The Prather Ranch has continuously worked with agencies and organizations
such as NRCS, California Division of Forestry, California Department of Fish
and Game, United States Department of Fish and Wildlife Services, Sacramento
River Watershed Program and the California Rangeland trust, just to name a
few."
The Department of Agriculture and its Center for Dairy Excellence are
working closely with The Pennsylvania State University, the Pennsylvania Dairy
Stakeholders, PennAg Industries and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau to educate
and inform producers about AQCA.

-- Visit Penn State's Nutrient Management site at
http://www.

fmd grassfed

"NRCS has worked extensively with the managers of Prather Ranch, Jim and
Mary Rickert, said Lin Brooks, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Filed
Operations. To benefit land, water, and wildlife resources, Prather Ranch as
participated in a number of USDA's most prominent conservation programs ,
including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Farm and Ranch
Protection Program, Wildlife Incentives Program, Conservation Reserve Program,
and Conservation Technical Assistance Program.

labeling slaughtered

The agreement, which EPA announced on Jan.
Dairy, wine and poultry producers will have until May 1 to decide whether to
participate in the EPA program. More information will be available shortly .

campaigners awic

"It is my wish to leave a legacy of
a ranching operation that is highly sustainable, provides environmental ,
economic and social benefits and is an innovative leader in the cattle
industry.

grassfed rspca

, State Agriculture Secretary
Dennis Wolff today submitted comments on the proposed Air Quality Consent
Agreement (AQCA) to the U.
"Based on the agricultural community's unfamiliarity with this type of
agreement , the technical language of the document and the huge potential
impact a producer's decision to participate might have on future operations,
the Department has urged EPA to extend the 30-day comment and the 90-day sign-
up periods," said Wolff.

certifies campaigners

HARRISBURG, Pa.

avma assuring

They host tours for
organizations including the Hereford Association, California Cattlemen's
Association, Oregon State University, and many high school FFA departments and
4-H clubs. 21,
addresses air emissions from certain animal feeding operations (AFOs).
"While we have suggested an extension to the EPA's sign up period , dairy
and livestock producers should not count on it," Wolff continued.

assuring fmd

Ralphs and Jim +
Mary Rickert families of Fall River Mills, California, have been selected as
the regional winners of the 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award Program
(ESAP). The farm is one of seven regional winners nationwide . One
of the seven regional winners will be selected as the national winner and
announced in February 2006 at NCBA's Annual Convention, also in Denver. "We don't believe that a 'one size
fits all' approach is the appropriate method for air emissions oversight of
Pennsylvania agriculture. "Consider the following questions: Are you willing to risk unknown
future liability versus what the AQCA offers? Is the AQCA an acceptable risk
management tool for you? Whatever you decide, you must do so on or before May
1.nutrient.

rspca bovine

Prather Ranch Is ESAP Region VI Winner

RED BLUFF , Calif.pa.

labeling farming

aha rspca

awic campaigners

Prather Ranch demonstrates how
today's cattlemen utilize creative technologies and innovations to operate a
profitable and environmentally-friendly business. James Rickert, the ranch's environmental and
organic specialist, performs water quality testing to monitor the ranch's tail
water discharge . office at 202-347-0228.

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The prestigious
program, now in its 15th year, is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences L.C. Being environmentally-friendly is a
large part of the philosophy of Prather Ranch and they have incorporated
conservation practices such as rotational grazing, creating wildlife habitat,
limited access cattle watering ramps, manure handling and building a
hydroelectric plant.
Through these programs more than four miles of stock water pipeline and
six miles of cross fencing have been installed and 35 watering troughs were
set up.
"My dream is to own a productive, environmentally progressive operation in
northern California," says Walter Ralphs.
"Only you can decide what is best for your business and its future," said
Wolff.

