Illinois Ag Connection - Expo Offers Free Guide to Illinois EPA Livestock Rules

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Expo Offers Free Guide to Illinois EPA Livestock Rules
Illinois Ag Connection - 02/21/2018

The 2018 Illinois Beef Expo being held through Feb. 25 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield offers something for all Illinois beef producers. One of the premier cattle events of the Midwest, the event hosts multiple sales, a junior show for Illinois exhibitors, and a large industry trade show.

Illinois beef producers can also pick up a free resource guide to help them better understand environmental regulations, improve their environmental performance and ultimately help them stay in business.

A free resource guide to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Livestock Rules is available in a swine, beef and dairy version. The Resource Guide helps clarify and simplify the EPA Rules and identifies Best Management Practices (BMPs) for beef farms. The Guide uses real world examples for farmers to follow and relate to their farm.

"Beef producers have to comply with numerous rules and regulations to operate their farms," said Joni Bucher, a beef producer from Good Hope, Ill., and current IL Beef Association (IBA) president. "This Resource Guide helps explain the IL EPA Rules in farmer language and helps them focus in on what needs to be done for their farms to be in compliance."

In August 2014, the Illinois EPA Livestock Rules became effective and parts of the Rules apply to all farms, regardless of their size. The Rules require beef producers to collect, contain and apply manure in a way that does not cause water pollution and prevent any runoff from feedstuffs and feed storage areas, as well as dead animal disposal areas.

"All beef producers regardless of their size have an obligation to optimize their environmental performance and this Resource Guide can help achieve that," said Bucher.

The resource guides are being provided by the collaborative work of the Illinois Agricultural Coalition which includes: IBA, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Milk Producers' Association, and Illinois Pork Producers Association.

Illinois Beef Expo attendees can stop by the IBA booth (#59-60) in Building 110 to get their free copy of the resource guide.

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