New State General Permits
The Certificate of Coverage (COC) for the new swine general permit should be going out in the mail to you by September 30th. Please note that you are covered under your existing permit (COC) until such time as you receive the new one. Once you receive your new COC, please take the time to read it carefully as there are some changes and new requirements. As for the record-keeping forms, there have been no changes in the form, so the forms you are currently using can continue to be used with the new COC.
The following is a list of the key changes in the new COC that you need to give particular attention:
- Condition I.5: Phosphorous assessment may be required for facilities in watersheds sensitive to nutrient enrichment. The old permit may have required PLAT statewide, now it is limited to sensitive watersheds.
- Condition II.2: No waste shall be applied upon areas where a crop is insufficient for nutrient utilization. This applies to areas with crop losses or failures.
- Condition II.7: Sludge applied to bare soils must be incorporated within two days or prior to the next rainfall event, whichever occurs first. There had always been a two day limit, but now you must consider weather and incorporate before a rainfall.
- Conditions II.17 and III.1: Routine inspections following a one-inch rainfall and during waste applications shall also include visual inspection of drain outlets, ditches and drainage ways for any discharge of waste. This is NOT a new requirement, just added specifics to make the requirement clear.
- Condition II.22: Hurricane/Tropical Storm related - Land application of waste shall cease within four (4) hours of the time that the National Weather Service issues a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning or a Flood Watch associated with a tropical system including a hurricane, tropical storm or tropical depression for the county in which the permitted facility is located. This condition also covers the prohibition to apply waste during a precipitation event as was stated in you current COC. The new requirement in this section applies to hurricanes and tropical storm events.
- Condition II.27: Allowance to temporarily lower lagoon levels below the stop pump in accordance with NRCS Standard 359. This has previously been allowed, but this is the first time it has been stated in the permit.
- Condition III.9: Additional sampling requirement of waste source in the event of a discharge of waste that reaches the waters of the state.
- Condition III.19: Lagoons must be brought back into compliance with regard to sludge levels within two years if sludge accumulation exceeds criteria in NRCS Standard 359. The old permit required compliance by end of permit cycle. New requirement is compliance within two years.
- Condition V.8: Modification to system, including the addition of lagoon covers, will require a permit modification. The condition is to make clear that by modifying or changing a system, which will change the nature of the waste, a permit modification would need to be requested.
Should you need any additional information or assistance as you review your new permit, please feel free to contact Tommy Stevens, Director of Environmental Services at the North Carolina Pork Council at 919-781-0361.
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USDA On-Farm Action Plan Announced  for Novel 2009 H1N1
Through a combined effort of state and federal animal health officials and pork producers, a comprehensive on-farm plan has been created to keep the pork industry moving as normal even if a U.S. herd is suspected or confirmed as being infected with the novel 2009 H1N1 virus.
Through a combined effort of state and federal animal health officials and pork producers, a comprehensive on-farm plan has been created to keep the pork industry moving as normal even if a U.S. herd is suspected or confirmed as being infected with the novel 2009 H1N1 virus.
The plan addresses surveillance and actions recommended when novel H1N1 is confirmed. In these cases state animal health officials remain the primary source of reliable information regarding novel H1N1 in swine in their respective states and will be critical to the plan's successful implementation. Under this plan, the herd veterinarian will work with the state animal health official and the pork producer to monitor animals for illness. When the herd veterinarian has determined the animals have recovered, or under direction of the state animal health official, pigs would be allowed to move freely through production and market channels.
"This plan of action is an important step to ensure the best possible outcome for producers, pigs and consumers," said Dr. Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology for the Pork Checkoff. "It strengthens the already-strong relationship the pork industry has with state and federal animal health officials, which will allow us to act quickly if the novel H1N1 virus is detected at the farm level. In addition, the plan will allow recovered pigs to move through production and market channels, which should reassure producers at this time."
Producers should continue to work with their veterinarian to implement strict biosecurity protocols to prevent possible transmission of the novel H1N1 virus onto their farms. With good surveillance, close cooperation between all interested parties and adherence to strict biosecurity, the pork industry is prepared to effectively manage and resolve novel H1N1 infections in U.S. swine while protecting both public and animal health.
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 Ban on sow stalls on horizon in Michigan
Michigan is poised to become the next state to adopt a ban on certain farm animal housing systems, including sow gestation stalls.
The state's pork industry supports the proposed law and expects the legislation, which was approved by a wide 87-20 margin in the House, to also win easy approval in the Senate.
"We wanted to avoid the negative implications and uncertainty that a ballot measure might bring," said Sam Hines, executive vice president of the Michigan Pork Producers Assn. (MPPA).
The pork group met with representatives of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to craft the proposal following indications that Michigan was being considered for an initiative petition drive similar to ones that have already succeeded in Florida, Arizona and California.
The measure will give pork producers 10 years to phase out gestation stalls. Egg farmers will have to eliminate battery cages under the same time line, while veal producers have a shorter period to stop using crates.
