The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for the final round of Dairy Plus funding, a grant program that helps dairy farmers invest in advanced manure management technology. In this episode of Seen & Herd, host Amanda Russell sits down with Western United Dairies' Director of Environmental Services and Regulatory Affairs, Paul Sousa, to break down what Dairy Plus covers, which technologies qualify, and how much funding is available before applications close on September 14.

Topics Discussed

0:42  What Dairy Plus is and how it's funded

1:34  Application deadline: September 14

2:00  Why the timing matters given new water qualityregulations

2:50  The whole farm nitrogen balance, explained

4:02  How Dairy Plus differs from manure separators fundedthrough AMMP

5:02  Eligible technologies: vermifiltration, weeping wallseparation, flocculant- or bead-assisted separation, and centrifuge separation

5:47  Pairing Dairy Plus technology with a digester(optional, not required)

6:10  Add-on components: composting and subsurface dripirrigation

7:15  CDQAP field day, July 23, Stanislaus County

7:53  CDQAP webinar, July 30, on choosing the righttechnology

9:12  Is Dairy Plus right for every dairy?

10:22  Funding details: up to $1.25 million per project, nomatching funds required, capped at $750 per cow

11:05  First steps for dairy farmers who think Dairy Plusmight be a fit

12:06  Why contacting your equipment vendor early matters

13:01  Where to find the official Request for GrantApplications

Resources & Links

• Dairy Plus Request for Grant Applications

• CDQAP flyer on Dairy Plus technologies

• CDQAP July 30 webinar registration

• Contact Paul Sousa: [email protected]

Western United Dairies CEO Anja Raudabaugh joins the podcast to cover three pressing topics: a confirmed New World Screwworm detection in Texas and what it means for California dairy operations, two new State Farmer Field Representatives joining the WUD team, and a quick read on the state budget and what's moving and stalling in Sacramento.

New World Screwworm: What You Need to Know

A confirmed case of New World Screwworm was detected in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, on the evening of June 2nd. USDA and CDFA have activated response protocols, and while there are no confirmed cases in California, dairy farmers who move animals in and out of Texas need to act now.

California movement requirements from the infected zone:

• A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) must include a statement that all animals were inspected and found free of screwworm infestation
• A California entry permit must be requested from CDFA at least 48–72 hours before movement begins; the permit number must appear on the CVI
• Animals must be individually inspected within five days of arrival by an authorized inspector
• Animals must receive treatment effective against screwworm (note: topical treatments are not an option for lactating dairy cows — talk to your herd vet)
• Animals must have official individual ID (premises ID from origin)
• Animals going to slaughter within 72 hours of inspection are exempt from treatment requirements

What to watch for on your operation:

• Inspect mucous membranes, mouth, eyes, nose, anus, mammary glands, genitalia, and any open wound sites (navels on newborns, dehorning and castration sites, tick bites)
• Signs of infestation: animals scratching or rubbing at wounds, foul-smelling discharge, or visible larvae
• Do not move potentially infested animals without contacting CDFA first
• Continue and reinforce fly control practices — sprays, fans, and minimizing wound risk

Who to call: Start with your herd vet. They will contact CDFA, who will engage USDA/APHIS if needed.

This situation is evolving. Check WUD's website and weekly newsletter for updates. Additional resources and CDFA's recommended actions for producers will be linked below.

🔗 Previous Screwworm Podcast Article🔗 CDFA Advisory

New Faces at Western: Meet Jimmy and Andrew

Western United Dairies has hired two new State Farmer Field Representatives — one for the North State and one for the South — bringing deep, on-the-ground dairy experience to the membership.

• Jimmy Burrows — North State Field Representative📧 [email protected]

• Andrew Brazil — South State Field Representative📧 [email protected]

Both reps are currently doing outreach and getting to know the membership. Reach out, even just to say hello.

Sacramento Update: Budget Tight, Decisions Delayed

Governor Newsom is pushing for a more balanced budget than last year, and the pressure is real — the state is estimated to be somewhere between $9–18 billion in the negative. The statutory deadline for new legislation passed last week, and agency budget requests are facing significant pushback.

