca Ford is the Lewis County Dairy Ambassador contestant. She is the daughter of John and Rochelle Ford of Chehalis. Rebecca did not grow up on a dairy farm but found her love of dairy while working on a local dairy farm where she milked, fed calves, and assisted with healthcare of the animals. She is very involved in FFA, holding an offer position as well as competing on the state level in several areas. Rebecca is a 2018 graduate of W.F. West High School. Her future plans include earning a degree in Animal Science from Washington State University and continuing her education at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with the goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Agathe Lopez ~ King-Pierce Counties: Agathe Lopez is the King-Pierce Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Michel and Nelly Lopez of Carnation.  Agathe did not grow up on a dairy farm but has always enjoyed being around farming and animals.  She got interested in 4H by watching her friend show dairy cows and helping her at a dairy.  Agathe is now an officer in her 4H club and shows her friend’s dairy cows at local and county fairs.  She graduated from Cedarcrest High School in 2017 and is currently attending Bellevue College to attain her Associates Degree, with plans of attending Pierce College to attain her Veterinary Technician degree.

Ballie Schultz ~ King-Pierce Counties:  Bailie Shultz is the King-Pierce Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Sheila Shultz of Renton.  Bailie did not grow up on a dairy farm, but her grandparents, mom and uncle, are retired dairy farmers and have always encouraged her to keep her connection with dairy. She is a member of 4H, where she now shows dairy heifers and rabbits earning many awards in both.  Bailie is a 2018 graduate of Liberty High School where she is very active in sports and the school newspaper.  Her future plans include attending Oregon State University to attain a degree in Animal Science and Sustainability with the goal of helping farmers and making our world a more sustainable place. 

Jacoba (Cobi) Van Slageren ~ Yakima Valley: Jacoba (Cobi) Van Slageren is the Yakima Valley Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Dirk and Carol Van Slageren of Granger.  Cobi grew up on her family’s dairy farm where she is now a part-time employee.  She has been a member of 4H for the past nine years, completing 9 dairy and 3 market steer projects, winning awards with both at the local fairs and Livestock shows.  Cobi is a 2018 graduate of Sunnyside Christian High School where she was a member of Honors Society, Honors Choir and sports.  Her future plans include attending Dordt College to earn an Elementary Education degree with the goal of teaching elementary school and helping children learn life skills and more about the agricultural community.

Abigail Zurcher ~ Mid-Columbia: Abigail Zurcher is the Mid-Columbia Dairy Ambassador contestant.  She is the daughter of Ed and Heather Zurcher from Mesa.  Growing up on her family’s dairy, Abigail has a passion for agriculture and Dairy.  She is active in 4H and FFA, showing heifers at the county fair and competing in FFA dairy related contests.  Abigail is a 2018 graduate of Connell High School where she was very involved in student government, sports, and was an Honor Roll Recipient.  Her future plans include attending the University of Idaho to major in Elementary Education and teaching kindergarten through third grade students in a small rural school district surrounded by agriculture.

Royal City Dairy Receives Sustainability Award

/ Darcel
Royal Dairy LLC has been owned and operated by Austin Allred since 2015.
In 2017, Royal Dairy installed an energy-efficient water treatment system (Biofiltro BIDA System), transforming the dairy’s wastewater into irrigation-grade water and producing a profitable by-product: high-quality worm castings. Using the system, Royal Dairy recycles 200,000 gallons of water per day with average removal ratings of 97 percent total suspended solids, 93 percent total nitrogen and 90 percent total phosphorous. The dairy is now able to properly dispose of and manage 100 percent of its effluent on 300 acres.
The system is an open-top structure consisting of a layer of wood shavings, river cobble, geotextiles and drainage basins. An irrigation system delivers wastewater, which percolates down through the medias, thereby providing physical filtration. Biological filtration is also provided as the wood shavings are inoculated with an industry-specific mix of worms, microbes and bacteria. The worms burrow through the media in search of larger solids, aerate the media and create new channels for the water to travel through. As the worms digest, they excrete more microbes and bacteria, all of which work together to form a symbiotic and beneficial relationship as a “biofilm,” a robust layer of billions of colonies of microbes and bacteria that grows across all system medias, and captures, retains and digests contaminants.
Austin, his wife, Camille, and two children, Porter, 4, and Adeline, 2, recognize the importance of telling their story to consumers, especially on social media. From videos on Facebook and engaging photos on Instagram, the whole family helps to tell their farming story.