The Michigan proposal is very similar to the law Colorado adopted in 2008, Hines said. Producers will still be able to use stalls for breeding purposes up until the time it is confirmed that a sow is pregnant. The legislation does not affect the use of farrowing stalls. Violation of the law calls for a civil penalty, unlike the misdemeanor contained in the law passed in California.
For more information about this proposed legislation, including a letter sent to Michigan producers by the state association, visit the Michigan Pork Producers Association website.
Credits: FeedStuffs Foodlink
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 Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities
Wildlife and Water Quality on NC Swine Farm: 2.00 Hours Credit
10/01/2009 - 4:00 PM
Ammon Community Center, Garland
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
Lenoir County Field Day, AM: 3.00 Hours Credit
10/06/2009 - 09:00 AM
M.D. Smith / Ken Rouse Farm
Contact: Eve Honeycutt 252-747-5831
Lenoir County Field Day, PM: 3.00 Hours Credit
10/06/2009 - 01:00 PM
M.D. Smith / Ken Rouse Farm
Contact: Eve Honeycutt 252-747-5831
Rockingham County AW Continuing Ed
Classes: 3.00 Hours Credit
10/07/2009 - 02:00 PM
Rockingham Co Ag Ctr, Reidsville
Contact: Ben Chase 800-666-3625
**PRE-REGISTER BY Sept 30 OR CLASS MAY BE CANCELLED**
Maintenance & Winterization of a Center Pivot: 1.00 Hours Credit
10/09/2009 - 02:30 PM
Duplin County Farm
Contact: Wanda Hargrove 910-296-2143
**PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Maintenance & Winterization of a Traveling Gun & Reel: 1.00 Hours Credit
10/09/2009 - 03:45 PM
Duplin County Farm
Contact: Wanda Hargrove 910-296-2143
**PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Waste Application Equipment Calibration Training: 4.00 Hours Credit
10/13/2009 - 01:00 PM
Gary MacGibbon Dairy, Crouse NC (Lincoln County)
Contact: Lara L. Worden 704-922-2118
Greene County Field Day, AM: 3.00 Hours Credit
10/13/2009 - 09:00 AM
Greene County CES Center, Snow Hill
Contact: Eve Honeycutt 252-747-5831
Greene County Field Day, PM: 3.00 Hours Credit
10/13/2009 - 01:00 PM
Greene County CES Center, Snow Hill
Contact: Eve Honeycutt 252-747-5831
Guilford County AW Continuing Ed Classes: 3.00 Hours Credit
10/13/2009 - 06:30 PM
Guilford Co Ag Ctr, Greensboro
Contact: Ben Chase 800-666-3625
**PRE-REGISTER BY OCT 6 OR CLASS MAY BE CANCELLED**
2009 Southeast Regional Pork Conference- Session One: 3.00 Hours Credit
11/19/2009 - 09:00 AM
Jones Co Civic Center, Trenton
**PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Contact: Eve Honeycutt 252-527-2191
2009 Southeast Regional Pork Conference - Session Two: 3.00 Hours Credit
11/19/2009 - 12:45 PM
Jones Co Civic Center, Trenton
**PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Contact: Eve Honeycutt 252-527-2191
Wilson Area Pork Conference: 6.00 Hours Credit
11/20/2009 - 10:00AM
Sampson County Exposition Center in Clinton
Contact: Dan Bailey 910-592-7161
Bladen County Animal Waste Classes -Session One: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/01/2009 - 10:00 AM
Bladen County CES Center, Elizabethtown
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
Bladen County Animal Waste Classes - Session Two: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/01/2009 - 01:00 PM
Bladen County CES Center, Elizabethtown
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
Bladen County Animal Waste Classes - Session Three: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/01/2009 - 03:00 PM
Bladen County CES Center, Elizabethtown
Contact: Becky Spearman 910-862-4591
TBA: 6:00 Hours Credit
12/07/2009 - 9:00AM
Duplin County Cooperative Extension Office
Contact: Amanda Hatcher 910-296-2143
Robeson County Animal Waste Classes - Session One: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/08/2009 - 10:00 AM
Robeson County CES Center, Lumberton
Contact: Michelle Shooter 910-671-3276
Robeson County Animal Waste Classes - Session Two: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/08/2009 - 01:00 PM
Robeson County CES Center, Lumberton
Contact: Michelle Shooter 910-671-3276
Roberson County Animal Waste Classes - Session Three: 2.00 Hours Credit
12/08/2009 - 03:00 PM
Robeson County CES Center, Lumberton
Contact: Michelle Shooter 910-671-3276
Pitt County CEC Training: 3.00 Hours Credit
12/09/2009 - 02:00 PM
Pitt County Ag Center, Greenville
Contact: Phillip Rowan 252-902-1703 | |
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2009 Pork Chop Shop at the NC State Fair
Sign up for your shift at the Pork Chop Shop!
Click here to access a printable flyer, sign up sheet, map and link to the NC State Fair website. |
News from WashingtonFind out what's going on in Washington that affects the pork industry. Click here to keep up to date on NPPC's press releases. | |
