Thursday, March 12, 2015

IBA Announces Environmental Consulting Service



New member benefit provides assistance on various farm specific issues.

Members of Illinois Beef Association (IBA) now have a new membership benefit available  - a consulting service, which will assist with various issues that confront their farms.

IBA has retained the services of Ted Funk, a licensed professional engineer and former University of Illinois (U of I) agricultural engineering professor, to visit individual farms by request of producer members. IBA will share in the cost of this confidential professional service. Examples of assistance include:

  • Identifying areas of the farm facility or manure handling system that might be out of compliance with environmental regulations or could potentially cause problems with water quality or odor concerns

  • Basic review of the farm’s manure nutrient management plan to help identify parts that need to be updated or improved

  • Assist producers in providing a response to a regulatory agency’s visit or written notice or help in preparation of an upcoming visit

  • Suggest areas where the farm might begin or expand work with a Technical Service Provider or other consultant
“Beef producers are committed to environmental responsibility in every aspect on our farms,” said Alan Adams, a LaSalle County cattleman and current IBA president. “We take a number of steps each day to ensure we are caring for our land, air and water. This new membership benefit is providing cattlemen with risk aversion and management options from an industry expert in a low-pressure atmosphere that will help producers continue to further enhance the beef industry’s commitment to the environment.”



According to Funk, there are a number of reasons why a producer might be contact due to environmental risk factors, including: manure management, facility construction, and livestock mortality. The biggest blind spot for beef producers is open, outdoor lots with the need to control run-off.

“An outdoor lot as a facility opens beef producers to regulatory risk,” Funk said. “Beef producers don’t really go into the business to manage manure and as a facility morphs over time it’s not uncommon to have the potential for run-off into a ditch or stream. It can be a tough situation to handle, but with some forward planning we can anticipate how to comply with regulations.”


Funk also encourages producers get past the mindset that regulators are out to get them. It’s important to look at one’s system objectively and plan to make changes and if these changes are going to require extensive capital then there are cost-share programs available to lessen the burden. And, oftentimes, when a cattleman enters into an EQIP contract with the NRCS it will build credibility with the EPA.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with livestock producers,” Funk said. “I’ve been doing farm visits all over the state as an Extension agricultural engineer for more than thirty years; now that I’ve retired from the University of Illinois and have more time to focus on this type of service, I am sure I can help our Illinois beef producers gain confidence that they are doing the best possible job of environmental stewardship.”


Interested producers should contact the IBA directly to sign up for and schedule the service. For more information, contact Reid Blossom at reid@illinoisbeef.com or 217-787-4280.

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