Johnstown bans center-pivot manure sprayers
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JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP — The Johnstown Town Board has passed an ordinance banning center-pivot manure application in the township.
The ordinance is the town's attempt to protect residents from a proposed 5,200-cow dairy farm in nearby Bradford Township, Johnstown Clerk Mary Mawhinney said.
Meanwhile, the Rock County Health Department will use a $10,000 grant to study the potential health impacts such a facility could have, said Tim Banwell, the county's environmental health director.
Nebraska dairy farmer Todd Tuls has applied for local, county and state permits to build a 160-acre facility on Highway 14 at Scharine Road in Bradford Township. The Rock Prairie Dairy would be the largest dairy in Rock or Walworth counties. It would be the fourth largest in the state.
Tuls operates two farms that house 10,000 cows in eastern Nebraska.
The Johnstown Town Board unanimously approved the ordinance change Monday, Jan. 17, Mawhinney said. Town board Chairman Dennis Logterman was absent but supports the ordinance, she said.
The ordinance bans the use of center-pivot irrigation systems to apply wastewater onto fields. Tuls has proposed using such systems to pump wastewater out of his manure-storage lagoons and onto growing crops.
Tuls' proposal includes center-pivot application on 479 acres in Johnstown Township as well as 1,149 acres in Bradford and Darien townships.
Tuls has contracted a total of 5,270 acres for waste application. In addition to the center-pivot system, he proposes to inject liquid waste into the soil on some fields and spread solid waste on others.
Center-pivot application is not common in Wisconsin, although it is widely used in Western states. Wastewater is pumped off the top of manure storage lagoons after most—but not all—of the manure solids have settled to the bottom. The manure water is sprayed onto growing crops.
This method of manure application has "a large potential for significant odor," according to a University of Nebraska pamphlet cited in Johnstown's ordinance.
However, Tuls said it allows him to apply small amounts of waste on a regular basis rather than trying to empty his lagoons twice a year.
The town did not need to hold a public hearing because no new ordinance was created. Instead, the town wrote the ban on center-pivot manure application into its existing nuisance ordinance.
The change has gotten many positive response from residents, Mawhinney said.
"The amount of calls we've gotten from residents saying ‘thank you' has amazed me," she said.
The town of Johnstown isn't the only newcomer into the Rock Prairie Dairy debate.
The county health department will add another layer of governmental oversight to the project and will focus on possible impacts to the public's health, Banwell said.
The county department in November landed a $10,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to study the proposed Rock Prairie Dairy. The goal is not to prevent development but to try to make it compatible with the community, Banwell said.
"We might not eliminate all the problems, but we might make it more compatible," Banwell said.
Health department staff will study the facility's proposed groundwater protection plans and surface water runoff prevention as well as research the possible economic impacts of the proposed farm, Banwell said. Staff members already have read Tuls' application documents and will talk to Magnolia Township residents about problems they might have had with Larson Acres, the largest dairy farm in Rock County to date.
The health department could make recommendations on the Rock Prairie Dairy facility while construction is under way, Banwell said.
He expects health department staff members to make a report in early April.
Tuls expects to break ground in March. He does not need to have all his permits approved before breaking ground.
CITIZENS ORGANIZATION
The town of Johnstown and the Rock County Health Department aren't the only groups joining the debate about the proposed Rock Prairie Dairy.
A group of citizens is organizing in opposition to the farm. The group's goal is "to maintain a healthy living environment and quality of life for people in Rock County and the area the farm is going to be in," said spokesman Tom Boswell of Evansville.
The group is concerned about the proposed dairy's potential impact on drinking water quality, air quality, local property values and the fertile soil of the Rock Prairie, Boswell said.
The group has had a few meetings so far, and more will be scheduled, Boswell said.
To learn more, call Boswell at (608) 882-0758 or e-mail him at tomboswell2002@yahoo.com. Or call Dwight Brass at 608-346-3382 or e-mail him at Janicen2@FastMail.fm.
Jan 28, 2011 at 10:39 a.m.
