Western United Dairies

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Modesto, CA
Western United Dairies

Western United Dairies is a voluntary membership organization representing more than 60% of the milk Dairy Family and Global Health Advocate

05/26/2026

The worms are working, and there's grant money on the table to help pay for it.

BioFiltro is back on Seen & Herd with a full update on how vermifiltration is playing out on real California dairies. Paul Sousa digs into the details that actually matter: what it costs (hint: not much out of pocket), what it does for water quality and methane, and what early reports are showing about cow health and groundwater pumping.

Dairy Plus applications open in June. This is the last round. Vermifiltration is eligible.
Start the conversation now, not when the window opens.

🎧 Listen: https://buff.ly/ku0tiec

05/22/2026

ATTENTION CENTRAL VALLEY DAIRY FARMERS

On June 3, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will consider the Modesto Management Zone plan and Nitrate Control Program amendments. This action sets a precedent for other priority zones - including areas that affect dairies in the Turlock, Chowchilla, Kings, Tule, and Kaweah subbasins.

On the table is a 35-year compliance timeline that gives producers the runway to meet nitrate groundwater standards while keeping safe drinking water flowing today.

Producers can attend in person or remotely and provide testimony. If you'd like talking points, contact Paul Sousa at WUD. We'll share the agenda once it's posted (link in comments).

05/21/2026

Weekly News Roundup You Need:

- June 3 Water Hearing: The Central Valley Water Board will consider nitrate rules that set the template for management zones across the valley. If you farm in the Modesto, Turlock, Chowchilla, Kings, Tule, or Kaweah subbasins, this one's worth your attention.

- Dairy at the Table: WUD has joined California's new Water Plan 2028 Advisory Committee, helping shape the state's long-term water strategy.

Full breakdown in this week's update (link in comments).

05/11/2026

Healthy soil supports healthy groundwater.

And groundwater stability supports the infrastructure we all depend on.

By improving nutrient management at the source, vermifiltration contributes to broader water resilience efforts across California.

05/08/2026

Measured results from California vermifiltration systems demonstrate meaningful reductions in nutrients and methane through aerobic biological processing.

It’s not a replacement for other systems.

It’s an additional biological tool supporting water quality and nutrient management efforts.

05/06/2026

Vermifiltration produces treated water and worm castings, a stable soil amendment.

Instead of treating nutrients as waste, the system helps convert organic material into a usable resource.

It’s one tool in a broader manure management toolbox, practical, measurable, and already in use.

05/05/2026

We're excited about the other new addition to our team, Andrew Brazil, as our South State Farmer Representative 👏

In this role, Andrew will serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for dairy farmers across Southern California. He will work directly with farmers to support the implementation of key programs, including water supply and watershed incentives, Landflex initiatives, SGMA compliance, vermifiltration and water quality enhancement projects, on-farm recharge practices, and air quality initiatives.

“Andrew’s extensive background working directly with Groundwater Sustainability Agencies makes him an ideal addition to the WUD team," said Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies.

05/04/2026

Join us in welcoming Jimmy Burroughs as our new North State Farmer Representative 👋

Jimmy brings 30+ years of real-world dairy experience to support producers across Northern California. In this role, Jimmy will work directly with producers to support the implementation of key programs, including water quality permitting, the Dairy Farmer Technical Assistance Program (DTAP), vermifiltration and water quality enhancement projects, on-farm recharge practices, manure management systems, and air quality initiatives.

“Jimmy is exactly the kind of leader our North State producers need and an outstanding addition to the WUD team," said Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies.

05/01/2026

Before we talk about advocacy, this is what you get with your WUD membership: Hands-on support to help dairies stay compliant, reduce risk, and keep operating.

Your membership works for YOU every day.

04/30/2026

How does vermifilitration work?

Manure water enters the filtration bed.

As it moves through layers populated by worms and microbes, nutrients are stabilized, and solids are broken down.

Within 4 hours, treated water exits the system.

Address

1315 K Street
Modesto, CA
95354

Telephone

(209) 527-6453

Website

https://wudairies.com/

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