Connect with WUD📧 [email protected]🌐 wudairies.com

BioFiltro is back on Seen & Herd, and a lot has changed since their last conversation with Paul Sousa, Western's Director of Environmental Services and Regulatory Affairs. Steve Rowe, BioFiltro's board chairman, and Sanjar Taromi, their livestock lead, return to give a ground-level update on where vermifiltration stands in California's Central Valley and why the timing of this episode matters.

The short version: Vermifiltration uses worm beds to treat dairy wastewater. The longer version is why it's worth paying attention to right now.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Where BioFiltro stands today: 4 operating systems in California, 4 under construction (including a 10,000-head open lot dairy in Pixley), and 6 more in permitting
• How the economics actually work: BioFiltro covers nearly all CapEx and 90% of OpEx under 20-year agreements funded through carbon credit arrangements; dairies primarily cover ongoing electrical costs
• Post-digester applications: BioFiltro's first post-digester vermifiltration system is up and running in Chowchilla, opening the door for dairies dealing with higher ammonia and nutrient loads on the back end of digestion
• The regulatory landscape: CV Salts, the State Water Board remand order, CARB's SB 1383 rulemaking on livestock methane, and whole-farm nitrogen balance requirements are all converging; this system addresses multiple pressure points at once
• The numbers: 90% reduction in manure methane, 75–90% reduction in nitrogen load, early data showing up to a 60% reduction in hospital pen time on some dairies, and real-world reports of reduced groundwater pumping
• Dairy Plus grant applications: expected to open in June, with a 90-day window; this is the final round of the $85M USDA-funded program administered through CDPHE; vermifiltration is a fundable practice
• What to do right now: reach out to BioFiltro or Paul at Western before the application window opens, not after

Guests:

• Steve Rowe, Board Chairman, BioFiltro
• Sandra Taromi, Livestock Lead, BioFiltro

Resources & Contacts:

• BioFiltro: Website | Contact Sanjar at [email protected]
• Western United Dairies: [email protected]
• Questions about Dairy Plus applications? Contact Paul Sousa at Western United at [email protected]

Seen & Herd is brought to you by Western United Dairies.

Amanda sits down with Paul Sousa, WUD's Director of Environmental Services and Regulatory Affairs, to review the environmental presentation delivered at the recent Board of Directors meeting.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) & Dairy MethaneCARB is now actively developing dairy-specific methane regulations. Rule development begins in 2025, with regulations coming to the board by 2028 and implementation targeted around 2030. CARB is currently seeking stakeholder input on emissions measurement, mitigation strategies, and regulatory structure. The comment deadline has been extended to May 29th. WUD is preparing comments and encourages member input.

• SB 1383: Passed in 2016, SB 1383 requires dairies to reduce manure methane emissions 40% from a 2013 baseline by 2030. According to Paul, California dairies have already met that target.

• External Pressure: A recent Stanford Law School paper critiqued water quality regulation implementation for dairies statewide. Paul's take: largely recycled findings, low media traction. The message for producers isn't panic. It's making sure your operation stays in compliance.

Water Quality UpdatesNorth Coast: WUD submitted a draft groundwater work plan in September and is awaiting feedback from the regional board. A formal extension request is being filed. Central Valley: The CV Salts program is moving forward in the Modesto Groundwater Sub-basin, offering a 35-year extension on nitrate limits. A board vote is expected in June. State Water Board Remand Order: Still no update. Use this time to get your dairy in order, especially around whole-farm nitrogen balance.

Research Funding: Funds remaining from the former state pooling and marketing branches may be directed to the California Dairy Research Foundation via a grant process. An industry panel may be created to guide project selection. Priority areas include water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and technologies that address both.

AB 411: Carcass Composting: CDPHE is developing BMPs required before dairies can begin on-farm carcass composting. Their initial framing raised concerns; WUD has pushed back and is making progress toward ensuring the BMPs reflect the law's actual intent.

Tricolored Blackbird Funding: It's nesting season. If Tricolored Blackbirds are nesting in your silage fields, you may need to delay harvest. NRCS is offering $945 per acre in compensation this year. Paul is doing outreach directly to affected producers.