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Dwight- Are you hoping to sell Tuls land? Or have you already done so?
Jan 26, 2011 at 10:10 p.m.
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Although there will still be a need for people with knowledge of livestock, producers exiting the business will have opportunities to stay involved as barn janitors for large industrial operations only if they are willing to perform duties for wages being offered to workers from other areas or countries. Vast amounts of feed supplies will be garnered locally if producers are willing to accept prices offered that will be competitive with other outside sources. Contract growers who agree to jump through the hoops dictated by corporate Ag entities will be rewarded with vast amounts of liquid nutrients in their quest to be a part of modern agriculture and be buddies with the "Biggest of the Big".
The Blocks of Pearl City IL., should easily recall what it feels like when your milk marketer calls you and 80 or so other local dairy farmers and states, we dont need your milk anymore. Berner Foods did not close their doors-they simply did what was in the best economic interest, who cares if you throw a few locals under the bus in the process.
Jan 26, 2011 at 12:06 p.m.
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Ezoner- I know plenty of Organic Valley
operations that are getting paid a great price- 24 dollars a hundred wt. for their milk. For 3 winter months they get an extra 3 bucks a gallon to keep the milk flowing. They do not use pesticides, so that farmer spends less to operate. MORE FARMERS EQUAL MORE JOBS. More farmers stimulate the economy and local business. The organic market is growing and there is room for the operations that wish to comply to that standard. You spend less money to go organic than to go industrial. It is an obtainable goal (still) for the traditional family farm. Industrial farms= less farmers.Todd Tuls money will go out of state.1 Todd Tuls= 45-50 small dairy farmers. 45-50 small dairy farms= more jobs.
Jan 26, 2011 at 10:38 a.m.
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tequila -- wheres the solution you offer.. Or are you only anti-business, anti -growth. Either offer solutions or get out of the way.
Jan 26, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
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No personal stake at all. I used to live in the area, but now live and work in the public sector in the Milwaukee area - completely unrelated to agri-business or anything to do with the operation.
Jan 26, 2011 at 9:21 a.m.
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Ezoner- Methane digesters are not the environmental cure all.They only remove methane gas.This process actually concentrates the hydrogen sulfide and the ammonia gases.You will have less solids, but definitely lots of liquid manure still. All bacteria does not vanish and re-multiplies with time in storage... A municipal waste treatment plant for a population of 125,000 just for the Tuls operation is the only responsible solution.
You are right about Dwight-
The common denominator from state to state is the "What's in it for me?" mentality. So Dwight , whut's in it fer ya? Let me guess- you are under a Tuls manure contract? Oh wait, you are a membrane liner salesman or better yet the geo-membrane cover dude...No - the genius who designed the center pivots!
Design a sewage treatment plant(municiple type) for a population of 125,000 for the cow manure- you can put a digester on that too.
The what's in it for me guys hate me because I am not- for - profit...NO POLLUTION VICTIMS LEFT BEHIND.
Jan 26, 2011 at 7:23 a.m.
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What some of you are missing is the primary point that people are out of work and here is someone that is expanding and offering a chance at a job. Industry that actually should be welcome in WI. The handouts I am talking about are the ones that people are accepting for unemployment, foodstamps, and other entitlements.
So -- what I like is instead of regulating out the expansin and creating an anti-busines environment, is the suggestion of a digestor. Offer solutions, not just rejection. Offer ideas that promote business expansion and development. Just cheering on regulation does not provide a pro-growth environment.
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:33 p.m.
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Me thinks Dwight has a personal stake in this operation ....am I right Dwight?
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:10 p.m.
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Dwight- You and the DNR are drinking from the same glass of nitrate water. Are you Farm Bureau or a paid lobbyist?
If you are not living with a pivot sprayer by your property, it makes little difference how smart you think you are ...or your background.
Even a dog knows not to poop where it sleeps and eats.
Let the good citizens enjoy their property without a mega dairy near them. They were there first.
You are so impressed with all Tuls is offering- seek out a "like" operation and relocate so you can marvel at the "state of the art"engineering and manure management.Bet you can find a real cheap piece of realestate living that close.
