The landscape of animal agriculture is changing rapidly, especially in relation to environmental issues and public policy. At the same time, major investments in research are resulting in new knowledge and tools for sound environmental decision-making. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recognized the need for livestock producers to be aware of these changes and research advancements, and as a result has been participating in a project to develop a comprehensive website and newsletter intended to connect dairy producers and their advisors with experts on water quality issues. The new Livestock and Poultry Environmental (LPE) Learning Center, which is funded through a grant from USDA, is a unique partnership of land grant universities, public, and private organizations involved in animal manure management issues. The Center is an effort to broaden access to information, utilizing existing avenues where possible, and developing innovative delivery methods were needed.

The LPE Learning Center Priority Issues are:

• Alternative Technologies – Assemble information related to manure treatment beyond land application of raw manure or wastes.
• Capturing Manure Value – Pull together resources related to species and location differences in manure, finding and developing new markets, tools for valuing manure, and co-processing with other wastes .
• Integrated Nutrient Management – Assemble resources related to nitrogen management, nutrient management plan (NMP) implementation, and integrated nutrient management (whole farm balance and phosphorus index limits).
• Pathogens and Pharmaceuticals – Gather information related to types of zoonotic pathogens, fate and transport in soils and water, BMP’s for minimizing risks, antibiotic resistance, source tracking, and current pharmaceutical use in livestock production.

The LPE Learning Center will:

• Identify critical or emerging issues
• Coordinate best science-based information for each priority issue
• Develop and test innovative outreach models to disseminate information
• Identify and support existing organizations committed to an outreach mission
• Host a one hour web-cast on the third Friday of every month at 2:30 PM (eastern), 1:30 PM (central), 12:30 (mountain, 11:30 (pacific) to bring national experts and audiences from widely dispersed locations together for educational experiences. The first web-cast will be September 15, 2006. The topics will include a short introduction to the LPE Learning Center
• Develop and disseminate a monthly LPE Newsletters and announcements related to livestock and poultry environmental issues and LPE activities

Action Needed:  

All interested producers should subscribe to the free electronic LPE Newsletter and announcements by visiting the LPE Learning Center website at www.lpe.unl.edu and clicking on subscribe to newsletter and announcements. Interested individuals should also plan on participating in the LPE Learning Center Web-cast series on the third Friday of every month by visiting the LPE Learning Center website and clicking on the webcast series. Plan on participating on the first web-cast on September 15, 2006.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Legislative Director Leroy Watson by e-mail: lwatson@nationalgrange.org by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 114.

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