CONTACT: Kristina L.

certifies fmd

"Instead ,
producers should take the time now before fieldwork begins, to give the AQCA
serious consideration and seek legal counsel if necessary.

employing reared

California Ranch Wins Top Environmental Award

gov. It also offers
protection during the agreement period.

spongiform bovine

"People who
devote their lives to working the land embody the true meaning of
environmentalist. "The Rickerts have been extremely proactive in utilizing NRCS
programs to improve soil, water, air, plant, and animal conditions on both the
deeded and leased Prather Ranch acres. Prather Ranch is committed to
raising beef in a sustainable manner with high environmental standards, which
makes them a leader in their community and in the industry. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part
of the 30-day comment period.

aha accordance

psu. Watson
717-787 -5085

Sites addressing livestock welfare in farming: living conditions, feed, animal transport and slaughter.

transported campaigners

, The Water W.
The annual award program recognizes cattle producers across the nation
whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to
environmental conservation. "These
projects supported ongoing watershed restoration efforts of the Fall River
Resource Conservation District while also improving farm income," Brooks said.
Prather Ranch also cooperates with the local RCD and watershed groups to
implement watershed monitoring. Hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic
compounds, particulate matter and ammonia will be measured.

farming assuring

They were nominated by
the California Cattlemen's Association."
"NRCS has worked cooperatively with Prather Ranch to develop conservation
plans to address several environmental issues important to the landowners,"
said Brooks. Approximately eight miles of riparian buffer has been planted,
complete with six miles of livestock exclusionary fencing.
With their holistic approach to ranching, Prather Ranch has helped the
environment in turn by increasing plant diversity and productivity, sees a 20
to 30 percent return on investment of the hydroelectric plant per year,
provided a clean watering system for livestock and wildlife and created a
friendly environment for wildlife populations. For
additional information on the family or other regional winners, contact NCBA's
D.usda.

bovine differing

More than 98 acres
of riparian habitat were enrolled in 15 year contracts to restore the health
of these area while enhancing water quality and wildlife habitat.C.ca. S.
The Air Quality Compliance Agreement was developed as the federal
government shifts its focus toward air quality and regulation issues."
In deciding whether this is the right decision for an operation, dairy and
livestock producers can utilize the following tools to make an informed
professional decision:

-- Attend the April 4 meeting sponsored by the dairy, poultry and swine
industries in Lancaster.

-- Contact Mike Pechart, at the state Department of Agriculture at
mpechart@state.

These include animals used for meat, eggs, wool, fur and leather.

differing reared

"I encourage livestock farmers and agricultural organizations to review
and comment on the agreement," said Wolf.

reared bse

Administered by the National Cattlemen's Beef
Association (NCBA), Prather Ranch is the sole representative of NCBA's Region
VI, which includes five southwestern states and Hawaii."
The Prather Ranch is a vertically integrated cattle and farming operation,
including cow/calf, feeder, feed yard, slaughter facility and retail meat
outlets . The cattle herd consists of approximately 4,000 head, being grazed on
28,555 acres of deeded and leased land in Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Glenn and
Colusa counties of northern California."
Prather Ranch will be formally recognized as a regional ESAP winner at the
2005 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado on July 28th.edu (the link can be found under 'hot topics
and updates') to find out more information about this agreement.

bovine farming

and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). For these California families, conservation is a lifetime
commitment that has greatly rewarded them. The ranch also works with colleges and universities to help educate young
people about progressive animal husbandry techniques.
"The conservation projects adopted by the Prather Ranch owners are
excellent examples of working lands conservation projects that benefit the
environment while improving critical farm infrastructure," said Brooks.us for more information .

awic grassfed

"The environmental stewardship award program acknowledges cattle producers
who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to preserve natural
resources," explains Stacey Katseanes, coordinator of the program. The
agreement offers producers protection from EPA enforcement of prior air
emissions violations in livestock housing and manure storages. Air emissions from field application
of manure are not part of the agreement.

assuring grassfed

Additional information on NRCS conservation programs and partnerships can
be found at http://www.nrcs.