Environmental Stewardship classes
offered in Hilmar

Free classes are first step for producers interested in certification to receive fee discounts or meet other requirements.

The California Dairy Quality Assurance Program is offering free classes in environmental stewardship. The two-part series of classes (three hours each), known as the Environmental Stewardship Short Course, will be taught by Dr. Deanne Meyer, livestock waste management specialist at the University of California, Davis. The classes total six hours, taught in two, three-hour segments (see schedule). These will be the last classes offered in water quality by CDQAP this spring. For producers interested in certifying their facility, the same person from the dairy facility must attend all six hours of water quality education. Producers can attend all or part of the Short Course to meet the education requirements. The classes cover environmental issues, regulatory requirements and management practices for dairy producers.

Why attend the classes?

*These classes offer “one-stop shopping” with a comprehensive overview of water-quality related environmental regulatory requirements for California dairy producers. The classes provide a straightforward, clear, up-to-date approach to the sometimes confusing world of environmental regulations. Producers completing the classes will better understand the regulatory requirements and how to comply, reducing their risk of facing unnecessary enforcement actions, fines and other penalties. Completion of environmental education classes is also a necessary step for producers desiring to achieve CDQAP Environmental Certification.

To be certified, a producer must:
*Attend environmental stewardship education classes (6 hours of water quality and 2 hours of air quality);
*Create and implement on-farm management plans (these are consistent with requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District for producers in the Central Valley); and

*WORKSHOP Schedule
Tuesday, June 1 (Class 1) and
Wednesday, June 2 (Class 2)
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center
(upstairs)
9001 N. Lander Ave., Hilmar

*You must attend both classes to complete the water quality education
requirement, unless you have previously received credit for attending CDQAP water quality courses.
*Successfully complete an on-site evaluation of the dairy to assure compliance with all environmental regulations. Water quality classes must be completed PRIOR to the on-farm evaluation.

What if I’ve already attended some of the classes in the past?

*Past and partial attendance hours can be credited. Producers who need three or fewer hours of water quality education may attend just one of the two classes offered here. If attending only one class, it is recommended that producers attend the first class because it contains a current regulatory update and other important matters of interest to producers. Producers who have attended previous CDQAP water quality courses and want to check on whether they have completed enough hours may call 530- 574-0524.

What are the benefits of Environmental Certification?

*There are several benefits to certification – the State Water Resources Control Board offers a 50 percent reduction on annual water quality permit fees to Environmentally Certified dairies. Depending on the size of your dairy, this can result in savings of several hundred to several thousand dollars per year.
*In addition, certified dairies are presented with an attractive roadside sign that proclaims the dairy is “Environmentally Certified.” As always, the ultimate benefit is peace of mind for the dairy producer, who will know that he or she has taken concrete steps to assure that the dairy is in compliance with all environmental regulations and therefore is at a greatly reduced risk of facing enforcement action by environmental agencies.

Producers with additional questions can call the CDQAP toll-free, 1-866- 66CDQAP.

Are the classes required by law?

*No. Both class attendance and certification through CDQAP are voluntary (however, your milk processor may require certification as a business requirement).

Dairy Cares Report
April 2010
www.dairycares.com     

New United Nations report: California, U.S.dairies lead world with lowest carbon footprint.

Earlier this month, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAQ) published a report titled, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Dairy Sector – A Life Cycle Analysis.” The report confirmed that dairy families across the United States – and especially right here in California – are leading the way on an important sustainability issue. U.S. dairy farms, including California dairies, have the lowest emissions of climate-changing “greenhouse gases” in the world.

According to the report, American dairy farms emit about 45 percent fewer greenhouse gases per unit of milk produced compared to the global average for dairies. By now, many have heard the story of the progress of dairy farmers in the U.S. in reducing their carbon footprint. Since 1944, thanks to improvements in breeding, cattle care, housing and nutrition, U.S. dairy farmers have reduced the carbon footprint of milk by 63 percent. In the same period, U.S. milk production actually increased by 59 percent, even as the total dairy cattle herd shrank from 25.6 million to 9.3 million cows.

The new FAQ report confirms that this type of progress has vaulted U.S. dairy farmers into the lead on “carbon efficiency.” The FAQ report also provides some important perspective on the carbon footprint of the global dairy industry:
*Dairies in industrialized nations in North America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand have the lowest carbon footprint, with North America lowest of all.
*Dairies in Central and South America and parts of Asia produce three to four times the carbon emissions of North American dairies, while dairies in sub-Saharan Africa produce up to 7 times more emissions.

A 2006 FAO report, “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” estimated that livestock production worldwide – including components such as clearing forests in developing nations for new agricultural land, growing crops for animals, fuel and transportation – is responsible for 18 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unfortunately, this information has been misinterpreted to represent the role of dairy production rather than all livestock. Advocates of plant-based diets or a vegan lifestyle often cite the “Long Shadow” report to inflate the role of dairy in climate change. Fortunately, the new FAO report adds new context to improve the understanding of where dairies fit in globally when it comes to climate change. This new information is also consistent with estimates previously established in California, which put the contribution of greenhouse gasses by California dairies sixteen and fourteen times below the emissions of transportation and energy production respectively.

The good news concerning all this information is that the millions of consumers who depend on the healthy nutrients in milk and love the taste of dairy products now know they are produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. Dairy Cares members remain committed to assuring consumers that they can choose California-produced dairy products with confidence, knowing that they are unsurpassed for quality and environmental sustainability.

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Dairy Cares is a statewide coalition supporting economic and environmental sustainability and responsible animal care. Our members include the Alliance of Western Milk Producers, Bank of the West, Bar 20 Dairy Farms, California Dairies Inc., California Dairy Campaign, California Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Farmers of America-Western Area Council, Dairy Institute of California, Hilmar Cheese Co., HP Hood, Joseph Gallo Farms, Land O ’Lakes, Milk Producers Council, Ruan Transport Corp., Western United Dairymen, and others. For information, visit our web site or call 916-441-3318.