News
CAFO workshops, webconferences planned in Wisconsin

June 18, 2008 – Individuals
involved with seeking and securing permits for growing livestock
operations are invited to attend Confined Animal Feeding Operation
(CAFO) workshops and webconferences being held across Wisconsin during
June and July.

June 18, 2008 – Individuals involved with seeking and securing permits for growing livestock operations are invited to attend Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) workshops and webconferences being held across Wisconsin during June and July.

The events are organized by the Dairy Business Association, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and University of Wisconsin Extension.

Large-scale livestock operators, consultants, engineers and other related parties are encouraged to attend these workshops and webconferences that will target current Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit holders as well as livestock operators planning to apply for a state water quality permit. Any livestock operation planning to grow beyond 700 dairy cows, 1,000 beef cattle or 2,500 hogs must apply for a WPDES permit.

“We are pleased to work with the DNR, DATCP and UW Extension to present these educational sessions designed to provide an in-depth look at the regulations and permit requirements for expanding livestock operations,” said Laurie Fischer, executive director of the Dairy Business Association.  “Our goal is to work together to drive Wisconsin’s economy by helping train producers, engineers and consultants on how to submit the information needed to obtain WPDES permits, spec plan approvals and environmental assessments.
 
“These workshops and webconferences will provide dialogue between livestock operations and regulating agencies, and these vital conversations are made possible by funding that U.S. Senator Herb Kohl helped to secure for DBA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help grow Wisconsin animal agriculture in an environmentally sound manner,” said Fischer.  

For more details on the workshops and webconferences, visit http://conservationtraining.uwex.edu and click on the “CAFO” tab.

2008 CAFO Workshops

• Green Bay – June 23, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Green Bay – Stadium, 2785 Ramada Way, (Oneida St Exit – US 41)
• Johnson Creek – June 24, Comfort Suites, 725 Paradise Lane, (located right off of Interstate by Johnson Creek Outlet Mall)
• Eau Claire – July 8, Best Western Trail Lodge, 3340 Mondovi Road. Early Registration Deadline: 5 pm July 1.
• Richland Center – July 9, Ramada Inn, 1450 Veterans Drive. Early Registration Deadline: 5 pm July 2.

2008 CAFO Web Conferences

A series of four three-hour web conferences (9 a.m. to noon) will be held in July to assist WPDES permit holders and other producers, applicants, consultants and agency staff understand the detailed requirements and expectations of each subject area.

Focus topics and dates are:

• Livestock Siting, Friday July 18.
• Applying for a WPDES Permit, Friday July 25
• Submittal of Plans and Specs for CAFO projects, Wednesday July 30
• CAFO Nutrient Management Plans, Thursday July 31

Participants will be able to view presentations in each of the following locations: Appleton, Baldwin, Barron, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, La Crosse, Neillsville, Madison, Manitowoc, Platteville, and Wausau.