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:53 p.m.
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Where did I say anybody would want to move Dwight???
I just said they should be offered the opportunity to sell to Tuls..that's all.
What's wrong with that?
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:48 p.m.
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OK Dwight... expert that you propose to be ..you can ask the property owners about their concerns personally...and unequivocally offer to remedy their concerns...and there will be no problems...right man?...just like I said...like a good neighbor...Todd Tuls (and Dwight) is there...LOL
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:43 p.m.
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Call me a DNR skeptic, but that may be a little bit of oversell on the pivot sprayer. UW Extension has a link to manure odor control techniques, and it gives a laundry list of design management considerations for low pressure drop nozzle systems, including; diluting w/ proper fresh water ratios, having a backflow protection system in place so effluent (manure) doesn't contaminate fresh water well, not placing the pivot downwind of neighbors based on prevailing winds, installation of a weather station that monitors wind direction & speed, automatically shuts down when wind blows towards neighbors, automatic shut down when wind speeds are under 5mph because odor plumes extend much further under low wind speed conditions, irrigate only during morning and afternoon hours, and finally, maintaining accurate records in case neighbors complain.
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Still ready to place your faith in an out of state developer w/ this many opportunities for things to go wrong? And we're only talking about pivot sprayers here, haven't even gotten to pipe failures and lagoon breaches yet. (Here's the link if you're interested)
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http://www.extension.org/main/search?cx=...
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:42 p.m.
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Having a local digester would be a fantastic idea!
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:31 p.m.
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Why is there not any talk of a manure digester to generate clean energy from cows like the one that just started operation in Dane County?
www.channel3000.com/news/26164277/detail...
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:09 p.m.
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And who is to define "affected"? Is it catching an occasional whiff considered "affected"? The DNR analysis states that technologies they plan on using will reduce odor up to 90%. Come on, get real.
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:06 p.m.
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All of it. Who says any neighbors would want to move?
Jan 25, 2011 at 9:02 p.m.
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So, Dwight...what part of my 8:33PM post do you disagree with?
Jan 25, 2011 at 8:53 p.m.
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Directly from the DNR analysis...
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Based on studies conducted at hog farms which utilized top-mounted spray nozzles and end guns, the Department expressed some concern that the proposed center pivot application of manure water would create strong odors during applications. The center pivots at Rock Prairie Dairy will utilize variable rate, low pressure drop nozzles, positioned approximately 36 inches from the ground surface, which will dramatically reduce odor from land applications.
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This center pivot application method is expected to result in less odor generation than traditional application methods. Center pivot applications also have the potential to significantly reduce the runoff potential because nutrients will be applied throughout the growing season in smaller doses instead of twice per year, and nutrients will be applied during the hot, dry months when soil and crop needs are greatest.
Jan 25, 2011 at 8:52 p.m.
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The center pivot irrigators sit 36 inches off the ground and slowly drizzle the manure onto crops. They aren't the irrigators that shoot the water way into the air.
Jan 25, 2011 at 8:44 p.m.
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Tuls and his people can live 30 miles away like they do in Nebraska. Johnstown and Bradford Township FIGHT! Don't you dare hold your breath and drink bad water so some guy can make cheap milk and put the smaller dairies under! Tuls proposal is insulting and demeaning to these good people who live here. DO NOT let anyone here get stuck in a bad polluted existence. NO DISPOSABLE POPULATION! No one should ever be forced from their home...
Jan 25, 2011 at 8:33 p.m.
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The easiest and best way for Tuls to become a good neighbor is to offer to buy at fair market value....any property affected by his proposed operation.
After all... if it won't hurt them...it won't hurt him.
Like a good neighbor Todd Tuls is there....
Jan 25, 2011 at 8 p.m.
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+1 I completely agree with you reddogg. The fact that the people who have probably lived in this area for years and will now have to deal with the environmental problems brought on by this farm as well as deal with the stink on a regular basis is really unfortunate. Their property values have to take a serious hit as well, as I can't imagine anyone wanting to move into this area after this "farm" gets up and running. It will be interesting to see where the Tuls and the people brought in to run this farm build/buy their residences.......I can't imagine they would want to live close to this mess especially considering they will be working in it all day......