Dairy Plus Program: Final RoundDairy Plus is expected to open in June with a 90-day application window, funding weeping walls, vermin filtration, and advanced manure separation technologies. This is the last round. Start now: identify your challenge, research the right technology, and talk to vendors before the window opens.

Questions? Reach out to Paul Souza directly by email or phone. Contact info: [email protected]

Resources:Dairy Plus: Opening approx. June 2025NRCS Blackbird Funding: $945/acre, contact Paul for details

In this episode of Seen & Herd, Tiffany LaMendola is joined by Katie Burgess of Ever.Ag to break down the growing role of Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) in today’s dairy economy—and why more producers are paying attention.

With calf and cull cow values near record highs, livestock income has become an increasingly important piece of the dairy revenue puzzle. Katie walks through how LRP works, how it compares to familiar programs like DRP, and why now may be a smart time to consider locking in price floors while markets are strong.

The conversation dives into:

• How LRP helps protect calf and cull cow values in a volatile market

• Why dairy-beef cross calves are a key opportunity for risk management

• How producers can “layer” coverage to fit their budget and calving schedule

• Recent program improvements—and what’s coming next for expanded coverage

Even in strong markets, unexpected swings can happen. This episode offers practical insight to help dairy producers stay prepared, protect margins, and make more confident decisions heading into the months ahead.

In this episode of Seen & Herd, Western United Dairies CEO Anja Raudabaugh joins the show for a wide-ranging policy and advocacy update. The conversation covers California’s growing budget deficit, key legislative priorities impacting dairy farmers, and the ongoing fight to secure funding for water quality and groundwater recharge projects. Anja also breaks down Governor Newsom’s new statewide water plan and what it could mean for agriculture.

The episode also addresses a rise in activist activity targeting dairies, including protests, drone surveillance, and staged campaigns, and what farmers should do if they see suspicious behavior.

To report a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR), click here.

In this episode, we break down key regulatory and policy updates from recent WUD board discussions and February CDFA meetings that California dairy producers should have on their radar. We cover truck compliance deadlines with CARB, changes to water rights reporting through CalWATRS, groundwater and CV-Salts updates, and what’s next for Dairy Plus funding. We also walk through the latest Producer Review Board actions, including vacancies, leftover pooling and marketing funds, hardship petitions, and the decision to suspend the quota administrative fee after February. If you’re trying to keep up with deadlines, funding opportunities, and what these decisions actually mean for your operation, this episode helps connect the dots.

If you have questions for Paul, he can be reached at [email protected].

The beginning of the year brings a wave of reporting deadlines for California dairies, and missing one can mean delayed registrations, penalties, or bigger compliance headaches down the road.

In this episode of Seen & Herd, we’re joined by Paul Sousa to break down several key reporting requirements dairies should be paying attention to right now, including Clean Truck Check compliance, Low-Use Exemption annual reporting under the Truck and Bus Rule, and surface water rights reporting.

Paul explains who each requirement applies to, common issues members are running into, what’s changed this year, and what to do if you’re feeling behind or overwhelmed. If compliance is on your plate this winter, this episode will help you prioritize and take the next right step.

If you have questions for Paul, you can reach him at [email protected].

In this episode of Seen & Herd, Paul Sousa breaks down the two biggest water-quality regulatory shifts coming for Central Valley dairies: the State Water Board’s Remand Order and the CV-SALTS process. He explains what’s changing, why it matters, and how producers can start preparing now—from nitrogen tracking and lagoon requirements to the new whole-farm balance approach. If water quality rules feel overwhelming, this episode translates them into plain language and actionable insight.

This week on Seen & Herd, Western United Dairies’ Paul Sousa joins the show to unpack California’s new Clean Truck Check rule — a regulation catching many dairy producers by surprise. The program, managed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), now requires most heavy-duty diesel trucks to complete regular emissions testing to stay registered with the DMV.

Paul walks listeners through what the rule means for farm-owned trucks, how to register in the CARB database, and how to avoid common mistakes — like using unofficial websites or missing renewal deadlines. He also explains how the rules apply to trucks with special equipment plates and shares insights on how WUD is helping members navigate these changes.

For more information, visit cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov or contact Paul Sousa at (209) 556-2490 or [email protected].