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Grass & Grain, March 3, 2009 Page 17 EPA says farm dust open to regulation KLA Young Stockmen’s DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nothing now face the daunting task of proving a don’t look at a particular industry. The Academy meets in Topeka says summer in Iowa like a cloud of negative — that the dust is not harm- goal is to protect public health.’’ When dust behind a combine. But what may ful. counties reach ``non-attainment’’ lev- A group of 20 young producers from across the state met be a fact of life for farmers is a cause Formica said his and other groups els, it becomes a state’s responsibility in Topeka this month for the first installment of the 2009 for concern to federal regulators, who will consider a further appeal. to bring the county back into accept- Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Young Stockmen’s are refusing to exempt growers from Farmers said they will be hard- able levels. Academy (YSA). Fort Dodge Animal Health is partnering new environmental regulations. pressed to meet the standards. Milbourn said various options exist with the association to host these members for an in-depth It’s left some farmers feeling be- In a letter sent Wednesday to the for states, such as retrofitting buses look into KLA and the cattle business. The class will partic- mused and more than a little frustrat- EPA, Grassley wrote that compliance that run on diesel engines. ipate in four seminars throughout the year, which will be ed. ``It’s such a non-commonsense idea would be impossible because of the But farmers insist the regulation held in various locations across Kansas. that you can keep dust within a prop- dust produced in farmers’ day-to-day will affect their operations and even- erty line when the wind blows,’’ said activities. Grassley also has noted that tually their bottom lines. And they During the first session, attendees were exposed to the Sen. Charles Grassley, a member of the because many rural roads are not said unlike fixing a bus, they have few legislative process, media and services provided by KLA. Senate Agriculture Committee who paved, particulate readings could be options for limiting dust from their Spokesperson training, presented by KLA staff and WIBW- still farms in northeast Iowa. affected by wind gusts that constantly fields and roads. Topeka farm broadcasters Kelly Lenz and Greg Akagi, high- Under rules imposed in 2006, rural change. Roger Zylstra, a director with the lighted the importance of taking advantage of opportunities areas would be kept to the same stan- ``After all, God decides when the Iowa Corngrowers Association, said if to convey a positive message on behalf of the agriculture in- dards as urban areas for what the En- wind blows, not Chuck Grassley,’’ he left alone, farmers can compete world- dustry. As part of the presentation, the group was provided vironmental Protection Agency calls said. wide. But regulation could impede ``coarse particulate matter’’ in the air. But the EPA said the regulation was their success. interview tips and techniques. Attendees visited KLA head- The American Farm Bureau Feder- overdue. He said there seems to be a discon- quarters and participated in a financial planning seminar, led ation and the National Pork Producers Every five years, the Clean Air Act nect between farmers and policymak- by Kennedy and Coe, LLC, that focused on debt manage- Council had petitioned the govern- requires the agency to review the ers. ment and planning for the future of the family business. In ment to provide an exemption to farm- newest scientific information and rec- ``Many of the people that are mak- addition, the class had the opportunity to visit the Capitol ers. They argued that evidence of harm ommend changes to its standards. ing the rules, it feels like they really and attended a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting. At- caused by dust in rural areas hasn’t EPA spokeswoman Cathy Milbourn don’t know what (farming) issues are,’’ tendees also took part in KLA’s legislative meeting, where been determined. said the changes are not just a matter said Zylstra, a Lynnville resident who But the U.S. District Court of Ap- of regulating dust. They serve the pub- has worked on a farm for 35 years. Zyl- they and other members determined positions on individual peals in Washington ruled Tuesday lic’s well-being and, regardless of stra said it’s hard not to get frustrated. bills under consideration by the Kansas Legislature that the EPA had already provided the whether someone lives in a rural or ``We think we’ve met the demands The Kansas Beef Council (KBC) provided information on evidence necessary to determine farm urban area, the threshold for unsafe that have been put upon us and lo and how checkoff dollars are used to develop and market new dust ``likely is not safe.’’ levels of dust in the air must remain behold, we have new and even more products that have helped increase beef demand. KBC staff Michael Formica, a lawyer for the consistent nationally. stringent demands. It seems really un- also explained efforts to educate consumers about the bene- pork council, said this means farmers ``It’s health-based,’’ she said. ``We realistic.’’ fits of eating beef. The 2009 class includes Paige Alexander, Satanta; Chris Kansas Junior Swine Producer Day March 21 at K-State Boyd, Isabel; Sharon Breiner, Manhattan; Parry Briggs, Em- The 2009 Kansas Junior stock specialist with K- than $500 in prizes. The swine skillathon, nutrition poria; Clint Bryant, Arkansas City; Travis Bryant, Penokee; Swine Producer Day will State Research and Exten- cost to attend this year’s know-how, showing like a Kyle Casey, Leoti; Garet Farney, Sterling; Brandon Green- be March 21 in Weber sion. “This educational Junior Swine Producer pro, and three experience- wood, Wamego; Abbie Grossnicklaus, Mound City; Spencer Arena at the Kansas event is hands-on and Day is $10 for registrations related breakout ses- Jacobs, Manhattan; Trisha Janssen, Geneseo; Derik State University main cam- highly interactive. We’re received by March 12 and sions. Klaassen, Newton; Tiffany Lee, Leavenworth; Mitch Mayer, pus. hoping to stimulate enthu- $15 thereafter. All partici- More information and Alma; Elissa Mullinix, El Dorado; Clem Neely, Chanute; The day is for more than siasm, as well as provide a pants will receive a show- registration forms are Erik Peterson, Lindsborg; Caleb Strauss, Junction City; and youth of all ages. Parents, foundation in the man- pig information booklet, a available on the K-State Andrew Sylvester, Wamego. swine project leaders and agement and care of T-shirt and complimentary Department of Animal Sci- other adults can also at- youth swine projects,” lunch. ences and Industry web- The second installment of the YSA class will be held in tend to increase their DeRouchey said. In addi- The day’s presenta- site at http://www.youth July. Members will tour operations representing various seg- knowledge and abilities, tion, the day will feature tion topics will include: se- livestock.ksu.edu or (785) ments of the Kansas beef industry. More information about said Joel DeRouchey, live- giveaways that total more lecting a youth project, 532-1264 YSA can be found at www.kla.org. COMM. CATTLE AUCTION MANHATTAN CO.INC. EVERY FRIDAY 1-800-834-1029 STARTING 10:00 A.M. ON CULL COWS Toll-Free FOLLOWED BY STOCKER FEEDERS — 11:00 A.M. OFFICE PHONE 785-776-4815 • OWNERS MERVIN SEXTON & JOHN CLINE For our sale Friday, Feb. 27 steers and heifers Lonnie Valburg Holton 8 blk hfrs 506 @ 100.00 Kirby Zimmerman Alta Vista 1 blk cow 790 @ 73.00 suitable for grass were selling at fully steady Charles Rickel Mayetta 1 char cow 1045 @ 61.00 FEEDER HEIFERS — 550-850 LBS. Bruce Chambers Alma 1 herf cow 995@2 60.50 prices. Stocker feeder steers were selling at $3 Marvin Teske Wheaton 7 blk hfrs 585 @ 100.00 Mike Wulf Blaine 1 blk cow 1190 @ 48.00 to $4 higher while the heifers were selling $1 to Mark Steele Morrill 14 blk hfrs 580 @ 99.75 Hess Ranch Alma 1 blk cow 1450 @ 42.75 $2 higher. Quality and condition played a big Lonnie Valburg Holton 31 blk hfrs 596 @ 98.50 Janet & Loring Kufahl Tr Wheaton 1 blk cow 1185 @ 42.00 Mark Steele Morrill 16 blk hfrs 703 @ 92.25 Dale Steinlage Corning 1 hol cow 1290 @ 40.75 factor in the selling price. Cull cows were sell- Kevin & Max Turnbull Vliets 9 cross hfrs 570 @ 91.50 ing $2 higher on the kind offered. Following is a R&R Suther Farm Westmoreland 12 blk hfrs 676 @ 89.50 Dave Nichols Manhattan 1 blk cow 1485 @ 40.25 Jack Austin Manhattan 1 char cow 1320 @ 40.00 partial listing. Kevin & Max Turnbull Vliets 7 cross hfrs 709 @ 84.50 Adams Ranch Maple Hill 69 blk hfrs 734 2 84.00 Gene Ruthstrom Leonardville 1 blk cow 1235 @ 39.75 Adams Ranch Maple Hill 60 mix hfrs 802 @ 81.60 Ron Say Alta Vista 1 blk cow 1290 @ 35.25 STEER CALVES — 400-550 LBS. William Parsons Tonganoxie 6 blk hfrs 800 @ 81.00 Richard Budenbender Frankfort 9 blk strs 440 @ 119.00 Lonnie Valburg Holton 8 blk strs 472 @ 118.50 BULLS SPECIAL STOCK COW SALE Lonnie Valburg Holton 9 blk strs 532 @ 117.50 Cedar Creek Farms Morrill 1 blk bull 2340 @ 56.75 William Parsons Tonganoxie 8 blk strs 521 @ 114.50 Bruce Chambers Alma 1 herf bull 2330 @ 52.25 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 Glenn Atwood Harveyville 12 hol strs 548 @ 65.00 COWS & HEIFERETTES —850-1,500 LBS.

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