Jan 25, 2011 at 7:29 p.m.
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Are you really going with the NIMBY argument, Ezoner? So, if you're not supposed to look out for or care about your own back yard, who do you expect will? A better question though is, why would you NOT want to look out for your own back yard? Factory farms bring with them substantial risk, and according to you, neighbors who have to live with the risk are supposed to just accept it for the better good. Well, not me. I've got an idea though, just let everyone know your address and tell Tuls to come on down and move in a few hundred feet from you, because that's what the LSL setback is. (You might want to let your neighbors know about your gracious invitation though)
You said you were 'tired of government handouts'? Go to this website & see who see who got close to $300k in Govt. handouts over the last 10 years in Shelby County and Rising City Nebraska.
http://farm.ewg.org/addrsearch.php?s=yup...
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:55 a.m.
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Personally -- I am sick and tired of people wanting government handouts, no corportae growth, nothing in my back yard type attitudes.
Wisconsin has a tremendous asset in its farmland and to not take advantage of the additional revenue, jobs and growth is very short sighted. It soundslike a bunch of people saying NIMBY.
Jan 25, 2011 at 10:46 a.m.
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Johnstown & Bradford Township .... FIGHT!
HOMES informational meeting-“When a Mega Dairy Comes in”, is being held at the Clock Tower Resort in Rockford IL. on Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. Featured speakers will be:
John E. Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Since retiring from the University in early 2000, Ikerd spends most of his time writing and speaking out on issues related to sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on the economics of sustainability. John has published several books including, Sustainable Capitalism: A Matter of Common Sense, Small Farms are Real Farms: Sustaining People Through Agriculture, Return to Common Sense, Crisis and Opportunity: Sustainability in American Agriculture.
Daniel Imhoff is the editor of The CAFO Reader: The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories and the photo-format companion volume, CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation): The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories. He is a writer and independent publisher whose many books include Food Fight, Farming with the Wild, Paper or Plastic, Building with Vision, and Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature.
Open to the public, free admission
www.stopthemegadairy.org
Jan 24, 2011 at 7:15 p.m.
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I don't believe the township rejected the power plant - it ultimately wasn't their decision. There were two sites being discussed, Johnstown township and Christiana township; and the power company chose one over the other.
Jan 24, 2011 at 6:10 p.m.
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Very sensible decision, and I congratulate the board on it.
"We might not eliminate all the problems." Okay, I get it. Tuls gets the profits from the proposed operation and area residents are stuck with the problems.
Jan 24, 2011 at 5:56 p.m.
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Isn't this the same township that a few years ago rejected a power plant that would have brought in thousands of dollars in tax revenue?
Jan 24, 2011 at 4:58 p.m.
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Interesting. the center-pivot irrigation method would limit or completely eliminate any manure sitting on the surface by applying it in small quantities over a long period of time. If Tuls empties his lagoons twice a year, all the manure will go in simultaneously and won't allow the manure to infiltrate the soil as it would being applied more slowly.
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Why do people use sprinklers on their lawns and landscaping instead of dumping gallons of water on at one time? Smaller amounts applied over a longer period of time infiltrate the soil easier and more evenly.
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Yes, Johnstown, you might eliminate some smell, but if you are truly concerned about potential environmental problems, the center-pivot method is significantly more friendly.
Jan 24, 2011 at 4:34 p.m.
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It sounds like this is a pretty crappy place to start a business (in my opinion).
Would the odor be worse than the odor of human waste I smell on Hwy A just west of Johnstown? I suspect they dump septic waste there.
I think center-pivot irrigation systems to apply waste water onto fields is a great idea if done right, but we'll never know because the knee-jerk reactionaries have a hold of this country.
How will people be able to enjoy any life, let alone a quality life if there is no food?
The population isn't going down as far as I can tell.
Away we go!..............
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